Pathways (Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program) Health Systems Specialist

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:04/06/2026.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM: Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Health System Administration Series, 0671 Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- Hospital Administration, Public Health Administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.~ or ~Specialized 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 To meet the requirements for the The Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program (GHATP): 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.

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.

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.

RECENT GRADUATE: 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.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, although slight physical effort may be required. Major Duties:

The incumbent serves as a Health System Specialist (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 as individual development plan (IDP) and receive recurring progress reviews by the supervisor.

Major Duties and Responsibilities are but not limited to the following: Utilizes data and reporting tools to develop health-planning service line strategies impacting the operations of components of medical centers, network offices, and/or VHACO program offices.

Analyzes data trends in budget and fiscal expenditures supporting the preparation and execution of budget and committee meetings for identified components within the whole organization.

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.

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

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 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.

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

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 Executive (ACHE).

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

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Pathways (Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program) Health Systems Specialist; Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required