Health System Specialist - Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Trainee

This position serves as a GHATP Trainee functioning as a Health System Specialist in the Office of the Director of the Medical Facility and is responsible for managing projects and assisting in the coordination of daily office activities. The position is responsible for all program matters under the direction of the Medical Center Director that is delegated to them. Click here for more information about the Department of Veterans Affairs's Recent Graduate Program.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

The position serves as a Health System Specialist (GHATP Trainee) within a one year formalized national training program (June to June). The GHATP training program is designed so that the position acquires the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary to assume progressively more complex responsibilities and assist the Office of the Medical Center Director in successfully meeting its mission and strategic goals. The position will develop an individual development plan (IDP) and receive recurring progress reviews by the supervisor.

Duties include but may not be limited to the following:

• Utilizes data and reporting tools to develop health-planning strategies impacting the operations of medical centers, network offices, and/or VHACO program offices.
• Analyzes data trends in budget and fiscal operations supporting the preparation and execution of budget and committee meetings.
• Researches laws, regulations, and policies related to budget and fiscal management displaying knowledge of VA health care system operations.
• Participates on project teams in lead or support roles identifying and improving operational processes impacting services of the VA health care system.
• Displays knowledge of VA priorities and mission statements to recommend improvements to policy and procedures related to budget and administrative operations.
• Observes, analyzes, and reports under professional service direction the areas of discipline, rewards and recognition, reassignment, staff adjustments and realignments, labor/management relationships, affirmative employment, and alternative dispute resolutions and grievances to understand processes for conducting projects and studies.
• Performs rotations and on-site visits to make recommendations to the issues and opportunities present at the Network and other VA/VHA facilities and program offices.
• Analyzes org charts, policies, VERA and SAIL data to represent the facility/Network, and program office priorities during resource allocation committee meetings.

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. The grade progression for this position is GS-11.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the Agency)
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Ad-hoc - As determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist - Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Trainee
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:06/24/2026.

RECENT GRADUATE REQUIREMENT: The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is open to recent graduates who are legally permitted to work in the U.S. To be eligible.. You must have obtained one of the following qualifying degrees, certificate, career, or technical education programs: associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctoral, or technical/vocational degree or certificate (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps) from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years.

• This program is for one year; and
• An applicant within 9 months of completing qualifying education may apply, but they must successfully complete academic requirements prior to appointment. The servicing HR Office may use this flexibility at its discretion based on hiring needs and the timing of the recruitment. See the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions.

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree (certification and/or career/technical program) was completed.

Individual Occupational Requirements: Applicants who meet the Individual Occupational Requirements described below are fully qualified for the specified entry grade and must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements.
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Possesses an 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.

OR

Specialized Experience: 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; and Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.

OR

Special Provision for Inservice Placement: Successfully completed an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program that may be substituted for qualifying experience, (provided it included a formal individualized training plan). Such training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program.
In addition to meeting the above Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), applicants must also meet the experience and/or directly related education relevant to this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-9 Grade Level:

Specialized Experience:
You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes:

• Experience working with Service Chiefs/or equivalent.
• Experience in data analysis including communicating data to stakeholders.
• Skilled in written and oral communication to all levels of an organization.
• Skilled in working with Microsoft Suite.

OR

Education: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, successfully completed two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, LL.B or J.D in a related field of the position to be filled (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). 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.

OR Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position (i.e. hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as course work in health care administration). This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

GS-11 Grade Level:

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes:

• Experience developing and presents innovative project recommending improvements to policies, procedures, and services.
• Experience analyzing organizational charts, policies, and other data to represent the facility, Network, and program office priorities.
• Experience analyzing data trends in budget and fiscal operations in support of meetings.
• Experience utilizing mission statements to recommend improvements to policy and procedures related to budget and administrative operations.

OR

Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, Or LL.M in the related field of the position to be filled (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university.

OR

Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration).

Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.

Volunteer Experience: 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.
Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.
Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office.

Education to ensure applicants are fully aware of mobility and SOU that they will have to sign: GRADUATE HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING PROGRAM (GHATP) STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING: I understand the purpose of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) is to develop qualified employees who possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide effective staff support to key health care management officials as well as lead the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare delivery system into the 21st century.

Accordingly, I understand I may be assigned to another VA facility after successful completion of the training period which will be made in the Department's interest; and that, while my preferences will be considered when administratively feasible, I will be expected to accept assignment at any VA facility in the continental United States where my services are needed.

I further understand that this training program is an integral part of a management development system designed to provide, through the progressive development of career employees, for the ongoing replenishment of qualified personnel in key administrative and management positions in the VHA.

Accordingly, I understand that upon successful completion of training, I will be expected, with supervisory assistance, to plan and execute self-development activities progressively throughout my career.

Should the supervisor/mentor of my training determine at any time that I am failing to meet the objectives of the program, I will be advised in writing of the specific deficiencies in my performance and given a 60-calendar day improvement period. During this 60-day period, my mentor will meet periodically to evaluate my performance. If upon completion of the 60-day improvement period I remain deficient in meeting program objectives as determined by my supervisor, I agree to be reassigned to other positions for which I qualify at my current grade level. Should I select a position in a different commuting area, I understand that no guarantee will be made for payment of my relocation expenses.

If I enter the program through voluntary change to lower grade, I understand that re-promotion to my former grade is neither guaranteed nor implied. Furthermore, I understand that my agreeing to a voluntary reduction in grade constitutes a waiver of my right to appeal my grade reduction to the Merit Systems Protection Board, in accordance with Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations, paragraph 432.102 (b) (11).

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job | Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 | Required to sign a GHATP Mobility and Statement of Understanding and serve a trial period. | 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.