To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can't be waived. The Individual Occupational Requirement for the Health System Specialist position is:
- Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education with a major study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. OR
- Experience: You must have 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.
- Special Provision for In-service Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included:
- Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements;
- Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and
- Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program.
GS-12 grade determination: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes:Knowledge of principles and practices related to the health care delivery systems and solid understanding of various SR and PI models and tools including, but not limited to: SixSigma concepts, Lean Management principles, Performance Improvement principles, Flow Mapping, Fishbone Diagrams, Force Field analysis, Regression analysis, Pareto charts, Run control charts, Excel and Access Databases, etc. The ability to retrieve, understand, analyze, interpret and display data and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operation. Must have knowledge of the major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes and administrative operations of the organization. A broad knowledge of the literature pertaining to SR and PI as well as knowledge of Joint Commission standards. Must have knowledge of relevant computer applications including VISTA packages, current Microsoft Office programs, national and local VA databases and the ability to develop databases, analytical and graphic reports and other systems and files to effectively document, analyze and present program results. Must demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication as well as the ability to conduct training for employees at every level of the healthcare system.
There is no educational substitution for the GS-12 level.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Education and Training
- Influencing/Negotiating
- Leadership
- Change Management
- Organizational Performance Analysis
- Systems Engineering
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.