This position is located at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System within the Business Office service line. The Program Support Assistant works in the Beneficiary Travel Unit and is responsible for determining eligibility for applicants for travel pay, the method of payment, and administrative eligibility for special transportation. *This is not a remote or virtual position, you must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.*

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Determines administrative eligibility for special transportation Determines eligibility of applicants for travel pay Deposits money with the Agent Cashier Maintains daily contact with vendors Facilitates travel from alternative sources as needed Receives deposit receipt from Agent Cashier, initiates the patient funds control card and creates patient account in Veterans Personal Finance System (VPFS) Processes withdrawals from restricted accounts as requested by veteran or guardian, annotates control card, and gives veteran receipts for the Agent Cashier Completes decedent affairs procedures for deaths occurring within the medical center Completes death certificates, coordinates with clinical services to obtain physician signatures, and sends to county within the five day timeline required by the state Manages inquires regarding travel pay, special transportation, decedent affairs and related beneficiary travel unit procedures Receives requests from patients, family members, and staff for lodging accommodations for veterans coming for outpatient appointments or admissions Performs accounting functions involving estimates, contract procurement, validation of eligibility, verification of invoices, and submission of bills to Fiscal Service Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (work hours may be further discussed during the interview) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD60485A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized 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

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Selected applicants may be subject to a pre-employment physical or evaluation
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: performs administrative duties such as arranging 3-way conference calls, transcribing memos, composing letters, completing forms and answering and directing telephone calls; schedules transportation by coordinating with various vendors; inputs data into computer programs and maintains accounting and statistical reports; and utilizes Microsoft Office applications to include Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. 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 is of sedentary nature with possible prolonged periods of sitting in one position. Susceptibility to eye and wrist strain with constant working on computer terminals. Some walking, standing, bending and occasional carrying of light items from one area of another. Work Environment: Majority of time will be spent in office setting with occasional visits to clinic areas and other services. Must be able to work under adverse situations and function at an optimum level of concentration in an environment with frequent interruptions and many activities in progress simultaneously. The work includes the everyday risks and discomforts typical of offices. Normal safety precautions are taken. 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.

Contacts

• Address Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Kara Grieser
• Phone: (320) 252-1670 X7151
• Email: [email protected]