Credentialing Program Assistant

Summary

The Credentialing Program Assistant serves as a subject matter expert to Licensed Independent Practitioners and Service Chiefs on both routine and complex matters related to credentialing and privileging, including assessing provider competence for ongoing provider practice evaluations and focused provider practice evaluations. The functions of the Medical Staff Office are critical to patient safety and to ensuring the quality of care provided at the Portland VA Medical Center.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities: Assists the C&P Manager/Analyst in developing short- and long-term goals necessary to accomplish the mission of the C&P program. Serves as the subject matter expert in the field of credentials and clinical privileging. Receives and reviews correspondence and communications for the C&P function and determines which items require immediate attention and which are confidential. Ensures accurate provider data is entered into and maintained in the VetPro computer program. Manages provider applications (initial and renewals) for LIPs C&P within the VAMC. Provides guidance and instruction to hospital staff in completing the required documentation for establishing privileges for LIPs. Communicates with LIPs to assure timely completion of applications and VetPro requirements. Determines processes for the coordination of incoming data and documents from a variety of sources. Serves as technical advisor to the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff (ECMS) and, if applicable, the Credentials Committee. Conducts final appointment into the VetPro database, after thoroughly researching, analyzing, and validating all data, information, documents, and signature authorities. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Credentialing Program Assistant/PD21794-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 10/19/2026. You may qualify based on your specialized 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: Ensures accurate provider data is entered into and maintained in computer programs. Ensures current information is present on providers relative to licensure, certifications, and other required documentation. Prepares agendas for meetings, ensures those involved are notified of expectations, and ensures all necessary paperwork is completed and accurately prepared for committee action. Creates an automated system of program-specific data to track suspense on items such as project milestones, progress reports, and compliance strategies. Establishes and maintains a variety of files and records. Preferred Experience: Serving as a subject matter expert (SME) in the field of medical staff credentialing and clinical privileging, including familiarity with VetPro or similar credentialing management systems. In-depth understanding of, and experience applying, The Joint Commission (T JC) standards, VHA policy, and other regulatory/credentialing requirements in a healthcare setting. Direct experience performing primary source verification of provider credentials (licenses, DEA certifications, specialty training, board certifications, etc.). Demonstrated skill in managing, tracking, and auditing credentialing data within computer programs and electronic databases, with experience in maintaining accurate, up-to-date records and preparing quality assurance reports. Assisting in and/or leading continuous process improvements for credentialing operations, including drafting procedures or protocols and conducting annual self­-assessments. Managing confidential provider documents in compliance with the Privacy Act and other federal data privacy standards. Experience reconciling program-related financial transactions and supporting payments (e.g., for NPDB enrollments, license verifications). Providing training and instruction to staff on credentialing processes and requirements. 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. 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. How You Will Be Evaluated

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. Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Salary/Rank etc Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held References, current or recent supervisor Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. 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. 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/.