The Health Benefits Advisor (HBA) is located within the Eligibility & Enrollment section of Erie VA Medical Center. Organizationally, the HBA reports to the Supervisor of Enrollment & Eligibility, subordinate to the Chief of Business Operations. The primary function of this position is to perform adjudication of a final federal VHA benefit entitlement.

Duties

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Health Benefits Assistant/PD01769A and PD01769A Incumbent will be developed and expected to perform as an expert in the Eligibility & Enrollment section and works independently to screen, advise and assist veterans and other beneficiaries seeking medical treatment, and process applications for enrollment or updates. Duties include but not limited to:

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes but not limited to: updating and verifying demographic information creating electronic medical records utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook to complete assignments providing administrative support providing guidance regarding eligibility inquiries. OR, GS-05: Substitution of Education for Experience (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED): Do you possess Four (4) years of education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. OR, GS-05: Combination of Education and Experience (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIED): Do you possess a combination of successfully completed education and experience to meet the total experience requirements. (i.e. 6 months of specialized experience and 3 years of education above the high school level). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Decision SupportProblem Solving 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily a sedentary position. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. But, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small items, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Concentration and sustained performance under potential stress of accuracy and deadlines is required because of factors involved in completion of various complex work assignments. Work Environment: Incumbent works in an office setting. The areas are well lighted, ventilated, and airconditioned. Outside noise interference is reduced to a minimum. The work may involve stress, exposure to communicable diseases, and/or verbal abuse caused by disturbed or agitated Veterans or their families, suffering from PTSD, dementia, or other mental or physical traumas. Work may occasionally be away from local work center/outside the VA to represent the VA Medical Center as an authoritative reference on VHA Eligibility and Enrollment items by participating in community outreach events. 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

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.

Contacts

• Address Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Margie Brooks
• Phone: (412) 822-1090
• Email: [email protected]