Health System Specialist (GHATP Trainee)

Full Job Description

This position serves as a GHATP Trainee functioning as a Health System Specialist in the Office of the Director of the Medical Facility and is responsible for managing projects and assisting in the coordination of daily office activities.

The position is responsible for all program matters under the direction of the Medical Center Director that is delegated to them.

Click here for more information about the Department of Veterans Affairs's Recent Graduate Program.

RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM: Applicants must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a Master's degree in hospital administration, public health administration or other healthcare admin/management from a qualifying degree program recognized by the Department of Education.

A Master's in business or public administration may be accepted if at least two (2) healthcare courses are taken before completion of degree.

All qualification requirements must be met as of 03/30/2026. Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C.

2108) who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty; however, this eligibility period cannot extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of the requirements of an academic course of study.

Education: Must possess a Master or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., with courses related to the duties of this position.

(Transcript(s) must be submitted) Preferred candidates will possess a degree from a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

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 knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.

~AND~ Provide a Statement of Purpose: Explain how you believe the VHA Health Systems Management Trainee Program will assist you in further defining your primary personal and/or professional life goals.

Why is now the best time for you to pursue this training?

Your explanation should include, but not necessarily be limited to, a description of both your intermediate and longer-term career goals, as well as a current vision of your desired position upon program completion.

Please limit your response to no more than 4000 characters (about one page).

~AND~ Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees serving on a Career or Career Conditional Appointment and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

For this vacancy announcement, applicants must have completed at least 52 weeks at the (GS-7) grade level to be eligible for the (GS-9) grade level.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

In addition to meeting the time in grade requirement, you must meet the following minimum qualifications requirements.

Experience GS-09: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 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: 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.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work.

Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site.

Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Major Duties:

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11.

At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence.

You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11.

Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

The position serves as a Health System Specialist (GHATP Trainee) within a one year formalized national training program (June to June).

The GHATP training program is designed so that the position acquires the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary to assume progressively more complex responsibilities and assist the Office of the Medical Center Director in successfully meeting its mission and strategic goals.

The position will develop an individual development plan (IDP) and receive recurring progress reviews by the supervisor.

Duties include but may not be limited to the following: Utilizes data and reporting tools to develop health-planning strategies impacting the operations of medical centers, network offices, and/or VHACO program offices.

Analyzes data trends in budget and fiscal operations supporting the preparation and execution of budget and committee meetings.

Researches laws, regulations, and policies related to budget and fiscal management displaying knowledge of VA health care system operations.

Participates on project teams in lead or support roles identifying and improving operational processes impacting services of the VA health care system.

Displays knowledge of VA priorities and mission statements to recommend improvements to policy and procedures related to budget and administrative operations.

Observes, analyzes, and reports under professional service direction the areas of discipline, rewards and recognition, reassignment, staff adjustments and realignments, labor/management relationships, affirmative employment, and alternative dispute resolutions and grievances to understand processes for conducting projects and studies.

Performs rotations and on-site visits to make recommendations to the issues and opportunities present at the Network and other VA/VHA facilities and program offices.

Analyzes org charts, policies, VERA and SAIL data to represent the facility/Network, and program office priorities during resource allocation committee meetings.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: To Be Determined Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required