Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Stockton, CA

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Specialist manages day-to-day operational functions at assigned Southern Tier clinic sites and provides cross-coverage across Southern Tier campuses as needed. The role covers program management, process improvement, service recovery, safety and emergency management, space and equipment utilization, and contract management. The position may be eligible for ad-hoc telework; eligibility will be discussed during the interview. It is not a virtual position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Promotion to the full performance level may be possible without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion. Relocation, recruitment, and permanent change-of-station incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
For GS-7 qualification through experience, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a combination of experience and education may be used.
For GS-9 qualification through experience, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, including relevant program operations analysis and knowledge of contractual and procurement guidelines; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a combination may be used.
Current or former Federal employees subject to time-in-grade requirements must meet the applicable requirement by the announcement closing date; GS-7 applicants must have 52 weeks at GS-5.
Training and experience in the VANCHCS SERVE model and use of PATS.
Complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Review and implement administrative program guidance, policies, and procedures, and work with clinic leadership to ensure clinic staff compliance.
Monitor and study work operations to identify opportunities for improvement.
Serve as a patient advocate and refer patient concerns to appropriate parties for service recovery and resolution.
Investigate and draft replies on behalf of executive leadership to Congressional inquiries, Veterans Service Officer inquiries, Patient Advocate Tracking System reports, and other customer-service concerns.
Serve as clinic safety officer and emergency management coordinator, promoting a culture of safety among staff.
Conduct routine environment-of-care inspections and work with appropriate services to address deficiencies.
Maintain and update the clinic emergency management plan, orient new staff to the plan, and coordinate routine emergency drills.
Manage space assignments and utilization reviews.
Participate in health care system Space Committee meetings concerning space requests for the assigned clinic.