BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM:
Recent Graduate: Applicants must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years (May 2023 - May 2025), a Master's degree in hospital administration, public health administration or other healthcare admin/management from a qualifying degree program recognized by the Department of Education. A Master's in business or public administration may be accepted if at least two (2) healthcare courses are taken before completion of degree. All qualification requirements must be met by
May 2025.
Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty; however, this eligibility period cannot extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of the requirements of an academic course of study.
Education: Must possess a Master or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., with courses related to the duties of this position.
(Transcript(s) must be submitted)
Preferred candidates will possess a degree from a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.
~AND~
Provide a Statement of Purpose: Explain how you believe the VHA Health Systems Management Trainee Program will assist you in further defining your primary personal and/or professional life goals. Why is now the best time for you to pursue this training? Your explanation should include, but not necessarily be limited to, a description of both your intermediate and longer-term career goals, as well as a current vision of your desired position upon program completion. Please limit your response to no more than 4000 characters (about one page).
EXPERIENCE GS-09: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: Qualifying specialized experience is defined as 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.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.
(Transcript(s) must be submitted)
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Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond 18 semester hours) as described above.
EXPERIENCE GS-11: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: Utilizing data and reporting tools to develop health-planning service line strategies, Analyzing data trends in budget and fiscal expenditures, Researching laws, regulations, and policies related to budget and fiscal administration. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as 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:
- Analytical and investigative techniques concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of work operations carried out by administrative personnel.
- Programs and functions in a service line of a medical center.
- Interpersonal relationships to present staffing recommendations and negotiate solutions to disputed recommendations.
-OR-
EDUCATION
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
-OR-
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
-OR-
LL.M., if related