Health System Specialist (Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (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:03/12/2026.

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.

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).

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.

AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience (GS-9): 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: Qualifying specialized experience is defined as 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 in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.

OR Combining Education & Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

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

Specialized Experience (GS-11): You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Qualifying specialized experience is defined as knowledge of analytical and investigative techniques concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations carried out by administrative or professional personnel, or substantive administrative support functions to prepare budget, staff, and project papers and reports.

Knowledge of programs and functions in a health care delivery system 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 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: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

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:

Specific duties include: 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.

Participates in disaster preparedness and emergency management planning meetings to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of policies and procedures.

Attends facility/Network/and VHACO program office strategic and succession planning meetings to observe techniques and methodologies in VHA personnel management.

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

Reviews and explores VHA relationships and processes with affiliated education programs.

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

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.

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

Develops and presents an innovative project recommending improvements to policies, procedures, and services provided by VHA at the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Performs other related duties as assigned.

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: 8:00AM-4:30PM Full time, Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist (Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Trainee);S0001-A, S0002-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required