Deputy Director of Health Policy

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Deputy Director of Health Policy position is located in Washington, D.C. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the operations of Health Policy section of The American Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Division. Develop policy and activities relative to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Serve as an advocate for veterans to Congress, the VA and other organizations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Serve as the resident expert on the VA health benefits, medical conditions and treatments, and wellness programs, policies and regulations.
2. Advise the VA&R Director on technical information related to VA’s healthcare system.
3. Supervise and oversee programs within the Health Policy portfolio including, but not limited to community care; mental health; military exposures; polytrauma/TBI; rehabilitation services and prosthetic services; spinal cord injuries and disorders; telehealth; and women’s health issues.
4. Review, revise, and develop procedures and programs, as a proponent of quality of care at VA medical facilities, including The American Legion’s System Worth Saving (SWS) program.
5. Develop, analyze and coordinate short-, mid- and long-term plans for The American Legion’s programs.
6. Research and develop new policies, and initiate revisions to existing documents, ensuring The American Legion’s positions remain contemporary.
7. Prepare information for legislative mandates and monitor VA healthcare-related mandates presented to Congress.
8. Prepare and deliver Congressional testimony on behalf of the national organization.
9. Conduct and oversee research, studies and surveys that assist in the development of legislation or policy on veteran’s health care.
10. Serve as a liaison with VA Central Office, Veterans Health Administration and VA staff offices.
11. Provide support to VA&R Commission, VA&R Commission Executive Committee, VA&R Commission Liaison Committee, Health Administration Committee, and VA&R Council.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP (reports directly to): Director of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

MINIMUM SKILLS REQUIRED FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Education/Technical Knowledge:

College education – Graduate degree preferred

Clinical background preferred

Additional Skills Needed:

• Have knowledge of VA health benefits and services, and a basic understanding of VA disability compensation claims process.
• Communicate effectively verbally in a diverse range of settings and audiences.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills.
• Demonstrate management skills to include coaching, mentoring, counseling and evaluating employees.
• Able to evaluate fiscal and financial reports, forms and data, and analyze complex written documents.
• Capable of interpreting legal documents and government regulations.
• Strong organizational, project, time management, and problem solving skills.
• Able to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with military and veterans protocol, culture and language.
• Knowledge of The American Legion organizational structure, programs, services and policies.
• Must have good computer skills to include MS Office Suite.

Experience:

5 yrs up to 8 yrs

Supervision of Others:

The position is responsible for recommendations in the areas of compensation, staff selection, disciplinary action, complaints, employee performance appraisal, and similar supervisory duties for a work unit. Plans, assigns and evaluates the work of subordinates while performing limited technical work not related to supervision. Supervises one or more functional supervisors.

OTHER JOB RELATED FACTORS:

Problem Solving:

Involves studies of a theoretical nature with complex tangible and intangible data.

Impact of Decisions:

Work involves opportunities for errors in the soundness and timing of judgments that would have a serious short-term effect on overall operations and budgets.

Internal and Public Contacts:

Outside organization which could affect the prestige of the organization and would involve influencing various citizens, the community, and a Commission or Committee.

Physical Factors and Working Conditions:

The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, either corrective or uncorrected. Working conditions are within a well-lighted air-conditioned office environment. Employee may frequently travel. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the physical demands of the job.