Program Support Assistant (Credentialing Specialist)

Full Job Description

The Program Support Assistant Credentialing Specialist is assigned to the Credentialing and Privileging Office, which is under the Chief of Staff at a VA Medical Center (VAMC) and is responsible for providing administrative and technical direction and support to the credentialing operations.

The Credentialing Specialist is aligned to and supervised by the Credentialing and Privileging (C&P) Manager.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/09/2026.

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

For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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.

Specialized Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as: experience conducting analytical reviews; managing and tracking data; conducting audits; managing special projects for new program initiatives; providing data analysis support; working collaboratively with leadership healthcare providers; developing and providing routine and special reports; purchase card holder; ability to communicate in writing to prepare emails, letters, and reports; researching reference materials, regulations, and standards; managing multiple projects, priorities and meeting deadlines.

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: The work is mostly sedentary. Occasionally, light physical effort may be required, such as that involved with walking, stair climbing, and carrying of light office items.

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 Credentialing and Privileging Program Office supports all divisions of the VAMC to include support of the credentialing and privileging specialist and the Medical Staff membership, which is comprised of physicians, dentists, optometrists, psychologists, audiologists, and physician extenders including full-time, part-time, temporary, intermittent, contract, without compensation (WOC), fee basis and telehealth.

The support includes Non-Licensed Independent Practitioners (Non-LIPs), such as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists.

The functions of the Credentialing and Privileging Program Office are critical to accreditation and for assuring safe patient care provided by the VAMC.

The Program Support Assistant Credentialing Specialist has continuing responsibility for specialized duties to accomplish the mission and function of the credentials program at the VAMC.

Serves as subject matter expert (SME) in the field of credentialing.

Uses significant judgement to inform leadership and appropriate administrative staff of program changes, new regulatory requirements, policies and procedures or issues and concerns pertaining to the credentialing program.

Applies knowledge of Joint Commission and OIG regulations, all credentialing guidelines for dependent providers, and ensuring service meets standards.

Assists in Medical Center internal review/audits and performance improvement activities to ensure TVHS Credentialing and Privileging program maintains a state of continuous readiness.

Keeps abreast of current VHA, Joint Commission and other regulatory standards and guidance.

Maintains the Department of Veterans Affairs VETPRO and PRIVPLUS database systems for the credentialing and privileging program.

Submits updates and responses to all action plans due to Chief of Staff/ Executive Office/VISN C&P POC in a timely, professional manner.

Tracks and and monitors for reports such as credentialing timelines, document reviews, and/or audit information.

Maintains spreadsheets reports and other data collected in support of the credentialing and privileging program. Prepares memoranda, correspondence, recurring and nonrecurring reports.

Reviews PSB meeting minutes to ensure minutes accurately reflect PSB discussions. Assists with reviews/revisions of TVHS Credentialing and Privileging policies.

Performs other credentialing duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant (Credentialing Specialist)/ 99868-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required