Program Analyst (Informatics) (TCF Trainee)
Summary
A two-year training role in VA’s Technical Career Field where you analyze and improve healthcare IT workflows, support EHR optimization, and collaborate with clinical teams to enhance patient care systems.
The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The Program Analyst (Informatics) position is in the Quality Management service line at the VA Maine Healthcare System located at the Augusta, ME location. This is a full-time position at 40 hours a week.
The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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 Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee is an integral member of a Quality Management service line that uses communication, education, and leadership to support comprehension of and adaptation to organizational updates; leveraging project management principles and environmental assessment to drive adoption of change. Duties include, but are not limited to: Routine dialog to enable the sustainment and optimization of our health information technology (IT) solutions and workflows, for the benefit of all staff and Veterans. Cultivates a healthy collaboration between enterprise and facility level clinical / biomedical engineering staff and health informatics, ensuring that patient care technology is effectively and efficiently integrated into the clinical process. Supports the thorough analysis of a workflow to consider opportunities for the potential improvement or optimization of the behavior of people, systems, information, and tools. Ensures the VHA EHR operates in a way that improves patient care, ensures patient safety, and meets the needs of providers through continuous evaluation, testing, and improvement of the system. Applies a true end-to-end process to evaluate workflows, identify issues, develop solutions based on best practice guidelines, and resolves and communicates changes. Studies how people interact with devices, products, and systems. Utilizes an applied field where behavioral science, engineering, and other disciplines come together to develop the principles that help assure that devices and systems are optimized for the people meant to use them. Evaluates, documents, analyzes, prioritizes, and recognizes requirements for the improvement of the EHR and other systems in collaboration with the end-user. Supports the initial phase of requirements analysis where information is gathered on what an IT system needs to perform by engaging with business owners, subject matter experts (SME). Uses communication, education, and leadership to support comprehension of and adaptation to organizational updates. Provides communication channels to clinical and business teams to support deployment, sustainment, and optimization efforts. Performs activities that support the management and delivery of educational experiences using information solutions and technology in all areas of healthcare. Utilizes innovative practice patterns and specializations to continuously develop the informatics role and associated competencies, aligning it with the strategic needs of the organization. Develops and provides formal and informal education and in-services to facility staff as required to facilitate program success. Work Schedule: Full-Time Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm or 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst (Informatics) (TCF Trainee)/PD99353-TS Notifications: This position is in the Competitive Service. This position is in an AFGE Bargaining Unit. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. No award SF50's will be accepted.
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.