The Program Application Specialist (Software Support) serves as the integrator that coordinates the business process and software functions. The primary function of this position ensures the business process is in place to support the implementation of new and updated information technology systems. Position highly involved in scheduling audits and clinic profile management for building and adjusting capacity.

Duties

The Program Application Specialist (Software Support) provides business oversight for a variety of software programs integral to the overall administration and operations of the business. Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as the functional "expert" for matters relating to the Patient Information Management System (PIMS) core package. Responsible for the coordination and training for service and facility staff in business and functional areas for various information technology Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) packages. Coordinates with the responsible office(s) for medical center workload to ensure the accuracy of the data in VISTA Ensures the accuracy of reports such as the Gains and Losses, and AMIS reports. Provides testing of new options and software versions prior to implementation to gain familiarity with the new product features and confirm that software is working according to specifications. Provides staff support to Office of Information and Technology (OI & T) by providing information and analysis of software functions within the service. Responsible for designating and preparing data management analyses, special studies, and reports for use by top management for budget preparation, workload projections, and quality assurance and utilization reviews. May be assigned to cover the Clinic Grid Team responsibilities. This team oversees the Clinic Profiles for the facility. Receives and processes new profiles and revisions to existing clinical profiles from various clinical services in the Medical Center using a web-based tracking system to set up the clinics, assign DSS stop codes and encounter forms. Manages the cancellation and restoration of clinics for the facility and coordinates with the Central Call Center and with clinical managers to reschedule cancelled appointments as necessary. Provides training and troubleshooting for clinical and administrative staff in business processes and associated supporting software. Key point of contact responsible for assuring that all information technology equipment with the service is operational and functions and coordinates with OI & T equipment replacement/installation with all other services. Collects physical and data security needs for the service areas and collects individual needs to determine menu access for staff, Regional Office employees, and employees from VISN VA facilities. Ensures OI & T assigns appropriate access to terminal and file codes for the purpose of controlling access to the patient and medical records. Participates in the establishment of administrative qualitative standards; the objective of which is intended to improve programs, facilities and operations. Maintains a close working relationship with various program officials, this, in addition to his/her knowledge based on personal observation and understanding of management practices, results in effective and practical qualitative standards. Coordinates and provides recommendations in the application of standards that affect the service. Coordinates ongoing data collection and basic analysis and uses knowledge of System Redesign principles to determine organization performance. Conducts business process modeling, projects and studies that will impact on the overall functions of the services in such areas as, policy development and implementation, work methodology, processes, streamlining, etc. 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 through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm 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 Ad-Hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Applications Specialist/PD40652A and PD40651A 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, 11/16/2023. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-7 Minimum Qualifications Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: uses computer software to complete documents and spreadsheets; analyzes work processes and make suggestions for process improvement; provide administrative support to a program and achieve the overall goal; and possesses effective communication skills in order to presenting information clearly to management, medical center staff, and members of the public. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate level education or a bachelor's degree and have superior academic achievement. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree. AND/OR GS-9 Minimum Qualifications 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: performs work related to development of program information and resource materials, such as hard copy and computer-based brochures and reports, etc.; conducts analysis of administrative work processes in the programs to identify, analyze, and recommend solutions to problems in staffing, administrative procedures, work processes, or workload distribution facilitate, coordinate, and manage the various programs and achieve the overall goal; applies analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations; and possesses effective communication skills in order to presenting information clearly to management, medical center staff, and members of the public. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or masters or equivalent graduate degree, or an Legum Baccalaureus (LL.B). or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. 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 one year of graduate level education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: AccountabilityRequirements AnalysisSystems ThinkingTechnical CompetenceTechnical Problem 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: Regular and recurring work is mostly sedentary involving sitting at a desk, although the position requires the ability to move from one geographic location of the facility to another. The incumbent works with a computer screen and keyboard. Some physical effort such as standing, walking, bending or prolonged sitting may be required. 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Christine Thompson
• Phone: (415) 740-4399
• Email: [email protected]