Program Support Assistant

Full Job Description

The purpose of the position is to serve as a Program Assistant (PSA) for the nursing service.

This role will help with the Transfer and Lodging Program at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System (VASLCHCS).

The PSA supports the Transfer and Lodging Center and Nursing Service activities throughout the health care system.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/16/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience where you were responsible for providing administrative support; collecting, compiling and tracking data and information; processing documents and reports; establishing, updating and maintaining office files and records; performing automation duties using such software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail, desktop publishing, calendar, database and/or graphics; answering telephones, referring visitors, and providing information.

There is no educational substitution at this level 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.

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:

Duties include but are not limited too: Maintains daily functions of the Transfer & Lodging Center Determines eligibility for Veterans and coordinates with contracted vendors and hotels to reserve lodging for the Veteran's stay.

Manages high volume calls from Veterans, families, and clinical staff, updates Veteran demographic information, and registers new Veterans.

Receives requests and processes consults for lodging accommodations for Veterans coming for outpatient appointments or admissions Assists with lodging arrangements for Veteran's discharging from the hospital through the hospital, Fisher House, and the RV lot.

Resolves minor issues related to the hotel, RV Lot and Veteran complaints, and keeps the Float Pool Nurse Manager informed.

Monitors contracted vendors for adherence to contract provisions and customer service; documents problems and complaints, investigates, and reports to supervisor.

Reviews hotel invoices monthly, checks for accuracies and discrepancies and corresponds with hotels management group and VA lodging management.

Verifies accuracy, reports discrepancies, approves final invoices and submits to contracted vendor and VA budget staff for payment distribution within the allotted timeframe.

Uses word processing software to execute several office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files: activating printers: inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda: transmitting and receiving e-mail.

Communicates with physicians, nurse practitioners, case managers, nursing staff and other allied health professionals using sound interpersonal skills while protecting sensitive information.

Works independently, making decisions based on guidelines, precedents, and regulations, and performs duties in such a manner that only minimal supervision is required.

Serves as a trainer/preceptor and resource person for less experienced clerical staff. Performs timekeeping for Float Pool staff, CNO's, and TLC staff.

Implements and processes Float Pool employees' schedules in VATAS, runs exception reports according to established guidelines and procedures, updates and validates leave requests in VATAS, acts as a backup for other timekeepers.

Audits monthly invoices, confirming accuracy and works with contracted vendor to resolve discrepancies and ensures fiscal responsibility.

Maintains a professional working environment, through clear communication in a courteous, concise manner, both verbally and in writing with people from a variety of backgrounds.

Preferred experience: 1-2 years experience using excel, VistA and CPRS. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: This position may not be authorized for telework.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD134550 Physical Requirements: This is primarily a sedentary position, but the work requires some walking, bending, stooping and carrying of light objects such as manuals, documents, etc.

Concentration and sustained performance under prolonged stress is required because of the time factors involved in completion of work assignments within deadlines.