Program Support Assistant

Summary

The position serves as a Compensation and Pension (C&P) Program Specialist in the Veteran Service Department, St. Cloud VA Health Administration Service. The selectee must initiate and carry out a variety of advisory and technical duties, i.e. receiving and scheduling requests for C&P examinations, providing administrative support to the clinical staff who perform C&P exams, communicating with the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) and Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA).

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/26/2024 to 05/06/2024

• Salary

$48,018 - $69,369 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 6 - 7

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Saint Cloud, MN

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

7

• Job family (Series)

0303 Miscellaneous Clerk And Assistant

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSY-12391807-24-YKS

• Control number

788696800

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This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent, facility employees, Veteran Canteen Service, and CTAP eligible.

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Duties

• Practical knowledge of technical methods used for Compensation and Pension (C&P) clinic setup and scheduling; knowledge and ability to coordinate multiple appointments on the same day for the C&P examinations in order to avoid unnecessary travel for the Veteran and improve the working relationship with Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA).

• Skill in careful questioning of Veterans is necessary to ensure prompt and correct referrals following a C&P exam to assist in expediting required tests.

• Must have a thorough knowledge of the Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture (VistA) and the scheduling package and processes.

• Have a thorough working knowledge of other computer systems necessary to manage, control, secure, coordinate and implement computer activities.

• Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, polices, guidelines and procedures is required.

• Knowledge of the organizational and interdepartmental relationships of an active Medical Center and the C&P process as a whole.

• Knowledge of policies and procedures associated with operational activities that affect the flow of requests in and out of the Medical Center.

• Knowledge of the Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA) - Veteran Health Administration (VHA) collaborative process as it relates to examination requests.

• Knowledge of medical terminology is critical due to the technical nature of language utilized by clinicians and VBA.

• Must demonstrate an awareness and appreciation for the pressures and demands of this position and be able to deal effectively with responsibilities.

• Must be able to maintain cooperative, effective relationships with a wide variety of individuals.

• Must have knowledge of the laws and regulations for pre-discharge claims and their relationship with eligibility for VA healthcare benefits.

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.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday, 8:00am

• 4:30pm

Telework: 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. Telework eligibility is Ad-hoc.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD90509A and PD90510A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Bargaining Unit: Yes, AFGE/1272

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

• You may be required to serve a probationary period

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/06/2024.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. NOTE: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Preferred Experience: The selectee must initiate and carry out a variety of advisory and technical duties, including receiving and scheduling requests for Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations, providing administrative support to the clinical staff who perform C&P exams, as well as, communicating with the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) and the Office of Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA).

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

• Specialized Experience GS-6: You must have one (1) 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: experience where you were responsible for providing administrative support such as assigning training requirements for newly assigned staff, tracking and reviewing completion compliance and any updates or changes as needed; delivering appropriate forms/documents to chart preparation areas within a facility; following up on cases specific issues, sharing information, and collaborating with providers, peers, or stakeholders to ensure complete and accurate information for patients, and issuing briefs, action items, and patient complaint investigations appropriately. NOTE: 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.

To qualify at the GS-7 grade level:

• Specialized Experience GS-7: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience where you were responsible for providing administrative support functions within a healthcare facility; acting as a liaison between healthcare facilities and Veterans regarding compensation and pension processes; providing training to new and current employees; familiarity with applying clinic stop codes and ensuring clinic availability is reflected accurately; ability to work with staff from various services; using various software systems to monitor completion of exams, assist with preparing beneficiary travel claims, and maintaining all policies, procedures and operational manuals. NOTE: 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.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Clerical

• Computer Skills

• Customer Service

• Organizational Awareness

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.

Note: 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.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting where there may be frequent contacts with emotionally disturbed patients. Safety precautions are necessary.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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 either grade levels for this position.

Additional information

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 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/.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.