Health System Specialist (GHATP)

Full Job Description

This position serves as a GHATP Trainee functioning as a Health System Specialist in the Office of the Director of the Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:02/17/2026.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE 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 by 04/03/2024. 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~ You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09 Qualifications Specialized Experience: 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: (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.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.

Note: Transcript required. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond 18 semester hours) as described above. Note: Transcript required.

GS-11 Qualifications Specialized Experience: 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.

OR, EDUCATION: Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration).

OR, Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond 18 semester hours) as described above Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g.

have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.

Volunteer Experience: 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, although slight physical effort may be required. 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. The grade progression for this position is GS-11.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist (GHATP); Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not requried