The incumbent of this position serves as a Performance Improvement Coordinator (PIC) for the VISN 2 Improvement Program (IP). As PIC, the incumbent is expected to lead transformative quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency improvement efforts; act as manager for large and complex healthcare and operational improvement projects impacting patient care delivery systems and functions throughout the VISN; and conduct studies and organizational analyses of diverse functions and work processes.

Duties

Lead complex and far-reaching performance improvement initiatives using systems engineering/systems redesign principles. The incumbent will take on a leadership role in organizing and conducting performance improvement efforts based on systems engineering principles such as, but not limited to, LEAN and Systems Redesign. The incumbent will modify standard LEAN and Systems Redesign methodologies to fit into the healthcare environment in general and the organizational cultural transformation already underway in VISN 2. The incumbent will demonstrate creativity and flexibility in the integration of standard systems engineering improvement methodologies with existing organizational cultural transformation efforts. In this capacity, the incumbent is expected to not only lead performance specific improvement efforts but also train others. Provide consultative support on identifying appropriate process measures and monitors for quality and performance improvement based on systems engineering tools and principles. The incumbent will serve as an internal consultant to groups working to improve quality and performance by helping them identify the most appropriate measures and monitors to ensure quality outcomes. To this end, the incumbent will help performance teams develop process maps and identify steps critical to improve quality outcomes. Once critical to quality steps have been identified, the incumbent will work with teams to identify measurement and monitoring strategies that balances effort with effectiveness based on sound statistical analysis. Manage faculty and staff involved in studies based on systems engineering principles to optimize quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency in healthcare systems. These studies will use a wide range of advanced analytical techniques, statistical methods, and systems engineering tools to collect baseline information, identify limitations in current systems, and discover potential improvements. The incumbent will manage faculty developing statistical, graphical, and narrative reports and communicate these studies to network executive leadership, medical center leadership, and other staff. Ensure sustainability and spread of program efforts directed at improving quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency using management engineering. The incumbent will collaborate with medical center leadership and management to ensure that improvements to processes spread to other work unites and locations and that these improvements are sustained over time. To this end, the incumbent will work with VISN staff and the Office of Organizational Excellence (SAIL and other programs) to develop methods for the measurement and assessment of spread and sustainability. The incumbent will work with other individuals and services to develop automated systems for tracking improvement (data trending, data dashboards, and balanced scorecards) and for monitoring projectprogress and completion (project management, "closing the loop"). The incumbent will provide oversight for national reporting activities related to the VISN 2 Improvement Program. Manage faculty and staff involved in planning and conduct studies directed at reducing errors due to cognitive overloading and human-computer interaction failure. The incumbent will work with VISN 2 faculty and staff to identify systems design problems that contribute to human errors and then identify alternative systems and processes based on systems engineering principles to mitigate these types of errors. Manage faculty and staff involved planning and conducting studies of management functions in support of improvements in organizational structure and staffing level efficiency. The incumbent will actively participate in the network's and national VHA efforts to create a culture of quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency by planning and conducting studies directed at identifying optimumstaffing and management structures. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm EST Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist - Performance Improvement Coordinator (PIC)/PD08160O 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 personal computer. 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. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-13 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 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: Experience leading complex and far-reaching performance improvement initiatives using systems engineering/systems redesign principles; Experience providing consultative support on identifying appropriate process measures and monitors for quality and performance improvement based on systems engineering tools and principles; Ability to manage faculty and staff involved in studies based on systems engineering principles to optimize quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency in healthcare systems; and Experience managing faculty and staff involved in planning and conduct studies directed at reducing errors due to cognitive overloading and human-computer interaction failure. Preferred Experience: Master's Degree, and LEAN SIX SIGMAN Black Belt Certification, 3 years demonstrated complex project improvement experience There is no educational substitution for the GS-13 level. 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.

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.

Contacts

• Address Biomed - Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Tara Lanigan
• Phone: 612-467-6517
• Email: [email protected]