Program Applications Specialist

Summary

The position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, Arizona (SAVAHCS) in the Office of the Deputy Associate Director of Patient Care Services (DADPCS). The DADPCS provides nurse staffing, education, recognition/awards, transition to practice, and academic affiliation support to all facility services. The incumbent reports to the Chief DADPCS.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: The incumbent serves as the Program Application Specialist (PAS) that coordinates software implementation and data retrieving processes. The primary functions of this position will be to ensure a data retrieving process is in place to support the implementation of new and updated information technology systems. This position will ensure DADPCS has the support and services required to have an overall understanding of the integration of software applications, user interaction, and the data to support those functions. In order to ensure the success of this integration, an extensive knowledge of Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture (VistA) packages that support the DADPCS processes is needed. The incumbent of this position provides analytical, planning, and oversight for a variety of software programs integral to the overall administration and operations of the service. The incumbent plays a significant role in DADPCS process re-engineering of administrative programs to integrate with existing and new software applications to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the current service programs. The incumbent conducts business process modeling, projects and studies that will impact on the overall functions of the services in such areas as, policy development and implementation, work methodology, processes, streamlining, program/service goals and objectives, staffing plans, etc. The incumbent is responsible for the planning, implementation, training and coordination for service and facility staff in DADPCS and functional areas for various information technology packages: VISTA packages, e.g. Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), Discharge Data summary; Picis, surgical and critical care applications; Bed Management Solution portal; VetLink point of care kiosks; AMTIS business planning tool; Staffing Methodology calculators; and a multitude of other software modules. The incumbent serves as the functional "expert" for all matters relating to the AcuStaf Nursing Scheduling portal. Additionally, the incumbent provides training on other data analytic web portals, such as the VHA Support Service Center (VSSC), Nursing Unit Mapping Application (NUMA), and Labor Mapping. The incumbent provides assistance, training, and troubleshooting for clinical and administrative staff in the data processes and associated supporting software. Provides training for individual users on daily operational tasks and trains new users. Trains service employees and facility employees in the use of DADPCS programs, to ensure that data is entered correctly and optimizes clinic utilization. Training consists of development and presentation of both formal lectures and on-the-job sessions to those employees who will be entering, changing and extracting data. Trains users in resolving minor processing and equipment problems. The incumbent is the point of contact for OI&T for information technology planning initiative for hardware and software needs for the service. The incumbent is responsible for the development, preparation and implementation of the business contingency plans for system failure specifically addressing manual system backup plans addressing how day to day business will be conducted for long and short-term outages. Collects physical and data security needs for the service areas. The incumbent collaborates with the responsible office(s) for medical center workload to assure the accuracy of the data in VISTA. Incumbent is the business point of contact for all business implementation phrases of new software or devices. The incumbent is the problem solver with the special ability to integrate overall knowledge of the service system with VISTA applications and to be innovative in the process. Assists other services in the medical center to achieve workload studies. Provides testing of new options and software versions prior to implementation to gain familiarity with the new product features and confirm that software is working according to specifications. Provides staff support to OI&T by providing information and analysis of software functions within the service. Is responsible for designing and developing data management analyses, special studies, and reports for use by top management for budget preparation, workload projections, and quality assurance and utilization reviews. The incumbent requires an expert knowledge in business metadata that allows the ability to provide information related to continued business operations and external requests such as The Joint Commission (TJC), System-wide Ongoing Assessment and Review Strategy (SOARS), and other internal audits. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Applications Specialist/PD11764A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized 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 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, 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, 09/18/2026. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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. 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-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Planning, training, and coordination of various software packages; re-engineering of programs to integrate with existing and new software applications; providing assistance, training, and troubleshooting for staff on software and facility processes; supporting software updates; coordinating for equipment installation and replacement; and developing data management analyses, special studies, and reports for use by management. OR, Education Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. in a related field that demonstrates 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. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. (NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.). 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: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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. 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/.