This Program Specialist position is pivotal in deriving and analyzing qualitative and quantitative information from which the most cost-effective, efficient, and highest quality health-care services can be implemented. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating and supporting mechanisms for successful data capture and maximizing data management efforts. Incumbent will provide the vision for development of monitors in measuring all data input.

Duties

The Program Specialist independently, makes recommendations, and exercises judgment in support of the MTVAHCS. The Program Specialist oversees all aspects of data gathering and data management related to Health Administration Services, Performance Measures, CPRS functions and FBCS entries. As an integral member of the HAS team, the incumbent provides specialized support services to the HAS Program. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Assists in the development of improved automated, computerized managerial reports and reporting techniques. Reviews the accuracy and adequacy of current financial, costing, and managerial reports. Is responsible for quality assurance of all statistical reports and related data as they apply to higher level management. Assists in the development of improved automated, computerized managerial reports and reporting techniques. Emphasizing the importance of completing all consults in a timely manner. Approving official for reviewing and ensuring that TriCare and ChampVA claims are properly addressed, performs monthly, quarterly, and annual audits. Ensures that medical accounts staff understands the budgetary importance to the hospital for billing Federal Workman's Comp, TriCare, IDES, and ChampVA. Additionally, medical accounts staff are proficient in loading insurance, billing Federal Workman's Comp, TriCare, IDES, and ChampVA posting and verifying payments. Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs or operations in meeting established goals and objectives. Analyzes the program performance data to identify slippage and impact. Collects customer service data, and analyzes quality and quantity trends, and creates and distributes weekly reports. Data received is uploaded into spreadsheets monthly. Exercises resourcefulness and good judgment in recommending solutions to concerns/problems identified by special projects and studies. Incumbent is responsible for developing and maintaining a fully functioning Health System Services Program for the Patient Business Office. Reports progress of the Fee Basis unit including the provision of information to be included in Medical Center wide reports. Develops specific Vetlink and ICB applications in collaboration with station Vetlink and ICB oversight councils, clinical, administrative, and technical staff as needed. As well as, manages the delivery of Vetlink and ICB applications. Develops, tracks and disseminates outcome measures, as appropriate, including clinical data, and patient and staff satisfaction measures. Communicates and collaborates with CBO, VISN and HAS Vetlink and ICB staff, the Office of Information and Technology (Ol&T), other technical staff involved in the development, implementation, and operation of Vetlink and ICB applications with regard to technology and connectivity, which includes wide area network (WAN); local area network (LAN); and bandwidth issues. You may qualify for the GS-9 grade level based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: This position is approved for adhoc telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD12778A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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, 01/17/2024. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. 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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Using qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques such as: literature search; work measurement; task analysis and job structuring; productivity charting; determining staff to workload ratios (e.g., span of control); organization design; space planning; development and administration of questionnaires; flowcharting of work processes; graphing; and calculation of means, modes, standard deviations, or similar statistical measures. Assignments require skill in conducting interviews with supervisors and employees to obtain information about organizational missions, functions, and work procedures. Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative technique and analysis of data to make quantitative and qualitative evaluations for the preparation of narrative and statistical reports of findings. Employ management analysis techniques and methods to develop information for comprehensive reports, addressing such elements as work measurement, trend analysis, efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity, and to assess 5 the success or failure in attaining program operational goals/objectives. Continuing evaluation and analysis of assigned areas to reflect program status and identify areas requiring management attention. Utilizes performance indicators or other established evaluation and audit techniques to monitor facility compliance and to identify improvement opportunities associated with the Performance Measures/Performance Improvement program. Applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of HAS. Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate experience with the application of change management and efficiency methods to guide the implementation of new programs and development of best practices. Knowledge of VHA directives and policies applicable to the Vetlink and ICB programs, the Beneficiary Travel Program, insurance collection practices, and medical billing requirements. Knowledge of VHA goals and objectives as they relate to the Vetlink and ICB programs; the sequence of timing of key Vetlink and ICB program events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the worth of the program accomplishments. Knowledge and skill in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity. Skill to plan, organize, and direct team study work and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations where the proposals involve substantial agency resources, require extensive changes in established procedures, or may be in conflict with the desires of the activity studied. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 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. 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 a graduate's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-9 level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementAnalysis and Problem SolvingInformation ManagementPersonnel and Human ResourcesTechnology Application 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 sedentary, although some slight physical effort 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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]