The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service.

Duties

This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program. The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion. For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/. Interacts with diverse groups at all levels of the Medical Center on a day-to-day basis along with other federal and non-federal agencies. Supports Executive Leadership in planning, organizing, evaluating, advising and coordinating administrative activities. Gather data to assist Executive Leadership with resource allocation decisions to include FTEE ceiling, salary budget, supply budget, equipment budget, space utilization, maintenance contracts, etc. Attends budget review meetings, committee meetings and report how decisions are made during those meetings that impact operations. Uses technical skills and scientific methodologies to resolve critical programmatic, organizational an functional problems. Develops health-planning strategies and assess priorities relative to the mission of the VA, the Network, and the Medical Center. Prepares a variety of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reports; identifies and analyzes trends; and makes recommendations for corrective action. Evaluates program effectiveness focusing on the delivery of program benefits or services at the Medical Center operating level. Applies regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups to reconcile contradictory requirements in preparing staff recommendations and/or in coordinating clinical and administrative services; ability to communicate effectively with each in order to gather information, present recommendations, and coordinate services. Analyze problems and present both written and oral recommendations taking into full consideration the wide range of factors and requirements which affect the management of the health care delivery system. Works with team to plan and carry out more commonly encountered work problems and deviations and brings controversial information or findings to the supervisor's attention for direction. Applies established analytical techniques to problem and issues that are more technical rather than advisory in nature and chooses a course of action from many a team initiatives. Work Schedule: Flexible Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD521-10365-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Be at least 16 years old (by closing date of this vacancy announcement)
• Accepted for/currently enrolled in a qualified educational institution
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/15/2023. Internship Program: To be eligible, applicants must be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled. You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS- 07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: planning, organizing, evaluating, advising and coordinating administrative activities; maintain working relationship with facility managers; develop health-planning strategies and assess priorities relative to the mission OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree OR, 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR, LL.B. or J.D., if related. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementAnalysis and Problem SolvingCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical) 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/. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.

Education

If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Janette Shanks
• Phone: (404) 321-6111 X204030
• Email: [email protected]