Health System Specialist Job in Chicago, IL

Vacancy No. CAZP-12576984-25-WT Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $97,079.00 to $126,198.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/15/2024 Close Date 10/21/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Chicago, IL


Summary

This position is located at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and is organizationally aligned to the Office of Quality, Safety, Value, within the Office of the Director. The operational scope of the position, duties, and work assignments supports Executive Leadership innovation initiatives and works closely with the VA Center of Innovation. The position works with Facility leadership and staff to build a culture of innovation to empower employees.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

MAJOR DUTIES

Leads Innovation Development Programs at the Local and National Level (45%)
Supports developing a national level strategy for innovation, including helping to lead and stand- up programs, processes, policies, and infrastructure to support innovation across the VA. Develops the local organizational vision that integrates VA Center for Innovation program goals, strategic priorities and core values. Creates a facility-level Innovation program segment that encourages creative thinking, innovation, collaboration and transparency. Identifies opportunities to improve service and program performance. Executes open dialogue across organizational lines both within the VA Medical Center and with stakeholders across the VA to maximize opinion diversity and input from a wide range of stakeholders. Executes innovation strategies through collaboration with external stakeholders outside of both the VA Medical Center and VA more broadly.

Develops Strategic Plans (15%)
Incumbent works with relevant clinical and administrative chiefs and staff members to develop and share innovation-driven strategic plans for programs, services, and/or the facility. Incumbent's managerial duties and responsibilities involve decisions which have a direct and substantial effect on the organization and its programs. These include, but are not limited to, decisions affecting the nature, scope, quality, and emphasis on the organization's patient care programs and activities.

Innovation Competency Building Training, Program, and Events (15%)
Develops and executes training activities to VA employees at the facility and national level surrounding innovation-related competencies, such as design thinking, entrepreneurship, and innovation value creation. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, such as designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, makers, and other facilitators, to run a full spectrum of innovation training activities at the novice, beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. Works to move interested employees from novice, beginner, intermediate, and expert levels in innovation-related competencies. Designs and implements training that allows employees to discover their potential, connects the organization horizontally and vertically, and fosters core values and high ethical standards in meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Organizes events internal and external to the VA to help facilitate innovation activities, such as hackathons, makeathons, workshops, training programs, and speaker sessions.

Innovation Project Management and Collaboration Across Sites (15%)
Researches, identifies, and implements innovation projects identified as best practices from other sites or within their site. Reviews projects for value and analyzes potential for impact based on local needs, issues and capacity for successful implementation. Determines the suitability of outside solutions or best practices appropriate for local implementation based on analyses of applicability and probability for success and recommends implementation strategies to Executive Medical Center and VISN leadership.

VISN, VHA, VACO, and VA/DoD Joint Planning (10%)
Incumbent will engage with regional, national, and other agency partners on as-needed tasks, program and policy development, and formal planning processes. May serve as a Medical Center liaison to the Great Lakes Health Care System (VISN 12) and VA Headquarters staff for planning initiatives. Represents JBVAMC on key VISN councils, national committees, and ad hoc assignments. Responds to inquiries for information as necessary on a variety of special interest topics. Adheres to timeframes and communicates with VISN and VACO staff to ensure a smooth transfer of information. Keeps informed of key areas of VISN and VACO interests and briefs top management accordingly. Performs other related duties as assigned.



Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday 8am- 430pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD240070
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.
Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. Work may require occasional travel.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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

Individual Occupational Requirement:

Education: Bachelor's or graduate level degree with a major field of study such as hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.
OR
Experience: Positions above GS-5:
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.
In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement above, the following is the experience and/or educational requirement to qualify at the GS-12 grade level in this occupation.

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Specialized knowledge of health care service administration, continuous quality improvement; data analysis; healthcare principles, theories and practices; planning, administration, or other key administrative support functions; sufficient to analyze and evaluate broad and difficult problems, apply extensive qualitative and/or quantitative methods for program improvement, make recommendations for complicated solutions; and the related ability to apply health care management principles to complex problem solving situations. Mastery of and skill in applying advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques to perform thorough management analysis of current and projected diagnostic service programs. Specialized knowledge of the unique characteristics of the specific health care delivery system served; the missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems, intra-and interdepartmental relationships, and agency operations and program sufficient to interact effectively with healthcare facilities.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-12 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

A supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Note: Evidence of experience, must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Please provide such documentation on your application or resume. Also, please provide work experience information such as hours per week and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish one (1) full year of experience. The requirement for this proof is specified in the "How to Apply" section of this announcement. To be credible, experience must be documented in the application and verifiable through employment references and/or other means. *Your resume must support your answers in the occupational questionnaire.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/21/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12576984.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Woa Townsend
Address
Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
820 South Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.