The incumbent serves as a Health System Specialist (HSS) providing support to the Albany VA Medical Center's Director's office located in Albany, NY. S/he is the principal advisor and the primary administrative support to the Office of the Assistant Director. The Incumbent is a consultant to the Medical Center Director, Associate Medical Center Director, Chief of Staff, ADPCS Service Chiefs, and other hospital management.

Duties

Program Management and Project Support S/he is responsible for planning of programs within the Office of the Assistant Director, establishing goals for the accomplishment of his/her own work and for other programs and projects as assigned. S/he is required to conduct and evaluate special studies on designated subjects, most of which will require extensive investigation and analysis. S/he has direct responsibility for the development, modification and/or implementation of essential management programs and initiatives designed to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness, such as the Clinic Practice Management (CPM) Program. The HSS has programmatic responsibility for the Medical Center planning process. S/he helps to set the future direction of the Albany VAMC using a variety of demographic, computer modeling and forecasting techniques. S/he provides information and instruction to physicians, nurses, administrative staff and other members of task force planning groups on current health care issues dealing with the provision of health care. S/he conducts analyses of various projects related to health care management. The HSS has primary responsibility for developing criteria used in evaluating the performance of various projects and programs. The HSS designs and implements follow-up systems to track outstanding issues and matters of concern to the Assistant Medical Center Director. In performing these duties, s/he is expected to take proper corrective action or provide authoritative recommendations and/or advise as necessary to correct identified deficiencies. Problem Solving and Coordination The HSS may serve as the Issue Brief and Actions Coordinator for the Medical Center and has programmatic responsibility for the development and establishment of processes and procedures to manage the growing administrative actions from VACO. S/he may be called upon to head the VA Medical Center negotiating team for contractual agreements with private health care providers, federal and state departments and agencies and Academic Affiliates. The HSS represents the Director and other management officials at meetings of community and service organizations, local and regional health care organizations, and state agencies, including the New York State Department of Health, Department of Mental Health, and Division of Veterans Services. The Health Systems Specialist (HSS) is often delegated authority to act as official spokesperson for the office of the Director with authority to implement and direct assigned programs. Supervision The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of medical support assistant (MSA) supervision and training to ensure daily operations of Clinical Practice occurring at Albany VAMC. The incumbent is responsible for the following supervisory activities of the Service: The HSS oversees the operation and duties of the Supervisory Management Analyst as a generalist who demonstrates a thorough knowledge of all facets of Clinic Practice Management regulations and processes, clinical care coordination, case management, performance measurement, quality management and continuous process improvement, etc. S/he must clearly understand the role and impact of Clinic Practice Management in the health care system's financial, business, clinical, and administrative operations. The incumbent must be extremely astute regarding the interactions between facility- level Clinic Practice Management, the ICD process, the CBOPC Payment Center, VHA directives on Clinic/Group Practice Management and VACO activities. Develops plans, milestones, and policy for the accomplishment of assigned functions on an immediate and long-range basis. Develops and implements procedures and methods for accomplishment of assigned functions in accordance with directives and regulations. Executes administrative and personnel management responsibilities related to the Clinic Practice Management. Critically analyze employee performance; identifies training needs, assures that training is given, evaluates training and stimulates self-improvement. Provides advice and counsel to employees relative to work and administrative matters. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm) 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 telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD38223O Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/01/2024. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can't be waived. The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. To qualify for the GS 0671 occupational series, applicants MUST possess one of the following: 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: 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. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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, Special Provision for In-service Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement as listed above, applicants must also meet the Specialized Experience, which is experience that is directly related to that of the position. Select the appropriate answer based on your current level of experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. GS-12 Specialized Experience - Health System Specialist (Facility Systems Redesign) 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:Advanced comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of management and organization in the health care field with emphasis on their application in a complex medical center setting; Comprehensive knowledge of planning, programming and resource management regulations, guidelines, and processes and a thorough knowledge of the Medical Center's facility planning and management process to prepare short and long range plans and recommendations You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementCommunicationDatabase Management SystemsTechnical Competence 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 requires some physical exertion, such as periods of standing when teaching; some walking, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or similar activities when visiting work sites; and some moderate lifting and carrying. At other times the work is sedentary, requiring the use of a computer. 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 Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Victoria Anthony
• Email: [email protected]