The primary purpose of this position is to implement a Performance Improvement program at the Health Care System level. The position is responsible for delivering Performance Improvement techniques to a broad array of program and services throughout the Medical Center, including Lean, Six Sigma, Coaching, Project Management, and Training. Additional functions of the position involve advising leadership in the formulation of planning complex facility wide Strategic Plans

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Uses knowledge of the mission, organization, and program requirements of healthcare delivery systems, the VA system in general and the local facility in particular to define a project scope and goals through a collaborative process and provide consultation to executive, service line, and program leadership. Uses knowledge of hospital operations, policies and procedures as well as VA regulations, policies, and program guidelines to identify projects the improving quality outcomes and maximize return on investment of utilized resources. Uses knowledge of clinical practice guidelines and guidelines designed by healthcare improvement organization to collect, analyze, and present data for performance improvement studies and projects. Acts as the project lead for healthcare and operational improvement projects impacting patient care delivery systems and functions throughout the medical center. Facilitates, coaches, and trains audiences at all levels of the organizations throughout the lifecycle of a performance improvement project. Organizes, directs, controls and coordinates group activities in a timely and effective manner. Uses diplomacy and tact during contacts with all customers. Maintains a level of professionalism during contact with customers. Acts as an agent for process improvement. Analyzes and interprets complex requirements and recommendations in order to assist in the design of processes. Ability to listen well, write with clarity, and speak effectively to small and large groups. 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 - Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm; subject to change based on the needs of the facility Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Systems Specialist/PD03817A, PD03818A, and PDS0012A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/20/2023. One of the following Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) must be met: Education: An undergraduate/graduate education with a major study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. Note: Transcripts required. OR, Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. Note: This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable. OR Special Provision for Inservice Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. In addition to the IOR, You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and implement program elements to align and meet organizational goals. Includes review and revision of existing policies and or ability to develop new policies and procedures. Specific knowledge in the area of project improvement and development. Familiarity with MS Office excel, MS Teams, VA software and data entry; Knowledge of problem resolution, service recovery, and development of recommendations to senior leaders to resolve specific issues related to customer service, patient experience, and organizational performance; Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing different backgrounds, interests and points of view. This factor includes the ability to deal with others in person-to-person relationships, to reconcile differing viewpoints, to express ideas, orally and in writing to persuade others and to deal with pressure situations, etc. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education substitution. Specialized Experience GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and implement program elements to align and meet organizational goals. Includes review and revision of existing policies and or ability to develop new policies and procedures. Specific knowledge in the area of project improvement and development. Familiarity with MS Office excel, MS Teams, VA software and data entry; Knowledge of problem resolution, service recovery, and development of recommendations to senior leaders to resolve specific issues related to customer service, patient experience, and organizational performance; Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing different backgrounds, interests and points of view. This factor includes the ability to deal with others in person-to-person relationships, to reconcile differing viewpoints, to express ideas, orally and in writing to persuade others and to deal with pressure situations, etc. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education substitution. Specialized Experience GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and implement program elements to align and meet organizational goals. Includes review and revision of existing policies and or ability to develop new policies and procedures. Specific knowledge in the area of project improvement and development. Familiarity with MS Office excel, MS Teams, VA software and data entry; Knowledge of problem resolution, service recovery, and development of recommendations to senior leaders to resolve specific issues related to customer service, patient experience, and organizational performance; Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing different backgrounds, interests and points of view. This factor includes the ability to deal with others in person-to-person relationships, to reconcile differing viewpoints, to express ideas, orally and in writing to persuade others and to deal with pressure situations, etc. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications and MediaCustomer ServiceLeadershipOrganizational Awareness Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

Education Substitution for the GS-09 level:

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have have successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree, successfully completed two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, LL.B or J.D. if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

Education substitution for the GS-11 level:

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have have successful completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

There is not education substitution for the GS-12 level.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Mark Johnson
• Phone: 318-272-2896
• Email: [email protected]