Program Analyst (TCF Intern)

Summary

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. his position is in the TCF program and member of the project team for establishing, planning and directing implementation and ongoing management of Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA) under the supervision of the VISN MCA Program Coordinator.

Duties

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. The TCF Intern position under the Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA), directly affects patient management by providing data on patterns of care and patient outcomes, as well as their resource and cost implications. The incumbent also serves as an MCA Liaison with the VISN for the Medical Center. The analyst is a professional who is well versed in the objectives and functionality of automated clinical and administrative applications as well as the various data repositories throughout the VHA and the interrelationship of these application and data sets to the operational goals/objectives of this Medical Center. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Prepares monthly supply mapping by utilizing multiple reports and service feedback to ensure all cost is assigned to the appropriate MCA department. Prepares labor mapping reviews bi-weekly. Develops reports for review by Service Chiefs and/or their designee. Ensures cost and encounter data is correctly aligned within the MCA organizational structure, which includes performing detail analyses of workload trends, over a large time period for larger internal program areas. Provides management officials with procedural and regulatory guidance concerning recording of costs and workload. Analyzes the existing workload capture system to determine the best source data for the MCA program. Analyzes payroll costing of all facility staff at the Medical Center to ensure accuracy of data through cost center and budget object code review. Continually monitors, identifies, and resolves costing/FTEE issues with appropriate staff and works to implement processes at the service level that will prevent similar errors from occurring in the future. Serves as business analyst; gathering, examining, analyzing and evaluating information related to activities requiring action by the Chief Financial Officer, other Service Chiefs, first line supervisors, and clinical administrative staff. Responsible for extracting, producing, and maintaining various monthly management/briefing reports that meet the operational needs of the Medical Center. Presents information via written memorandums and/or presentations to facility leadership and VISN MCA coordinator. Assesses ways to improve this monthly process and work with other MCA staff to implement changes where necessary. Coordinates work with other MCA staff to insure accurate and timely documentation and submission of data to prevent problems in the MCA functions. Performs monthly audits that involve researching source systems and documents to verify the accuracy of MCA. Reviews any validation efforts with services in the medical center and other MCA staff to show them the impact that their data can have on the medical center. Performs monthly maintenance duties and audits on MCA to ensure currency and accuracy of data. Assists with the Event Capture program at the VA Medical Center. Builds and prepares reports using Microsoft, Word, Excel, and Power Point. Downloads files from the Internet, VISTA, and Austin Automation Center and imports them into databases for review, processing and reporting. Acts as a liaison between the VISN MCA team and support services within the medical centers which play a major role in the implementation and continuance of MCA. Serves on various committee, task forces, and project teams dealing with Medical Center issues related to information available through and generated by the MCA Program. Interfaces with service line supervisors and administrative personnel in order to keep current on any changes in VA Medical Center functions that may affect the MCA program. Collaborates with VISN MCA Coordinator to keep current on any changes in National or VISN guidance which may impact MCA, workload, and cost information systems. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work schedule: Full Time, Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: This position may be authorized for adHoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description Title/PD#: Program Analyst (TCF Intern)/PD10222A Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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. Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 09/21/2026. 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-7 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. 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 education and/or experience as described below: GS 7 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: Serves as a trainee within the Informatics team and is assigned responsibility to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care by integrating clinical and information processes necessary to achieve successful adoption and application of new technologies throughout the VHA. With assistance from higher lnformaticist, provides communication channels to clinical and business teams to support deployment, sustainment, and optimization efforts; includes communication among all stakeholders through each level of the organization, to facilitate and support change. Qualifying experience includes knowledge and use of clinical software packages; prepares reports and presents information effectively; performs data analysis, to include collecting, evaluating, and synthesizing data; and assisting with evaluating and recommending operational process changes. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of successfully completed graduate level education. OR Experience and Education Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. Note: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. GS-09Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Analyst - Informatics. Qualifying specialized experience includes: knowledge of automation and software systems and options that affect clinical practice; performs data analysis, to include collecting, evaluating, and synthesizing data; assisting in process improvement projects; provides communication channels to clinical and business teams to support deployment, sustainment, and optimize efforts; and preparing reports and graphical presentations of data. OR Education: Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. OR Combination of specialized experience and education: Successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: The work is usually sedentary, but it requires periods of walking, standing, bending, or climbing, and employees may carry light items such as books, instruments, laptops, and other similar materials.

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/. Superior academic achievement. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for Special Advancement for Achievement (SAA), applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision. A grade point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Preferred Specialized Experience: Data Analysis and Reporting: Experience using tools such as Excel, Power BI, Pyramid Analytics, or SQL for data analysis, tracking, reporting, and identifying trends. Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external partners across organizational boundaries. Communication Skills: Skilled in preparing documents, including briefings, presentations, and reports, for upper management. Budget & Financial Management: Familiarity with VHA financial policies and workflows. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Other Information

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.