Program Support Assistant

Veterans Health Administration•Charleston, SC

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Support Assistant serves as the primary person responsible for the Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS) Program at a VA medical facility, under the Chief, Social Work or Social Work Executive. SAMS provides personalized, supportive services to families, caregivers, and survivors at the end of a Veteran’s life, and ensures Veterans without identified family receive dignified burials that honor their service. The position develops facility SAMS procedures, coordinates notifications and support after Veteran deaths, provides information about funeral, interment, and survivor benefits, and helps determine appropriate disposition of unclaimed remains. It also provides program assistance and customer service to callers, walk-in customers, Active Service Members, and others. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, subject to change based on agency needs. Ad hoc telework may be authorized; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6, including experience relevant to SAMS procedures, survivor support, unclaimed remains, scheduling, customer inquiries, or program assistance.
For current or former federal employees subject to the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-6 for a GS-7 position.
U.S. citizenship.
Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959.
Successful completion of a background/security investigation.
Completion of the online onboarding process and provision of acceptable identification documents.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Service of a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Develop VA medical facility SAMS standard operating procedures, including written procedures for clinical staff or health care providers to notify SAMS staff or the Health Administrative Specialist on Duty, chaplain, and social work staff of Veteran deaths.
Ensure bereaved family members are offered information about funeral, interment, and survivors’ benefits, and referrals to VBA or NCA to access benefits.
Ensure remains are assessed to determine whether they are unclaimed and recommend appropriate disposition to the VA medical facility Director.
Schedule and prepare for appointments, briefings, and conferences.
Determine the needs of callers and walk-in customers asking questions about SAMS, VHA, and VBA.
Provide customer service and program assistance to Active Service Members and others in need of assistance.
Develop rapport and maintain effective relationships with medical center personnel at all levels.