This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The Program Assistant position is located within Voluntary Services, Defender Lodge, VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21). The primary purpose of the Program Assistant is to support the day to day operations of the Defender lodge. Duties include, but may not be limited to: Completes assessments on referrals on all lodgers assuring appropriateness for admission. Provides assistance to guests and Veterans by providing them with information on the community and health care system. Ensures compliance with health, safety, privacy, and sanitation rules and regulations. Assisting in the orientation and training of new employees in the clinic area, Maintaining a thorough knowledge of the operation of all medical surgical clinics Acting as a liaison between administrative and clinical staff. Triage of patients and providers Scheduling appointments Maintains data for the program to include occupancy, referral source, and responsible service information. Treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Consistently communicates and provide customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Extensive knowledge of software needed to produce a wide range of documents, along with ability to use a variety of computer programs. Proficient in operating a personal computer (PC) and printer, including ability to efficiently use Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Publisher, along with ability to use a variety of computer programs. Uses judgement in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents and work directions for applications to specific cases or problems. Displays behavior that reflects the dignity and respect that each patient, visitor, and fellow employee deserves. Interacts with others in a manner that fosters favorable relations and public image. Maintains daily and frequent personal and telephonic contact with a variety of individuals, including physicians, nurses, technical support staff, veterans, families of patients, Veteran Service Officers, etc. Ensures that patients are comfortable and treated courteously, enthusiastically, and in a timely manner. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-5: Applicants must have one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Answers phone calls and provides assistance; Schedules patient appointments; Provides telephone triage of patients and providers; Maintains schedule of bed availability and occupancy. NOTE: Experience must be documented on your resume or applicant documents, no assumptions will be made. SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required): Successful completion of (4) years of education above the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial or technical school. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Critical ThinkingCustomer ServiceCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Oral CommunicationTechnical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: Generally, the job is sedentary with some standing, stooping, reaching and lifting up to twenty (20lbs) pounds. The Program Support Assistant must be composed at all times. 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

IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]