The VISN 19 Network Office Health System Specialist provides support to health care management officials by analyzing, evaluating, advising on and/or coordinating health care delivery systems and operations. The position renders advice on operational policies and assures these policies are coordinated with, and in support of, field operations and assures that operational policies are coordinated with and in support of administrative functions.

Duties

The VISN 19 Network Office Health System Specialist functions as the primary liaison to multiple staff offices and serves as the conduit for information flow and management of assignments between such offices. Major duties include but are not limited to: Monitors and manages incoming actions and requests from initial receipt to completion and closeout. Analyzes the subject matter of incoming information for appropriate distribution to offices internal or external to the office. Receives and monitors completed actions or responses; analyzes responses for completeness and accuracy against known policies and procedures; and ensures action or inquiry is closed out with the inquirer or office. Conducts or participates in special information flow studies, analyses, presentations and briefings, as assigned. Conducts analytical studies on particular operational processes, issue topics, or related special projects. Develops position papers and decision documents representing the position of the organization on a variety of complex and sensitive issues such as the quality or timeliness of veteran care issues within the system or at times, issues of Congressional or media interest. Works in coordination with other internal reviewing services regarding complex audits and internal/external reviews of a national concern; i. e, fiscal efficiencies and organizational structure that are reviewed by prominent parties such as the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Tracks both routine and uncommon deadlines initiated by OIG/GAO and internal reviewing officials to ensure timely submission of responses and actions. Communicates with responsible staff agency members to ensure completion of all requested actions and appropriately closes out all requests. Works closely with senior management and others in implementing and evaluating policies, plans, and internal operational systems such as correspondence management, information tracking among pertinent offices and stakeholders, and internal/external communication flows. Contacts and engages frequently with staff at all levels to facilitate the work of the office related to a variety of operations-focused assignments and projects initiated by senior leadership or program offices, or departmental offices. Functions in myriad roles by contacting and engaging with various administrative program officials within Headquarters and in the field to manage, coordinate, and complete various assignments or projects that involve or are initiated by these officials. 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, 8:00am-4:30pm 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 typically a virtual position, but may be available for a highly qualified candidate Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD12960-A/12961-A/12627-A 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, 09/15/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Basic Individual Occupational Requirements: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. 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. *Special Provision for lnservice 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 above Basic Individual Occupation Required, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience for GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but not limited to; conducting or participating in special information flow studies, analyses, presentations and briefings; functioning as the primary liaison to facilities and multiple staff offices; working closely with senior management and others in implementing and evaluating policies, plans, and internal operational systems such as correspondence management, information tracking among pertinent offices and stakeholders, and internal/external communication flows; collaborating with Network senior leadership, all Clinical/Administrative program managers/staff to function as a central point for information management and to provide critical analysis, overview, and oversight to senior leadership; conducting analytical studies on operational processes, issue topics, or related special projects. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have PhD. or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the Health Systems Specialist position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Specialized Experience for 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 not limited to; conducting or participating in special information flow studies, analyses, presentations and briefings; functioning as the primary liaison to facilities and multiple staff offices; working closely with senior management and others in implementing and evaluating policies, plans, and internal operational systems such as correspondence management, information tracking among pertinent offices and stakeholders, and internal/external communication flows; collaborating with Network senior leadership, functioning as a central point for information management and to provide critical analysis, overview, and oversight to senior leadership; conducting analytical studies on operational processes, issue topics, or related special projects. Specialized Experience for GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but not limited to; conducting or participating in special information flow studies, analyses, presentations and briefings; functioning as the primary liaison to facilities and multiple staff offices; working closely with senior management and others in implementing and evaluating policies, plans, and internal operational systems such as correspondence management, information tracking among pertinent offices and stakeholders, and internal/external communication flows; collaborating with Network senior leadership, functioning as a central point for information management and to provide critical analysis, overview, and oversight to senior leadership; conducting analytical studies on operational processes, issue topics, or related special projects; developing position papers and decision documents representing the position of the organization on a variety of complex and sensitive issues such as, issues of Congressional or media interest that have significant system wide/organizational impact and may involve several functional areas; functioning in myriad roles by contacting and engaging with various administrative program officials within Headquarters and in the field to manage, coordinate, and complete various assignments or projects that involve or are initiated by these officials; Analyzing the subject matter of incoming information and actions received and monitoring completed actions or responses; analyzing responses for completeness and accuracy against known policies and procedures; and ensuring action or inquiry is closed out with the inquirer or office; maintaining portfolio of assigned health care system to act as critical liaison between Network Headquarters, Program Managers, VHA Program Offices and the field. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationCritical ThinkingCustomer ServiceOrganizational Awareness 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

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.

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 VISN 19 VA Rocky Mountain Network 4100 E Mississippi Ave Glendale, CO 80246 US
• Name: Rebecca Sessions
• Email: [email protected]