Health System Specialist

Full Job Description

The Health System Specialist (HSS) is located in the Office of the Chief of Staff (COS), located at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) Health Care System.

The Health System Specialist provides support for complex clinical operations as the coordinator, advisor, analyst, and planner for multiple program design and development processes among integrated services and the delivery of health care services.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/09/2026.

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health System Specialist.

Qualifying specialized experience is defined as 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: (1) Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.

At this level, applicants would have obtained this experience working within a health care setting, working directly with clinicians and local leadership to solve problems in support of the delivery of patient care; applying organizational and system-wide strategies for continuous quality improvement; and experience running and supervising an administrative component of a health care credentialing and privileging program.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Interpersonal Skills Leadership Quality Assurance Technical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. Occasionally, light physical effort may be required, such as that involved with walking, stair climbing, and carrying of light office items.

The work is performed in an office setting which requires normal safety precautions typical for offices and meeting rooms. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

The work may require travel.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Duties included but not limited too: The HSS is responsible in the provision of continuity between the Office of the Chief of Staff, clinical service chiefs, care line managers, and the JHQVAMC Office of the COS for researching and interpreting internal and external policies, directives, survey standards, and regulatory requirements.

The incumbent responsibilities include multiple and complex systemic activities relating to all aspects of clinical operations, including coordinating utilization management and quality assurance activities to increase the efficiency and appropriateness with which services are provided and resources are utilized.

The incumbent involves assessing the appropriateness and timeliness of care methods provided using written measurable criteria.

The incumbent monitors, as directed by the COS, clinical operations including review, analysis and reporting of workload statistics and program functions.

Identifies clinical operations activities which require educational intervention or additional training.

Collaborates with the COS, Education and health care professional to ensure that identified educational needs are met.

The incumbent serves on facility committees and task groups as requested, providing support and input on a variety of facility issues and concerns.

Represents the COS at meeting or on committees when COS is unavailable.

The incumbent establishes effective tracking systems and conducts statistical analyses on the data to identify patterns, trends, and variance.

Incumbent selects and utilizes appropriate evaluation measures, conducts qualitative and quantitative data analyses, and summarizes significant results and recommendations to improve services and to promote quality care.

The incumbent provides guidance that assures findings are used to modify and improve program processes and systems to facilitate achievement of the health care system strategic plan.

The HSS prepares and submits provider-specific quality assessment information for use in program quantitative and qualitative evaluations.

Works closely with decision-support services (DSS) staff to provide mapping information on staff for the JHQVAMC complex clinical operations.

Incumbent is responsible for the coordination and preparation of recurring or one-time requested reports related to clinical operations ensuring that reports are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.

The HSS assists service chiefs and care line managers in preparing organizational and functional charts and is responsible for maintaining accurate provider listing and the administrative functions related to the recruitment of qualified providers, clinical service chiefs, and administrative support staff aligned organizationally under the COS office.

The incumbent participates in the analyses of clinical service and care line staffing patterns, including staff utilization, recruiting, and FTEE acquisition and allocation.

This includes working closely with Human Resources (HR) in the recruitment process (board actions for physician staff, announcing the position, certification of qualified candidates, coordinating with selecting official for interview width candidates, establishment of start date for selected candidate, and writing position descriptions).

The incumbent is the COS liaison for other HR activities; including, but not limited to, proficiencies for physicians and nurses, performance appraisals (initial, mid-year, and final) for supervisory (Executive Career Field) and non-supervisory staff, license renewal for physicians and nurses, competency assessments, promotions, and disciplinary and counseling consultation.

The incumbent is responsible for satisfactory resolution of complex patient concerns that reach the level of the Executive Leadership Team and serves as program resource for internal control systems ensuring appropriate management controls are in place for all key functions and coordinates required reporting for various COS and COS reports.

Serves as the COS' representative for facility safety inspections and as the Hazard Communication Coordinator for JHQVAMC Leadership, managing and maintaining current material safety data sheet (MSDS) files, maintaining chemical inventory lists, and coordinating hazard communication training for staff with the Industrial Hygienist.

In the performance of official duties, the incumbent has access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive information, which must be protected under the provisions of he Privacy Act of 1974, and other applicable laws and regulations.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:15pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD605160 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized