Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

24d • Onsite

About The Position

The Program Specialist supports the Health Care System’s mission, goals, and objectives by delivering policy and document management. The position is aligned under the Chief of Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Service and may report quantitative and qualitative analyses directly to the Director and the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN). The specialist serves as a consultant to Executive Leadership, providing guidance on the Policy and Directive Management Program (PDMP), and acts as the technical advisor and subject matter expert for policy and directive management across the healthcare system.

The role develops and refines facility-wide processes, instructions, procedures, policies, and directives to improve integration, performance, standardization, and organizational effectiveness. It researches, analyzes, interprets, and applies laws, regulations, policies, and evidence-based guidance; supports the development and submission of implementation plans and policy documents; and advises staff and leaders on compliant governance and policy practices. The position also supports accreditation activities and manages logistics for surveys, inspections, and site visits, along with Office of Inspector General (OIG) requests, referrals, status reports, action plans, and responses.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is not a virtual position. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition after meeting regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized, and the Critical Skills Incentive is not approved.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Complete all required application steps, including the online assessment measuring critical general competencies.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must be able to undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date: for GS-7, 52 weeks at GS-5; for GS-9, 52 weeks at GS-7. Supporting SF-50 documentation is required where applicable.
• GS-7 qualification may be met through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, one year of graduate-level education, superior academic achievement, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• GS-9 qualification may be met through one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, a related LL.B. or J.D., or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For GS-7, specialized experience examples include policy and document management, administrative support for program functions, report creation, processing requests, tracking action items and data, and monitoring customer satisfaction.
• For GS-9, specialized experience examples include advising Executive Leadership on policy development and program management, process improvement and accreditation/site-visit preparation, and administering, analyzing, and performing work related to organizational policy and governance.
• If relying on education to qualify, submit a transcript; education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine facility-wide processes, instructions, and procedures to improve integration, performance, and standardization across the healthcare system.
• Ensure policy and process alignment with directives, laws, statutes, and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidance.
• Support the creation, management, and submission of implementation plans and policy documents needed to operationalize programs.
• Advise and assist staff at all levels, including Service Chiefs, program managers, supervisors, and frontline employees, on policies and directives affecting patient care, performance outcomes, and clinical operations.
• Research, analyze, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, policies, and evidence-based guidance to develop policies that safeguard Veteran information and enhance operations.
• Contribute to accreditation activities and coordinate logistics for site visits, inspections, and accreditation surveys, including preparation and scheduling.
• Develop responses to OIG referrals and status requests, manage action items arising from survey findings, and handle OIG data requests and submissions.
• Provide expert guidance to senior leaders on organizational policies and governance.
• Ensure accreditation requirements are met and required documentation is maintained.
• Analyze organizational structures, functions, and workflows to resolve complex issues affecting major programs.
• Develop and recommend new policies and improvements to enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Coordinate, draft, and submit policy documents for multidisciplinary operations.
• Assist in developing concepts and initiatives into practical proposals for testing and change, and help update policies to meet future healthcare system needs.
• Serve as the technical advisor and subject matter expert for policy and directive management across the healthcare system.
• Mentor and guide disciplines in producing compliant policies, directives, procedures, and programs for an effective governance structure.
• Create administrative policies and documents, such as Employee Handbooks, when appropriate.
• Develop healthcare system policy and directive procedures in alignment with Department and Administration requirements and support their effective implementation.
• Serve as the OIG liaison; prepare agendas, coordinate key staff involvement, and oversee OIG status reports, action plans, and responses to Veteran complaint referrals.

Benefits

• The posting states that federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, with benefits available to employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is required and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level