This is a developmental position located within the Health Administration Service, aligned under the Outreach Program/Enrollment Eligibility for the Montana VA Health Care System. This position provides specific information and comprehensive assistance to Veterans, their dependents and beneficiaries. Responsible for providing full staff assistance on administrative matters between Veterans Health Administration, Montana Healthcare System and Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Assists the outreach coordinator with post-deployment health reassessments. Develops a network relationship with the state and private Veterans' organizations to broaden the scope of outreach and increase the community awareness of the role VA plays in being a resource to that community. Serves as a resource for the Veteran community by participating in events and programs, such as Armed Forces Day booths, Veterans' Organization seminars, etc. Establishes outreach service provision with military installations, Reserve and National Guard facilities within a designated geographical area. Develops and distributes outreach materials to include brochures, fact sheets, web content and other targeted information which highlights Vet Center services and locations. Organizes and participates in a myriad of community activities and events that have high probability of GWOT, OEF, OIF and OND Veterans present such as "Welcome Home" parades and picnics, Veteran Service organization meetings and events. Councils Veterans, their dependents and their beneficiaries regarding all benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as non-VA benefits available through other agencies. Explores all avenues of assistance and takes positive action to encourage individuals to fully utilize the available benefits and to participate in programs. Directly involved in Patient Business Office activities, beneficiary travel, correspondence, decedent affairs, eligibility, medical information, and patient care services to include facility admissions and death cases. Liaisons with a variety if individuals with tact and diplomacy to interpret and explain VA policies to house staff, patients, employees, and others. Develops and maintains positive working relationships with VBA and VHA administrative staff in the medical center, headquarters staff, Health Eligibility Center staff, other off-site stations, Veterans and their beneficiaries, service officers, congressional staff and other private industry vendors including local job service providers and homeless shelters. Completes data entry such as personal demographics, health care insurance and income verification into Veteran's Enrollment System (VES). Verifies eligibility/entitlement for benefits of all applicants using various methods, including income assessments, military discharge documents, SHARE, Veterans Information Solutions (VIS) and other means such as communication with VBA Regional Office or VA Records Processing Centers. Reviews insurance policy(s) and plan(s) with the Veteran and explains issues such as deductibles, co-payment, length of stay and other matters that will clarify to VA's role in insurance reimbursements. Prepares reports that analyze the enrollment process and identifies weaknesses and offers potential solutions to enrollment issues and concerns to supervisors. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Telework may be available based on the needs of the agency). Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD13987A and PD13974-A Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending and lifting of equipment less than forty pounds. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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.

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
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Per 5 CFR 330.502, general restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-6 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 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: complex knowledge of Veteran outreach, eligibility enrollment, registration, pre-registration, patient funds, death details, beneficiary travel, etc.; ability to communicate effectively and operate under stress and maintain a professional posture; knowledge of an extensive body of federal laws, regulations and implementation procedures pertaining to compensation, pension and other VA benefits to accurately advise Veterans and/or their dependents of entitlements and eligibility to a full range of Veteran programs all while positively impacting timeliness and quality of claims processing; ability to deal with a variety of individuals who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or have severe psychiatric problems; ability to present self with a professional attitude and to create a positive impression as a representative of the agency; ability to interpret and explain VA policies to house staff, patients, employees and others; ability to identify and analyze complex problems or situations with a range of variables; ability to complete assigned projects, studies, narrative and statistical reports and reviews in a accurate and timely manner; knowledge of federal, state and local laws, assistance services and programs sufficient to direct Veterans to the appropriate resource to resolve problems that are beyond the scope of the VA's programs (i.e., dependency status, social service programs, Medicaid, special income-based programs and domestic relations); skill in conducting interviews that explain medical benefit programs and domestic relations. GS-7 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-6 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: complex knowledge of Veteran outreach, eligibility enrollment, registration, pre-registration, patient funds, death details, beneficiary travel, etc.; ability to communicate effectively and operate under stress and maintain a professional posture; knowledge of an extensive body of federal laws, regulations and implementation procedures pertaining to compensation, pension and other VA benefits to accurately advise Veterans and/or their dependents of entitlements and eligibility to a full range of Veteran programs all while positively impacting timeliness and quality of claims processing; ability to deal with a variety of individuals who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or have severe psychiatric problems; ability to present self with a professional attitude and to create a positive impression as a representative of the agency; ability to interpret and explain VA policies to house staff, patients, employees and others; ability to identify and analyze complex problems or situations with a range of variables; ability to complete assigned projects, studies, narrative and statistical reports and reviews in a accurate and timely manner; knowledge of federal, state and local laws, assistance services and programs sufficient to direct Veterans to the appropriate resource to resolve problems that are beyond the scope of the VA's programs (i.e., dependency status, social service programs, Medicaid, special income-based programs and domestic relations); skill in conducting interviews that explain medical benefit programs and domestic relations.

Education

There is no educational substitution for the GS-6/7 level.

Contacts

• Address Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Allecia Munoz
• Phone: 352-213-8874
• Email: [email protected]