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.

Facility Compliance Program Administration (40%)

• Develop, recommend and implement Compliance and Integrity program goals for operational units within the local health care system. Assist front line operational units in developing their Compliance and Integrity activities using the compliance framework established by national program guidance and policy. Develop detailed plans, tasks, milestone dates and schedules to ensure proper sequencing of events and tracking of processes and costs throughout the life cycle of the programs/projects;
• Review programs/projects to determine how they can be accomplished with the least disruption to workers and mission operations and ensure directions and schedules are accomplished in a timely manner;
• Provide local health care system and Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) senior executives and executive committees regular reporting on implementation and effectiveness of the local health care system's Compliance and Integrity program and communicate timely on an ad hoc basis any urgent and significant compliance or business integrity issues; participate in regular information planning sessions, maintain productive interaction with staff, report on the status and progress of work accomplished to date, and monitor work in progress.

Internal Controls and Oversight (30%)

• Exercise oversight of implementation of the Compliance and Integrity program within the local health care system to ensure it is effective; such oversight shall include taking appropriate corrective action, recommending remediation or disciplinary measures to immediate supervisor or appropriate management official when Compliance and Integrity goals are not achieved or when operational management fails to take reasonable steps to prevent or detect behavior which is noncompliant or not consistent with high standards of business integrity; establish program objectives and units of measure for determining when objectives have been met; alert local health care system's leadership of any material noncompliant or unethical activity detected;
• Implement national Compliance and Integrity controls, solutions, and programs at the local health care system; develop and implement internal controls and solutions in partnership with risk owners to manage and mitigate key risks that may adversely impact local health care system objectives, compliance with regulations, or overall reputation within the local, VISN, or national landscape of the agency health care system; make recommendations for actions when adjustments or a different course of action is necessary.

Planning and Internal Controls (30%)

• Establish and maintain the "tone at the top" within the local health care system for Compliance and Integrity, including but not limited to, providing regular communications to local health care system staff on the importance of Compliance and Integrity; draft guidance and direction regarding program management and reporting;
• On a periodic basis, perform local health care system-wide reviews of internal controls over prioritized risk areas and determine adequacy in preventing compliance failures; plan and initiate a comprehensive evaluation system for review and analysis of proposed costs, program development, and performance;
• Participate in meetings with internal staff and representative operational units within the local health care system to determine compliance program status, major milestones, and coordination of each to detect in advance potential slippage or increased costs; and to ascertain appropriate action required to maintain or improve program or project schedules;
• Ensure processes related to open lines of communication, i.e., Compliance and Integrity Helpline referrals and directly reported issues and inquiries, compliance investigation reviews, and any other responsive activities are performed in accordance with VA policies and procedures and national VHA program guidance and policy; take actions necessary to correct any identified problem areas;
• Understand local strategy, local needs, and risks of the local health care system; develop close working relationships with other members of senior management; analyze and prioritize local risks by working closely with senior management to develop a proactive strategy to mitigate compliance risks; manage short- and long-range planning activities that include multi-year work plans that are the products of subordinate organizational projects/programs.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Health Systems Specialist - Integrity and Compliance Officer/PD99467S
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required when visiting different sections of the health care system for meetings or fact-finding.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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

GS-12 grade level: 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: 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:

1. Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems;
2. Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and
3. Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.

At this level, applicants would have obtained this experience working within a health care setting providing leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of compliance activities; ensuring a standardized and effective approach to compliance using the compliance framework, compliance and Integrity standards, processes, and resources; and experience using complex analytical problem-solving methods, principles, and theories to identify extensive program data and conduct a variety of studies and investigations.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-12 level.

Candidates must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirement:

Individual Occupational Requirements:

• Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as Business or Public Administration with course work in health care administration. OR
• 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:
  • 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 Inservice 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.

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.

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.

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• 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.

Next steps