Credentialing Program Assistant

Summary The incumbent serves as a Credentialing Program Assistant and is assigned to the Medical Staff Office, which is under the Chief of Quality at the Amarillo VA HCS and is responsible for conducting analytical reviews, managing and tracking data, and serving as an advisor to Amarillo VAMC leadership on key processes related to the Credentialing and Privileging (C&P) program of the VAMC. Responsibilities Major Duties: Utilize significant judgment to inform leadership and appropriate administrative staff of credentialing program changes, new regulatory requirements, policies and procedures or issues and concerns pertaining to the credentialing program. Ensure primary source verification to include, but not limited to, state licenses, certifications, and required certifications, including verifications through the National Practitioner Data Bank, state licensing agencies, specialty certification boards, universities, DoD and healthcare facilities. Conduct final appointment into the credentialing database, after thoroughly researching, analyzing and validating all data, information, documents and signature authorities. Serve as subject matter expert (SME) in the field of credentialing. Assure data entry is complete and accurate to meet hospital policy and regulation, and the Joint Commission standards. Research reference materials, regulations, and standards to identify appropriate action necessary to correct the problem. Manage the work involving the tracking of data and documents in support of the credentialing operation. Review VetPro or other credentialing database reports detecting problem areas requiring further investigation. Monitor the maintenance of operations of database systems. Manage a purchase card by ensuring purchases are legitimate and within budget. Receives and reviews correspondence and communications for the C&P function and determines which items require immediate attention and which are confidential in nature. Analyzes and manages issues related to documents that do not meet expected requirements, regulations or guidelines such as malpractice claims, adverse actions against licensures and/or certifications, FSMB reports, and National NPDB CQ reports. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad Hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Credentialing Program Assistant/PD01416A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2026. 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: Extensive knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents, accreditation standards and guidelines, such as TJC, which affect the use of program related support areas of C & P; extensive knowledge of basic principles, provisions and practices of credentialing, privileging, medical staff process/personal, accreditation and regulatory issues/updates; Extensive knowledge of medical terminology, medical specialties, and core privileges and procedures; extensive knowledge of practice evaluation requirements; Skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques; Ability to verbally communication complex and highly technical information to a diverse group; Expert knowledge of primary source verification processes; Skilling in using software applications; attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. 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. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.