Credentialing Program Assistant

Summary

The Medical Staff Office is responsible for the C&P process of VAMC clinical services providers and functions are critical to patient safety and to assuring the quality of patient care provided by the VAMC. Program Support Assistant (Credentialing) ensures compliance with VHA policies, directives, memos, and notices. Responsible for collecting relevant data and making informed decisions to ensure that qualified healthcare professionals provide appropriate care in the appropriate settings.

Duties

Incumbent serves as the subject matter expert (SME) to LIPs and Service Chiefs on routine and complex matters related to C&P, including provider competence for the ongoing provider practice evaluation (OPPE) and focused provider practice evaluation (FPPE). Duties include, but are not limited to: Program Analysis and Support Assists in developing short- and long-term goals necessary to accomplish the mission. Serves as SME in the field of credentials and clinical privileging. Assists in drafting local credentialing processes and Medical Staff Bylaws in compliance with all applicable regulations. Receives and reviews VetPro reports to identify problem areas that require further investigation. Ensures accurate provider data is entered into and maintained in the VetPro computer program. Ensures current information is present on providers relative to state licensure, Drug Enforcement Organization (DEA) license, National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Continuous Query (CQ) enrollments and renewals, Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), documentation of professional education, specialty medical training, certifications, adverse licensure or privileging actions, initial and renewal of privileges which may affect the status of privileges granted for medical practice. Holds the credit card and is responsible for maintaining records, reconciling monthly charge statements and verifying legitimacy of requests for NPDB CQ enrollments/ renewals, licensure verification (if applicable), Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, American Medical Association, FSMB, National Student Clearing House, Work Number and, board certification (if applicable). Compliance Manages provider applications for LIPs C&P within the VAMC. Must have a broad knowledge of medical specialties and core privileges and is the technical advisor to clinical leadership and assures that complete documentation is available to support privileges granted to providers within their training and/or experience. Provides guidance and instruction to hospital staff in completing the required documentation for establishing privileges for LIPs. Quality Assurance Ensures that application packages and other documents meet the technical requirements specific to the provider's specialty and verifies that the application folder and database account comply with these requirements. Communicates with LIPs to assure timely completion of applications and VetPro requirements. Provides oversight of the application process, analyzes exceptions and deviations from the expected process, determines the course of action, and makes recommendations. 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. Coordinates incoming data from a variety of sources; establishes protocols for incoming data; organizes computerized data sets; and retrieves computerized data. Participates in the required annual C&P self-assessment and, if opportunities for improvement are identified, is involved in efforts to implement these improvements. Program Advisor Serves as technical advisor to the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff (ECMS) and the Credentials Committee. Refers to current issues, trends, problem areas, as well as recommended program revisions to Credentials and Privileging functions through the C&P Manager/Analyst. Prepares agendas for credential-related meetings. Responsibility to ensure LIPs credentials files are adequately prepared, maintained appropriately, and are accurate and current. Conducts audits of provider time-limited credentials and ensures that detailed information is documented on provider exit review forms, privileging documents, FPPE and OPPE tracking system, credentialing program training requirements, telehealth providers monitoring system, and Committee recommended actions. Conducts final appointment into the VetPro database, after thoroughly researching, analyzing, and validating all data, information, documents, and signature authorities. Develops and provides routine and special reports as requested by the C&P Manager/Analyst. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Telework: AD-HOC only Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Credentialing Program Assistant/PD50453A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements

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, 10/02/2026. 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: assisting C&P Manager in drafting local credentialing processes and Medical Staff Bylaws in compliance with all applicable regulations; managing provider applications for privileges and privilege renewal; providing guidance and instruction to hospital staff in completing the required documentation for establishing privileges, ensuring primary source verification, including, but not limited to, state licenses, DEA licenses, certifications, medical specialty training, and board certifications; reviewing documents and applications for omissions and inconsistencies, ensuring data entry is complete and accurate; and documenting details of privileging actions, both routine and adverse, in detail with the accuracy necessary for defending appeals to higher authority. 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/.

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/. How You Will Be Evaluated

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed 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 USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. Other 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/.