The position serves as a Compensation and Pension (C&P) Program Specialist in the Veteran Service Department, St. Cloud VA Health Administration Service. The selectee must initiate and carry out a variety of advisory and technical duties, i.e. receiving and scheduling requests for C&P examinations, providing administrative support to the clinical staff who perform C&P exams, communicating with the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) and Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA).

Duties

Practical knowledge of technical methods used for Compensation and Pension (C&P) clinic setup and scheduling; knowledge and ability to coordinate multiple appointments on the same day for the C&P examinations in order to avoid unnecessary travel for the Veteran and improve the working relationship with Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA). Skill in careful questioning of Veterans is necessary to ensure prompt and correct referrals following a C&P exam to assist in expediting required tests. Must have a thorough knowledge of the Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture (VistA) and the scheduling package and processes. Have a thorough working knowledge of other computer systems necessary to manage, control, secure, coordinate and implement computer activities. Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, polices, guidelines and procedures is required. Knowledge of the organizational and interdepartmental relationships of an active Medical Center and the C&P process as a whole. Knowledge of policies and procedures associated with operational activities that affect the flow of requests in and out of the Medical Center. Knowledge of the Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA) - Veteran Health Administration (VHA) collaborative process as it relates to examination requests. Knowledge of medical terminology is critical due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians and VBA. Must demonstrate an awareness and appreciation for the pressures and demands of this position and be able to deal effectively with responsibilities. Must be able to maintain cooperative, effective relationships with a wide variety of individuals. Must have knowledge of the laws and regulations for pre-discharge claims and their relationship with eligibility for VA healthcare benefits. 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: 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. Telework eligibility is Ad-hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD90509A and PD90510A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: Yes, AFGE/1272 The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/06/2024. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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. Preferred Experience: The selectee must initiate and carry out a variety of advisory and technical duties, including receiving and scheduling requests for Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations, providing administrative support to the clinical staff who perform C&P exams, as well as, communicating with the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) and the Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA). To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized Experience GS-6: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience where you were responsible for providing administrative support such as assigning training requirements for newly assigned staff, tracking and reviewing completion compliance and any updates or changes as needed; delivering appropriate forms/documents to chart preparation areas within a facility; following up on cases specific issues, sharing information, and collaborating with providers, peers, or stakeholders to ensure complete and accurate information for patients, and issuing briefs, action items, and patient complaint investigations appropriately. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates and hours worked per week. To qualify at the GS-7 grade level: Specialized Experience GS-7: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience where you were responsible for providing administrative support functions within a healthcare facility; acting as a liaison between healthcare facilities and Veterans regarding compensation and pension processes; providing training to new and current employees; familiarity with applying clinic stop codes and ensuring clinic availability is reflected accurately; ability to work with staff from various services; using various software systems to monitor completion of exams, assist with preparing beneficiary travel claims, and maintaining all policies, procedures and operational manuals. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates and hours worked per week. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: ClericalComputer SkillsCustomer ServiceOrganizational Awareness 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting where there may be frequent contacts with emotionally disturbed patients. Safety precautions are necessary. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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 either grade levels for this position.

Contacts

• Address St Cloud VA Medical Center 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 US
• Name: Yalonda Smith
• Phone: 6124675071
• Email: [email protected]