Program Support Assistant (Medicine Sub-Specialty)

The primary purpose of this position is to provide administrative information and assistance to the supervisor and staff, on the practical and technical aspects of office administration, to include budgeting and other administrative support services, and to perform staff support work. Facilitates coordination of master staffing schedules ensuring twenty-four-hour availability of clinical personnel. Assists the Chief of Medicine (Service Chief) and Administrative Officer (AO) in daily operation.

30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager. Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions. After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Advisory Services: Provided on the basis of persona; knowledge or on the basis of personal research in the guidelines or contacts with the offices and individuals within the service. Budget and Financial Management: Collects data for the unit's operating budget, consolidates material into an annual service budget; sets up controls to monitor expenses during the year; and recommends budget adjustments including restructuring budget allocations or work plans to deal with changing situations such as varying costs for equipment parts, or services, and changes in the availability of funds. Alerts the Administrative Officer or other authority of significant issues/problems, such as overspending in assigned accounts. Serves as technical resource to unit personnel on travel policies and regulations, and provides information on travel allowances and requirements. Prepares travel authorizations and vouchers using automated systems and software for travel and voucher preparation. Researches accounting problems such as erroneous payments, object class errors, unobligated commitments, and late payments, and ensures corrections and/or adjustments documents are entered into the accounting systems. Office Program Work: Collect data, review, analyze and develop plan (if necessary), monitors signed/unsigned clinical notes, to improve access and in support of completing outpatient encounters. Provides data and proposals to the Chief of Medicine (Service Chief) and Administrative Officer (AO) for this same function. Assists with identification of staffing shortages and deficiencies assuring efficient allocation of clinical personnel needed to maintain safe unit staffing levels as needed. Ensures data validation from (Gains and Loss [G&L], inpatient rosters and Cost Data Reports [CDR]). Compiles data, produces trends and makes recommendations based on the data and requirements, to assist the Sub-Specialty Chief with VA, national and local regulatory compliance. Participates in the development and review of clinical staffing and scheduling policies /procedures. Office Services: Assists Administrative Officer (AO) with Credentialing and Privileging of Physicians, Mid-Level Providers, and Dependent Providers. Conducts extensive research and compilation of data from diverse sources. Extracts and assembles information, conducts analysis and develops reports. Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and program management software. Responsible for data collection, analysis, and reporting for the assigned Sub-Specialty Section. Pulls data from systems such as VHA Support Service Center (VSSC), Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL), and Specialty Productivity Access Report and Quadrant Tool (SPARQ), including those reports built using Pyramid Analytics, and VISTA for Budget reports. Serves as Sub-Specialty section expert on Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA) reports. Reviews and updates labor mapping for section staff, works with MCA staff to address concerns with cost outliers. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (Medicine Sub-Specialty)/PD11873A

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. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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.