Health System Specialist (GHATP Trainee)

Full Job Description

This position is being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program.

This program provides recent graduates with work experience directly related to their degree and career goals while offering eligibility for conversion to permanent employment upon completion of the program requirements.

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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:04/17/2026.

RECENT GRADUATE REQUIREMENT: The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is open to recent graduates who are legally permitted to work in the U.S. To be eligible..

You must have obtained one of the following qualifying degrees, certificate, career, or technical education programs: associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctoral, or technical/vocational degree or certificate (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps) from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years.

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty.

Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree (certification and/or career/technical program) was completed.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: You must have one of the following: EDUCATION: Undergraduate or Graduate Education with a major study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.

-OR- EXPERIENCE: 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.

GS-9 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of analytical and investigative techniques concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of work operations carried out by administrative personnel, or substantive administrative support functions within a service line of a medical center related to preparing and coordinating budget, staff, and project papers and reports.

Knowledge of programs and functions in a service line of a medical center obtained through health care administration master-level degree work or specialized experience to generate findings and recommendations for improvement in planning and management.

Skill in inter-personal relationships to present staffing recommendations and negotiate solutions to disputed recommendations.

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, or LL.B.

or J.D., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and graduate education 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 REQUIREMENT: Work is primarily sedentary, although slight physical effort may be required. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: You must be a U.S.

Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Required to sign a Pathways Program Participant Agreement and serve a probationary/trial period.

Subject to background/security investigation 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Major Duties:

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.

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

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.

This position is assigned to the Director's Office of a VA Medical Center/VISN/VHACO Program Office and works closely with all management staff under the supervision of a preceptor (Director) in providing support to top management and learning to lead a VA Healthcare Delivery System or a smaller component/function of a VA Medical Center or Healthcare System.

The position must be assigned to the Office of the Director organizational unit, or an organizational unit responsible for similar, identical, or related functions and report to the Executive Assistant.

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-9 , GS -11.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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