This position is located in the MEDVAMC, Houston, Texas in the Accounting Section of the Financial Resource Management. The purpose of this position is to perform a mix of technical and clerical accounting functions related to the collection of debts. Updating and monitoring t he VISTA system to maintain an accurate and balanced financial accounting system.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Provide technical and clerical support to the agency's fiscal function such as accounts receivable and debt collection functions. Responsible for the operation of the accounts receivable and debt collection function in a major medical center. Review and classifies many types of financial transactions involving the operation of the Patient Accounts Section including journalizing corrective actions for erroneous conditions. Determine the general ledger accounts, journals, and subsidiary accounts affected, and the debit and credit entries to be made. Post and maintain manual and computerized ledgers and related subsidiary journals. Gather, review, and analyze information relating to the establishment of all debts to insure accuracy of receivables, payments, and appropriate collection action(s) to be taken. Initiate debt collection efforts and aggressively pursues payment of both first and third-party outstanding accounts receivables. Perform accounts receivable reconciliations to insure that all financial accounting systems are accurate and in balance. Initiate correspondence to discuss the status of the account when inquiry is made, and/or to support general ledger accounts. Use a variety of sources to locate the debtor when correspondence is returned undeliverable. Answer inquiries with respect to the debt, provides audits, and contacts insurance companies regarding payments and/or collections. Review requests for waiver and/or compromise. Accept or reject offers to repay based on the length of the repayment plan, amount of indebtedness, and the debtor's financial condition. Propose an alternative acceptable repayment plan when appropriate. Take necessary action to write off debts that meet the criteria provided in agency regulations and manuals. Serve as principal point of contact for agency clients/customers regarding first and· third party accounts receivables. Provide an explanation of accounts either by telephone or through correspondence. Process and post accounts receivable payments. Review and input transactions on waiver decisions. Process waiver request regardless of dollar amount on all indebtedness generated for all benefits to payment programs. Receive and analyze initial waiver requests and supporting documentation to determine jurisdiction and eligibility as required by federal laws, regulations, agency policy, and procedures. Ensure the timely preparation of all reports for Department of Treasury, agency and local management. Furnish feeder data for the preparation of management budget reports. Perform other related duties as assigned. 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, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the Agency 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#: Accounts Receivable Technician/PD07946A and PD03940A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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, 05/28/2024. 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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 as described below: GS-06Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies as they relate to accounts receivable and debt collection operations; inspect and audit bills of collection; initiate debt collection efforts and pursue collections; review and reconcile accounts receivables; understand and enforce segregation of duties. Note: This experience must 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. GS-07Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies as they relate to accounts receivable and debt collection operations; inspect and audit bills of collection; initiate debt collection efforts and pursue collections; review and reconcile accounts receivables; understand and enforce segregation of duties. Note: This experience must 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: Accounting OperationsComplianceComputer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical) 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 effort such as standing, walking, bending, or sitting. There are no special physical demands. The employee works in an office setting involving everyday risks or discomforts. Normal safety precautions are 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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 Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Susan Reynon
• Phone: (808) 726-0496
• Email: [email protected]