Program Specialist (Telehealth)

Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration (AOC): Open to status and CTAP/ICTAP eligible: 1st AOC - Employees of the Columbia SC VA , including satellite locations. 2nd AOC - Department of Veteran Affairs Employees. 3rd AOC - Status Eligible (Transfers, Reinstatements, VEOA, Certain Military Spouses, etc.), 30% Disabled Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Telehealth Program Specialist serves as a Program Specialist in the Telehealth Program by directly supporting the management of operational components of Telehealth Care across the health care continuum. This position will serve as one FTE at each VISN 7 facility without collateral duties. He/she works closely with the Facility Telehealth Coordinator/ Nurse Manager and other health care professionals and team members, other clinics, internal services and community agencies. The incumbent reports to the Facility Telehealth Coordinator/ Nurse Manager. The Program Specialist provides daily operational support to improve accessibility and achieve the overall goal of using both Telehealth scheduling and technology in establishing avenues of care that are timely, appropriate, of high quality and cost.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develops and manages systems, processes, and procedures to organize and track a variety of important functions integral to the functioning of the Telehealth/Connected Care Programs, i.e., Telehealth Management Platform (TMP), the facility Telehealth SharePoint, Telehealth Service Agreements, tele-provider privileging system and data, remoted access to VISTA/CPRS systems for telehealth staff).
• Provides support with the establishment and/or control of Telehealth program data and records including Microsoft SharePoint, the primary database and sharing instrument for the Telehealth Program.
• Works with OIT staff to ensure continuity for end users when systems are updated.
• Coordinates SharePoint and TMP end-user training with the VHA CVT National Training Centers,.
• Functions as a liaison with the VISN Telehealth Program Manager, VHA National Telehealth Training Centers and the local Telehealth staff to ensure training curriculums for these systems are current and effective by advising these entities of deficits/needed changes and collaborating to develop the materials.
• Creates, maintains, edits, calculates, retrieves, stores, prints and routes a wide range of documents in final form from handwritten drafts, electronic mail, and SharePoint document service.
• Develops specific telehealth applications in collaboration with the facility telehealth oversight council, clinical, administrative, and technical staff as needed.
• Collaborates with telehealth staff members to develop and maintain a database for tracking and receiving of equipment.
• Performs administrative or technical duties associated with developing, revising, maintaining, telehealth initiatives and programs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Tour subject to change based on agency needs.
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (Telehealth)/PD01752A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Promotion Potential: The GS-7 position is a developmental position leading to the full performance position GS-9. Incumbent is required to satisfactorily complete both on the job training and related instructions from the immediate supervisor and/or higher graded professionals. In the developmental capacity, the incumbent will be responsible for performing that range of duties that generally conform to those given in the GS-301-9 target position description. If this position is filled at the GS-7 grade level, it haspromotion potential to the GS-9 grade level. However, promotion to the higher grade is not guaranteed, but dependent on the selectee's demonstration of the ability to perform the duties of the higher grade to the satisfaction of the supervisor, and there must be enough work at the higher-grade level to support the grade. In addition, the selectee must meet all legal and regulatory requirements for promotion.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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 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: 10/28/2026

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-07 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.

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 and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience GS-07: 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: work that involved analytical research and evaluation of diversified programs; development, administration and control of assigned projects; ability to access locate, and update information through the use of personal computer technology; serving as a program liaison to various administrative and clinical services in helping the Manager to develop information; conducts an ongoing analysis of the administrative support needed by the department and to influence adjustments necessary to assure effective resourcing; developing/maintaining/tracking training and educational programs; close working relationship with managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities. OR,
• Education: One (1) Full year of graduate level education (beyond a Bachelor's degree). Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. A copy of transcript required (an unofficial copy is acceptable if it reflects the type of courses and number of credits earned at the graduate college level). OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Bachelor's degree. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e., 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e., 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position.

• Specialized Experience GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: less managerial oversight of work that involved analytical research and evaluation of diversified programs; development, administration and control of assigned projects; ability to access locate, and update information through the use of personal computer technology; serving as a program liaison to various administrative and clinical services in helping the Manager to develop information; conducts an ongoing analysis of the administrative support needed by the department and to influence adjustments necessary to assure effective resourcing; developing/maintaining/tracking training and educational programs; close working relationship with managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or LL. B or J.D., if related to the position, Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree. [This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. Unofficial transcripts required.]. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Master's degree. Applicants qualifying based on education must submit a copy of transcripts (unofficial transcripts are ok). The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9. Example: an applicant has 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 and 1 year of graduate level education. The applicant meets 50 percent of the required experience but none of the required education, since he or she does not have any graduate study beyond that which is required for GS-7. Therefore, the applicant meets only 50 percent of the total requirement and is not qualified for the position.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However, there is periodic walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as instructional material, books and manuals. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Technology Management

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

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

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

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