Health System Specialist

There are four VISN 4 Health System Specialist vacancies: 1) Executive Assistant to the Chief Medical Officer; 2) Executive Assistant to the Chief Nursing Officer; 3) Executive Assistant to the Quality Management Officer; and 4) Executive Assistant to the Deputy Network Director, providing expert-level analysis and program management across the full scope of the assigned portfolio.

• Briefs management on all implications of actions proposed and makes recommendations to approve, disapprove, or modify specific proposals, many of which have Department-wide impact that affect VA's relations with other agencies and outside business organizations.
• Navigates VISN and HSA governance to appropriately manage and document decision-making.
• Evaluates, processes, or makes recommendations for effective organizational changes affecting several departments.
• Leads, coordinates, plans, organizes, and carries through to completion program plans, program/policy/legislative analysis, data collection and analytical studies involving Federal and VA programs and policies.
• Acts as the main liaison for the executive, managing information flow and assignments between VHA, VISN, HSA, and facility programs.
• Facilitates the collaboration between the offices above, and with relevant HSA and facility points of contact, ensuring cross-department functions are accomplished.
• Provides direction, advice and support to staff members and formulates and participates in the development of health care management policies, programs and operations.
• Exercises delegated authority to sign documents and commit resources to program initiatives that are considered under the scope, purview and known viewpoints.
• Works in collaboration with Executive Leadership Team in overseeing a multitude of health care management modalities.
• Develops broad themes and directs proceedings of high-level conferences where work and decisions have a major impact on the agency or an important subject of program.

Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series. To qualify for the GS 0671 occupational series, applicants MUST possess one of the following:

• Undergraduate and Graduate Education:
  • Major study -- 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:
  • Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a 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.

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Researches and/or analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements. Provides expert analysis and advice on complex program issues. Plans and/or supports committees, boards, symposia, or conferences. Develops broad themes and directs proceedings of high-level conferences where work and decisions have a major impact on the agency or an important subject or program. Monitors management decisions and initiatives to ensure consistency with strategic plans and goals. Performs administrative work in one or more of the following areas: personnel management/administration, budgeting and financial management, procurement and contracting, property management, and/or supply. Acts as an expert on special projects, advising top management on major office issues. Manages and/or prepares responses to correspondence in an organization; and/or acts as a liaison or handles the communication with persons and/or groups within and outside of the organization.

• 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 is sedentary. Some travel is required- up to 25%. No special physical demands apply. 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)

• 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.