The Primary Purpose of the Position is to perform duties in the capacity of a Program Support Assistant (OA). Organizationally this position is referred to as the Beneficiary - Travel Clerk. The incumbent(s) of this position manage the Beneficiary Travel Program for the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS) to include the Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Las Cruces New Mexico.

Duties

The Program Support Assistant (OA) for the Beneficiary Travel program correctly determines eligibility, and processes requests. Duties will also include correctly determining which of several fund control points to utilize, obligating funds, maintaining manual and electronic accounting records, performing regular reconciliations and adjusting account balances. The Program Support Assistant (OA) will contact the approving official to authorize obligations and requests funds for additions, deductions, and/or movement of funds. The Program Support Assistant (OA) makes necessary changes to fund control points. The Program Support Assistant (OA) is responsible for determining method of payment for authorized and unauthorized ambulance claims submitted for consideration. Receives invoices for payment of transportation services. Investigates authorizations, orders, and/or utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to review medical records, forwards for supervisory approval and submits all documents for payment utilizing appropriate control point reference. Responsible for forwarding all invoices certified for payment to Financial Resource Management Service (FRMS) for processing. The Program Support Assistant (OA) will act as a liaison between vendors and FRMS for invoices pending payment. Writes or selects appropriate letters explaining disposition of unauthorized travel claims. Responsible for explaining the regulatory guidelines to beneficiaries for submitting any unauthorized ambulance claims to the EPVAHCS for consideration of payment. Corresponds with contracting officer regarding technical problems or negotiation of the contractual agreement. Responsible for balancing, reconciling, and adjusting invoices for payment. Documents and prepares account synopsis for contracting officials quarterly to justify yearly ambulance contractual compliance. When required, prepares reports for cab service to determine annual, local mobility usage. Documents and prepares statistical ambulance reports to supervisor upon request for fiscal year budget. Maintains and controls filing system in accordance with VA regulations. Incumbent is an authorized user of Government Purchase Card. Arranges all modes of transportation via air ambulance, commercial air, taxi, ambulance, bus and/or independent transports. May correspond with physician, traveler, social workers or CBOC representative and vendor to determine the most dependable and economical mode of transportation. Prepares appropriate documentation and/or scheduling for traveler according to government rates or substantial rates. Makes special arrangements per physician documentation according to traveler's medical condition and/or preference with a high priority emphasis on Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Operation Enduring freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), and transplant patients. Reviews request for reimbursement of travel costs for the purpose of assuring compliance with regulations and procedures, completeness, accuracy, internal consistency, and agreement with basic authorization. Reconciles vouchers against authorizations for accuracy prior to preparing certifications for payment. Communicates and interacts with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Assures that all appropriate VA forms are used correctly and regulations followed. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm Telework: Available-Adhoc: (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable) 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#: Program Support Assistant (OA)/PD01015A and PD01015A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/09/2024. 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-5. 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: 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: knowledge of and ability to apply extensive transportation regulations, methods and practices to perform a wide variety of interrelated or nonstandard transportation support assignments and resolve a wide range of problems. Knowledge coordinating special mode transportation needs for SCI, TBI, OEF/OIF and organ transplant patients. Knowledge of travel rules and regulations in accordance with Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Experience organizing and maintaining records supporting beneficiary travel reimbursements and vendor payments. Knowledge of validating records for travel accounts. Experience with the review process to make determination of requested payments, authorized service etc. Must have office automation experience MS Office, spreadsheets, etc. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Accounting Administrative Law Customer Service 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 is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. 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 the GS-6 grade level.

Contacts

• Address El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]