Health System Specialist Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Trainee

Full Job Description

Serves as a GHATP Trainee as a Health System Specialist in the Director Office, CWM Leeds MA, VA Medical Center This position is being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program.

This program provides recent graduates with work experience 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, 04/22/2026.

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 the closing date of this announcement. 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).

In addition to the recent graduate requirement the applicant must also meet the below specialized experience and/or education requirements.

GS-9 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.

-OR- EDUCATION: 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.

-OR- Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond 18 semester hours) as described above.

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: Work is primarily sedentary, although slight physical effort may be required.

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:

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

The GHATP training program is designed so that the incumbent 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 incumbent will develop an individual development plan (IDP) and receive recurring progress reviews by the supervisor.

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.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Utilizes data and reporting tools to develop health-planning service line strategies.

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

Gathers organizational data from reports and media request packages in preparation for media and community events either separately or in conjunction with the Public Affairs Office.

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

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

Manages, leads, and administers project plans which include meeting objectives, assigning resources, giving briefings and presentations as project representative, maintaining quality assurance processes, creating project documentation, and completing after action review reports and follow-up procedures in conduct comprehensive project management.

Participates in local hospital council, veteran organization, and community organization meetings with facility and regional senior leader staff members.

Reviews and reports on policies in preparation for surveys, audits, and inspections in quality assurance, compliance, and procedures governed by internal and external organizations.

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 (GS 11).

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00 am- 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc may be authorized Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Trainee/PDS0001-A Education Reduction Program: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.

May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion.