Health System Specialist (Associate Group Practice Manager)

Veterans Health Administration•Big Spring, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Health System Specialist (Associate Group Practice Manager) reports to the Ambulatory Care Operations Director (ACOD)/Group Practice Manager (GPM). The position provides assistance and support to the ACOD/GPM and ambulatory care services at the facility and related Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), particularly regarding access to care. The specialist provides consultative support on access, policy, process improvement, analytics, resource planning, and administrative program matters. The role works with facility service lines, clinic managers, clinical leads, Veteran Experience Officers, and personnel at the facility and CBOCs to align local operations with applicable facility, national, and VISN standards and improve access and the Veteran Experience. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad-hoc telework may be authorized; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11 in the Federal Service, directly related to the position.
Specialized experience must include progressively responsible analytical, administrative, clinical management, or supervisory work in the health care field.
Experience must involve close work with facility managers and analysis or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities.
Knowledge of health care delivery system missions, organizations, programs, and requirements.
Knowledge of regulations and standards of regulatory and credentialing groups.
Knowledge of government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.
Experience in a health care setting working directly with healthcare professionals and organizational leadership to solve problems supporting patient care and program or operational functions.
Experience using qualitative and quantitative analytical or evaluative methods to develop or manage major administrative programs or improve complex management processes and systems.
Knowledge of national administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to public programs.
Expertise with computer and data management packages and VA databases; examples include Clinic Practice Management Dashboard, VistA, CPRS, Clinic Access Index, Access Glide Path, SAIL, SPARQ, SHEP, and Pyramid.
Knowledge of agency program goals and objectives, key program events and milestones, and methods for evaluating program accomplishments.
Ability to plan, organize, and lead teams in implementing recommendations where goals may conflict.
Current Federal employees who have held a GS grade within the past 52 weeks must meet time-in-grade requirements: 52 weeks at GS-11 for a GS-12 position.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, complete the required application steps and online assessment, and meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
The position requires a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
No educational substitution is available at this grade level.

Responsibilities

Provide access-related consulting with facility service lines to review and develop guidance and policies that support standardized processes at the facility and applicable CBOCs.
Review regulations and policies and provide input for local interpretation using group practice management and communication strategies.
Evaluate assigned processes and procedures for effectiveness, efficiency, and improvement, and propose changes through the local GPM group and supervisor.
Promote established system-wide training plans to optimize local use.
Work with Veteran Experience Officers to evaluate patient and family concerns about access to needed services.
Align local processes with higher-level planning and policies.
Apply access-improvement principles and strategies to review and recommend actions to clinical leads, including strategies to reduce backlogs.
Work with local personnel to integrate data analytics and measures with continuous process improvement using LEAN, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to meet and sustain ambulatory care goals.
Apply knowledge of VHA and local organizational philosophy, policies, and management principles to process improvement.
Work independently with facility and CBOC personnel to implement local, national, and VISN standards, and report or address administrative process or system issues and other concerns.
Help clinic managers forecast the effects of staffing changes and develop countermeasures to mitigate the impact of staff shortages on access to care.
Work with clinic managers to formulate budget recommendations for outpatient clinical services and allocate available resources to optimize access and the Veteran Experience.
Provide administrative program advice for ambulatory care clinical support services.
Implement established action plans so clinical grids accurately reflect supply.
Serve as a liaison or point of contact for internal or external communications on clinical access issues, representing Group Practice Management.
In the supervisor’s absence, potentially represent ambulatory care management and the Chief of Staff with professional groups and administrative staff to coordinate activities and resolve problems.
Establish and maintain relationships with other medical centers, medical societies, medical schools, colleges and universities, accrediting agencies, public health officials and organizations, volunteer work groups, and the community.