The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. Health lnformatics Specialist work is health-oriented in nature, and requires knowledge and skills gained from education, on the job training, developmental assignments, and/or experience in a health science or allied scientific field, such as Health Informatics.

Duties

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Selection will be made at the GS-7 grade level only. The mid-level Program Analyst receives increasingly more difficult assignments to prepare for independent performance at the full performance level, GS-11. As an emerging subject matter expert in Health Informatics, receives assignments that continue to expand the knowledge base of the electronic health record and associated clinical software; provides users and staff with limited consultative support and education. Explores new technologies and participates in complex projects to apply the technologies in support of veterans' health care needs. Assignments include increasingly complex segments of projects for which the incumbent is independently responsible. Inputs and retrieves data, prepares analyses and presents recommendations to senior specialists, supervisor, or others as may be appropriate. Other duties include but are not limited to: Participates with senior analysts in educating employees on methods and means to make health care operations more effective and efficient. Develops tools and training guides for the user and participates in delivering training and educational programs to others as appropriate to knowledge and skill level. Collects, analyzes and provides feedback on effectiveness of training and suggests improvements/enhancements. Participates in the development of information related to patient care, such as patient registries to allow the Clinical Team to track and manage patient illnesses. Analyzes data, for example, to assess treatment impacts and provides findings and recommendations for a variety of uses by senior specialists. For training purposes, attends various meetings with senior specialists. Examples of the meetings are the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee; the Medical Records Committee; program development vendors using Commercial Off The Shelf(COTS) and decision support systems; clinical informatics oversight committees; Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee; others as may be decided locally. Participates with the HIS to assess data to identify, quantify and resolve organizational problems. Resolves defined segments on own. Conducts evaluations of clinical software needs and makes recommendations. Receives developmental assignments and formal training in project management. Receives assignments consistent with the GS-07 grade level that may be unique to the facility to which assigned; and Performs other duties as assigned that are directly related to development as a Program Analyst. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Virtual: This is not a virtual or Remote position. You will be required to be onsite. Functional Statement #: 99336-TSProgram Analyst (Informatics) TCF Trainee Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one 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: Inputs and retrieves health information system data, prepares analyses and presents recommendations to senior specialists, supervisor or others as may be appropriate. Thorough and current knowledge of emerging regulations, programs, and processes related to informatics, to propose and support major administrative and clinical policies and directives. Practical, experienced knowledge of automation and software systems and options that affect clinical practice. Troubleshoot functionality issues and develop solutions, and to ensure quality management of clinical operations. Assess health information system data to identify, quantify and resolve organizational problems; and Conducts evaluations of clinical software needs and makes recommendations. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 1 full year of graduate level education, OR have achieved superior academic achievement. Note: To be creditable, graduate education must be directly related to the position to be filled (e.g. Computer Science, Software Engineering, Statistics, Programming and Information Technology). Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. Preferred Experience: Knowledge and/or experience in structured query language (SQL) Programming. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Data Management Manages and Organizes Information Project Management Team Building 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: The work is usually sedentary but it requires periods of walking, standing, bending or climbing, and employees may carry light items such as books, instruments, lap tops and other similar materials.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VISN 16 South Central VA Health Care Network 715 S. Pear Orchard Road Ridgeland, MS 39157 US
• Name: Karen Dwyer
• Phone: 858-472-1391
• Email: [email protected]