The Health Systems Specialist position is located at the James J Peters VAMC, Bronx NY. This position serves as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) and functions as a liaison to multiple staff offices under the Chief of Staff (COS) and DCOS. The Health System Specialist (HSS) is delegated the responsibility for the study, analysis, evaluation, and formulation of recommendations for the development and improvement of administrative management and operating programs.

Duties

Administrative 90% The incumbent manages or participates in substantive projects relative to Medical Center operations as well as new initiatives. The scope and complexity of the health systems clinical and administrative functions warrant considerable systems management abilities. This requires effective coordination and integration of work efforts among all Medical Center services under the COS/DCOS. The incumbent possesses integrated and in-depth knowledge and understanding of VHA's mission, operating programs, and policies to meet responsibilities of the position. The duties require a high degree of administrative and material expertise and the ability to work effectively with others at high levels of the organization. The incumbent takes initiative in managing all office resources and establishing and maintaining communication with all programs under the DCOS. Conducts conventional studies on operational processes, issue topics, or related special projects for the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS). Very broad studies may be assigned limited aspects of much larger projects. These studies may require study planning, statistical measurement, data analysis, and report preparation and development. When tasked with this type of project, serves as the responsible contact for leading these projects from initiation to completion and may be required to present the results to the COS/DCOS. Uses standard reference materials to develop 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 that have significant national impact e.g. quality and safety concerns or involve several functional areas. 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 the DCOS or program offices, or departmental offices under the DCOS. The HSS considers current medical facility practices regarding the integration of Internal administrative and clinical policies to the standards and requirements of various regulatory and accrediting bodies, and to the impact of internal policies on outside entities such as other area hospitals and the community at large. Prepares study reports and findings that include substantive and innovative recommendations to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the medical facility health care program. Assists with oversight of the Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) and Focus Professional Practice Evaluations (FPPE) dashboards/SharePoint Sites under the Deputy Chief of Staff purview and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and timely submission to appropriate staff. Works with various boards to coordinate regular committee meetings, ensuring all event management steps are completed. Coordinates with the appropriate individuals or offices to develop action plans and supporting materials for presentation at conferences, meetings, and other external activities. Briefs and advises senior management on agenda issues in preparation for activities and meetings and may represent the office at internal or external activities or meetings. Project Improvement 10% Develops management improvement programs or revised policy and procedural requirements for more effective application of various administrative management systems, such as work measurement, work simplification, incentive awards, Market Pays/Biennials; pay for performance, performance evaluation, management reports, automation, communication analyses, etc. Formulates recommendations to include specific plans to correct deficiencies or to increase positive accomplishments of administrative practices. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD49255O Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/02/2024. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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. Individual Occupational Requirement 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 Experience: You must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (For GS-12 position 1 year of experience at GS-11) 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. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement, you must meet the following: Specialized Experience: 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 are not limited to: Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues related to the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations Utilize basic principles and practices related to the management of a health care delivery system, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge to solve the unique problems arising in the particular health care delivery system in which they serve. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with a wide variety of health care providers and outside providers of services and products with diverse functions to gather information, present recommendations, and coordinate services. Ability to work effectively with others at high levels of the organization. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationKnowledge ManagementProblem 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 sedentary. Some travel may be required. No other special physical demands are required of this work. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Bronx VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx, NY 10468 US
• Name: Kelli Bencic
• Phone: 716-458-6982
• Email: [email protected]