Health System Specialist

Summary

Health System Specialist will serve as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Nursing Officer for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 9 within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and provides assistance in policy development and managerial decision-making.

Duties

Health Systems Specialist for the VA Midsouth Healthcare Network, Veterans Integrated Service Network Nine(VISN 9). Develops processes that improve data quality and consistency and validating existing data from VHA's corporate databases. Applies new policies, provides advice on requirements and maintains administrative systems and prepares administrative paperwork such as congressional response drafts. Manages VISN 9 Performance Plan from roll-out, including updates, aggregate analysis, presentations on the objectives, phases, status and end-of-year reporting. Responds to inquiries and administrative problems brought to Executive Leadership by VISN staff, subordinate VAMCs/Outpatient Clinics, officials of VA Headquarters, Congressional Offices, Veterans Service Organizations other Federal Agencies and other governmental entities. Prepares correspondence and reports on behalf of Executive Leadership to VA Headquarters, congressional staff and other Federal and external review agencies. The incumbent provides data support for the Network Chief Nursing Officer and DND Quality Management Officer, and other VISN 9 Clinical Managers. Establishes reporting requirements and assumes follow up responsibility for special studies and projects. Manages the VISN 9 Healthcare Operations Committee and ensures reports, executive decision memos, prestation are reviewed/vetted through appropriately prior to presentation to the Council. Compiles, analyzes and summarizes key network workload, performance, demographic and financial data for the purpose of preparing briefing material for use by Executive Leadership. Manage multiple unrelated projects and issues, many of which are of a highly sensitive nature. Exercises independent judgment in interpreting, adapting, and applying general and sometimes vague guidelines to fit unique situations and to resolve issues. Provides advice and assistance in policy development and managerial decision making. Takes initiative to help resolve Network challenges. Effectively communicate both orally and in writing with a variety of professional, technical, and administrative personnel at all levels of the organization, as well as outside of it Applies analytical, evaluative, developmental and advisory skills towards recommending improvements in managerial policy, procedures and structure. 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: Administrative Day tour, 0800-1630, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Available at supervisory discretion Telework: Ad hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD079490 and PD10162-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized 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. 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. 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, 08/26/2026. 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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. 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. Selective Placement Factor: Data Analysis Experience Quality Ranking Factor: Project management and project improvement experience You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 1. Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems, regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups, government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. OR 2. Education: Undergraduate or graduate education with a major study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. Specialized Experience GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level. Specialized experience is experience in progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organization echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. Specifically: Advanced experience progressively responsible experience in clinical administration with a focus on Quality Improvement, Program Operations, Healthcare Reform and/or Population Health. COTR (Contracting Officer Representative) experience preferred. Serve as staff assistant to executive leadership and has experience in policy development and decision-making Experience knowledge of monitoring healthcare compliance in accordance with regulation. Experience preparing correspondence and reports on behalf of an executive officer for external review. Lead workgroups on new system implementation and/or process improvement initiatives. Collecting, organizing links, analyzing trends, and interpreting highly specialized data from large databases Develop presentation and reports, to include updates aggregate analysis, and end of year reporting. Proficiency in applications such as MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, including database applications reporting. Specialized Experience GS-13: In addition to the basic requirements applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is experience in progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organization echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. Specifically: Advanced experience progressively responsible experience in clinical administration with a focus on Quality Improvement, Accountable Care Organizations, healthcare reform and/or Population Health. COTR (Contracting Officer Representative) experience preferred. Experience serving as staff assistant to executive leadership and provides policy development and managerial decision-making Expert knowledge of monitoring healthcare compliance in accordance with regulation. Experience preparing correspondence and reports on behalf of an executive officer for external review. Experience lead workgroups on new system implementation and/or process improvement initiatives. Collecting, organizing links, analyzing trends, and interpreting highly specialized data from large databases Managing a performance plan roll out, to include updates aggregate analysis, presentations, and end of year reporting. Proficiency in applications such as MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, including database applications reporting. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 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/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. 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

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.