This position is located in the Health Administration Service (HAS), Eligibility Section, under the direct supervision of the Eligibility Supervisor. The incumbent is responsible for a wide range of assignments encompassing a variety processes. These assignments have varying complex rules, regulations and procedures associated, which if not done accurately, can have significant administrative and financial impact on overall facility operations and accuracy of national data repositories.

Duties

Incumbent will serve as technical expert providing enrollment and eligibility guidance to service and facility leadership. S/he supports the management information components of all health eligibility related programs within the HCS. This includes not only entering data and information when necessary, but also analyzing reports, records and statistical computations for accuracy and propriety. Local input is compared with the Health Eligibility Center (HEC) in Atlanta, GA and also will affect data entry for encounter entries that go to Austin for workload credit. The incumbent(s) must review the Incomplete Encounter Management Module (IEMM) report in order to clean up any discrepancies in administrative or registration data that would prevent the transmission of encounters. Advises on the application of federal laws and regulations controlling the provision of medical benefits and patient administration to veteran patients. Provides technical advice to medical center staff and clinicians regarding VA administrative policies. Performs Decedent Affairs functions. Performs the functions and activities regarding Beneficiary Travel. Practices good customer service in all work activities. Determines priority level of actions and adjusts priorities based on the needs of the department and organization. Protects electronic/printed files containing sensitive data. Safeguards data from alteration, loss, or unauthorized deletion/release. Performs the Patient Funds functions to ensure accuracy of accounts on file and timely processing of auditable processes. Manages the New Enrollee Appointment Request (NEAR) list daily to ensure timely processing of all requests. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 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#: Health Benefits Assistant/PD00011A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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, 12/11/2024. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-5 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: broad knowledge and experience in the field of patient administration (both inpatient and outpatient), including medical records and related fields of medical administration, as they relate to access of care; knowledge of the organizational and interdepartmental relationship of an active acute Medical Center; knowledge of the registration process, entering a means test and updating demographics; and, varied functions of computer spreadsheets, database computer applications, etc., to produce and maintain a wide variety of documents. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four years above high school. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. (Transcript Required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) to be creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. (Transcript Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills External Awareness Flexibility Interpersonal Effectiveness Technical Competence 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

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/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]