Program Specialist

Program Specialist

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/ PD149600

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Develops and refines facility-wide processes, instructions, and procedures to improve integration, performance, and standardization across healthcare system. Ensures alignment with directives, laws, statutes, and VHA guidance, and supports the creation, management, and submission of implementation plans and policy documents essential to operationalizing programs.

Advises and assists staff at all levels-working closely with Service Chiefs, program managers, supervisors, and frontline employees-to strengthen policies and directives that influence patient care, performance outcomes, and clinical operations. The position requires researching, analyzing, interpreting, and applying laws, regulations, policies, and evidence-based guidance to produce policies that safeguard Veteran information and enhance operations.

Contributes to accreditation activities, supports logistics for site visits and inspections, develops responses to Office of Inspector General (OIG) referrals and status requests, and manages action items stemming from survey findings.

Provides expert guidance to senior leaders on organizational policies and governance. Ensures accreditation requirements are met and required documentation is properly maintained.

Analyzes organizational structures, functions, and workflows to resolve complex issues affecting major programs.

Develops and recommends new policies and improvements to enhance organizational effectiveness.

Supports the coordination, drafting, and submission of policy documents for multi-disciplinary operations.

Assists in developing concepts and initiatives that evolve into practical proposals for testing and change, helping shape and update policies to meet the future needs of healthcare systems.

Serves as the technical advisor and subject matter expert for all policy and directive management across healthcare system.

Mentors and guides disciplines in producing compliant policies, directives, procedures, and programs needed for a fully functional governance structure.

Creates administrative policies and documents when appropriate, such as Employee Handbooks. Develops healthcare system policy and directive procedures in alignment with Department and Administration requirements and ensures their effective implementation.

Supports service line by managing all accreditation survey logistics, including preparation, scheduling, site-visit coordination, and handling OIG data requests and submissions.

Serves as the OIG liaison, prepares agendas, coordinates key staff involvement, and oversees OIG status reports, action plans, and responses to Veteran complaint referrals.

US Department of Veterans Affairs