Program Support Assistant (OA)

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.

The Program Support Assistant Duties Include but not limited to:

• The employee performs a full range of administrative and technical functions in support of HBPC and H/HHA program operations. Responsibilities include processing admissions and discharges, managing referrals, coordinating patient services, and supporting the overall delivery of in-home care services.
• Maintains and manages HBPC program data systems by collecting, tracking, correcting, and reporting data. Assists in analyzing program data and supports leadership in identifying opportunities to improve program performance and efficiency.
• Provides administrative support to HBPC leadership and interdisciplinary team members by coordinating services, assisting with documentation processes, and supporting program implementation. Exercises independent judgment in managing workload, prioritizing tasks, and resolving administrative issues that arise in daily operations.
• Coordinates with community agencies to initiate services, ensuring appropriate procedures are followed. Provides guidance to agencies regarding billing processes, service duration, documentation requirements, and program expectations. Supports continuity of care by ensuring timely and accurate completion of administrative actions.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for Veterans, caregivers, HBPC staff, medical center personnel, and external community agencies. Responds to inquiries, provides program information, and facilitates communication to support coordination of care.
• Acts as a liaison between HBPC and other services within the VA medical center, as well as external healthcare organizations and agencies. Receives and processes referrals, assists with resolving issues, and ensures effective communication across all parties involved in patient care.
• Exercises tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment when interacting with individuals at all levels, including handling sensitive situations and triaging urgent requests from field clinicians, patients, and caregivers.
• Performs general clerical and administrative duties necessary to support daily program operations. Responsibilities include managing correspondence, maintainingorganized records, scanning, faxing, and supporting documentation management.
• Provides support for timekeeping, report preparation, and other administrative requirements. Maintains filing systems and ensures accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with VA policies and procedures.
• Assists with operational tasks such as supporting logistics and maintaining program related documentation to ensure efficient office workflow. Complete all other duties assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant (OA)/PD10032A
Physical Requirements: The work is partly sedentary, using the computer for most of the day. Some bending and standing is required.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• 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.

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

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR INSERT "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

Qualifications

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

GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 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:

• Schedule and review work activities performed in an office, including reporting and record keeping.
• Utilize a range of software applications (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) to prepare correspondence.
• Receive incoming calls from patients, clients, staff, and others in need of information.
• Perform office computer utilizing multiple programs to complete documentation.
• Gather and analyze data for program use, communication with all people involved with the programs at a local level.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 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.

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:

• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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