Health Benefits Assistant

This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) at the San Diego VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Health Administration Service (HAS). The primary purpose of the Health Benefits Specialist is to perform a variety of duties pertaining to enrollment, eligibility verification, health benefits, Financial Assessments (Means Test), and the revenue programs. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/26/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: obtaining and processing enrollment documentation, updating demographics, establishing eligibility for benefits; provides an explanation of benefits and reimbursement information. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four (4) years of education above the high school level. 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 high school. A combination of education and experience would be at least 6 months of specialized experience and 60 credit hours of education above the high school 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: The work is sedentary; typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, book, small parts, or driving and automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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/. The duties of a Health Benefits Specialist include but are not limited to: Receive and processes documents and reports in accordance with established procedures. Review documents and reports for completeness and enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system. Evaluate documents, such as enrollment applications, Means Tests and other data collection forms. Maintain automated systems to track suspense's. Utilize computer terminals or personal computers to make inquiries, enter data, correct data, to perform analysis of data and generate a variety of reports. Make or assist in making the determination as to the patients' eligibility for benefits. Assist in determining the medical care benefits to which the patient has entitlement. Respond to routine technical questions regarding patient rights and responsibilities and medical eligibility for care. Interpret admission and outpatient policies to patients, their families, agency employees, and veteran's organizations. Collaborate in a team-oriented, customer-driven, environment. Demonstrate flexibility, integrity and accountability with work ethic. Enhance customer experience with positive human interactions and therapeutic alliances, and promote the coordination, continuity and integration of care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Benefits Assistant/PD11194A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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/.