Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

The major duties of the Health System Specialist include, but are not limited to:

• Utilizes Pyramid Analytics, Power BI and other applications to perform sophisticated data analysis, including extracting data from internal and external databases, analyzing and interpreting complex data using basic statistical models, and designing and preparing user-friendly reports. Independently gathers, develops and interprets data from available information systems including ViSTA, Oracle, VHA Support Service Center (VSSC), planning systems, Allocation Resource Center (ARC) and VA performance measurement system and Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL).
• Conducting analysis utilizing a variety of databases to support facility leadership in development and implementation of strategic, tactical and operational plans.
• Reviews, interprets and analyzes VHA information documents, such as VERA workload reports, performance measures, planning models, VSSC and other data sources etc., and translates them into reports and presentations incorporating data mined into sound, useful, visual management information and recommends improvement to operational effectiveness of the medical center.
• Independently studies and analyzes potential or developing problems affecting operations to arrive at appropriate solutions or recommendations for implementation. In doing so, identifies metrics performing below benchmarked standards or failing below the upper or lower control limits of a statically controlled models such as SAIL.
• Serving as subject-matter-expert in areas assigned for study to design studies, collect and analyze data, interpret findings, prepare reports, and communicate recommendations to clinical and administrative leadership.
• Participates in and facilitates transformative quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency improvement efforts.
• Acts as the project lead for healthcare and operational improvement projects.
• Facilitates, coaches, and trains audiences at all levels of the organizations throughout the lifecycle of a performance improvement project.
• Analyze data and conduct background research on issues.
• Pulls, isolates and manipulates data to identify root causes of a performance issue.
• Defines a project scope and goals through a collaborative process with subject matter experts and leadership at the facility, service line or program, or unit level.
• Provides consultation to executive, service line, and program leadership by leveraging VA data analytics resources.
• Collects baseline information, identifies limitations in current systems, and discovers potential improvements.
• Develops statistical, graphical, and narrative reports, and communicates these studies to others.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service

Qualifications

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

Individual Occupational Requirements: The 0671 Health System Specialist occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), that all candidates must meet in order to meet the basic qualifications of the position.

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. Transcripts are required. or

Specialized Experience(for positions above GS-5): Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following:

• Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems;
• Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and
• Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.

• Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements;
• Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-11 in the Federal Service, that is related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as experience which equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully the duties of the Health System Specialist and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: applying specialized principles and practices of health care management to direct/support a health care delivery system; conducting data analysis, studying and analyzing program specific-data, compiling final reports of evaluation efforts and noting discrepancies; planning initiatives for effecting actions and/or reaching established goals; developing background and management options available to deal with complex medical center planning and implementation problems; and knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues related to the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations performed by administrative, technical, and professional personnel and providers.

• Administration and Management
• Communication
• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Organizational Development
• Organizational Awareness
• Systems Engineering
• Organizational Performance Analysis

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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

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.

You must ensure all duties are detailed in your resume and it clearly shows how you meet the specialized experience and the Selective Placement Factor (SPF) required of the position. We cannot make any assumption on duties performed or level of experience based on a job title. All duties must be described under each job entry with the beginning and ending dates of employment (month and year and hours worked per week). If we are unable to determine your qualifications based on the application materials submitted we are unable to refer you for consideration.

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.

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

• Resume

Next steps