Secretary

Full Job Description

The Northport VA Medical Center is hiring for one full-time Secretary with the Orthopedic section of the Surgical Care Department.

The Secretary performs administrative duties in support of the Chief, Orthopedic Service, two surgical programs (Orthopedics and Podiatry), and occasionally the ED Chief.

The Secretary acts as a personal assistant to Chief, Orthopedics and to Chief, Podiatry and independently responds to inquiries and problems of an administrative nature brought to Chiefs' attention.

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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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: Knowledge of administrative principles and techniques such as organizing, planning, and preparations of reports.

Knowledge of policies, procedures, guidelines and criteria pertinent to the service. Skills in operating a personal computer.

Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and VISTA to perform administrative functions..

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 to: Initiates and recommends changes in office procedures and administrative policies to improve office efficiency and ensure compliance Directs the scheduling activities in the Orthopedic and Podiatry Clinics performed by scheduling personnel Performs general office work auxiliary to the work of the organization Performs internet/intranet research in support of Chief, Orthopedic role as chairman of various national committees and in support of the Director of Podiatry Residency Program.

Acts as liaison to other managers and staff within the organization and provides accurate advice on procedures, reports, requirements, and other matters necessary to implement the supervisor's policies, directives, and instructions.

Processes incoming and outgoing materials such as correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other forms of written communications.

Edits letters, composes letters and reports, reviews correspondence for accuracy and completeness, prepares presentation outlines, and develops standard or form letters and replies to inquiries.

Attends meetings, prepares meeting minutes, and follows up on action items with appropriate staff members independently.

Schedules conferences held locally for other hospitals, VACO staff and VISN staff Performs timekeeping duties for Orthopedic Service and Podiatry Section as well as the Emergency Department (ED).

Purchases supplies and equipment for the service using fund control point policies and manages control point activities.

Performs education liaison duties for two residency training programs Performs all credentialing and privileging activities for the service Schedules outpatient appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling Other Duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Secretary/PD077240 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized