Program Specialist

Veterans Affairs$75K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of relevant experience in health informatics or a related field.
  • Expertise in CPRS and PCMM systems.
  • Strong analytical skills for workflow assessment and improvement.
  • Good grasp of financial management and budget oversight.
  • Proven ability to train and educate staff on software applications.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor the PCMM program and ensure compliance with national standards.
  • Conduct computer-related projects as designated by leadership.
  • Analyze workflows and recommend solutions for operational efficiency.
  • Support Ambulatory Care in reviewing centralized and local operations.
  • Provide financial data and reporting to management.

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement plans.
  • Eligibility for paid leave and federal holidays.
  • Potential for career advancement without further competition upon meeting requirements.
Full Job Description
Summary

The Program Specialist serves as an expert resource for matters related to informatics, Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), Primary Care Management Module (PCMM), workload accountability and capture, spreadsheet and graphic software used for managerial or clinical purposes, financial budget management. The incumbent will be responsible for training Ambulatory Care employees in the use of some software applications, insures competency and compliance.

Duties

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The Program Specialist is responsible for the overall monitoring of the Primary Care Management Module (PCMM) program within this Medical Center and will provide the necessary training and guidance to all clinic chiefs and clinic managers to assure compliance with the national standards and requirements.

  • Conducts various computer related projects assigned by the Director and Assistant Director for Ambulatory Care and/or the Ambulatory Care Program Analyst.
  • Analyzes workflow to determine potential problem areas and makes recommendations to correct these areas to improve coordination between the various units and/or offices.
  • Expected to use good, sound management techniques and allocate an appropriate amount of time to adequately meet deadlines.
  • Provides assistance to Ambulatory Care in reviewing operations for various centralized and local ADP operations and reporting systems and advising the Director and Assistant Director for Ambulatory Care, Clinical Directors, Nurse Managers, and care line employees throughout SFVAHCS.
  • Provides financial and budgetary information needed by the Director and Assistant Director for Ambulatory Care.
  • Prepares reports, understanding, acceptance of findings and recommendations.


Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD09203 and PD09204

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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, 07/30/2026.

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.

  • For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.
  • For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07.


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. 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. 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:

GS-7 Grade Requirements:

  • Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05). Specialized experience is typically defined as, but not limited to experience with knowledge of skills in reference to the vocational objectives, training programs, potential employment, and knowledge of contract billing for quality and accuracy and fiscal procedures in compliance with Federal regulations. Recommends certification of invoices for payment.


OR,

  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.


OR,

  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education as stated above.


GS-9 Grade Requirements:

  • Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07). Specialized experience is defined as experience with knowledge of VA laws and regulations, knowledge of skills in reference to the vocational objectives, training programs, potential employment, and knowledge of contract billing for quality and accuracy and fiscal procedures in compliance with Federal and VA regulations. Recommends certification of invoices for payment.


OR,

  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. of J.D., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.


OR,

  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and higher level graduate education as stated above.


Volunteer Experience: 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.

Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

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/.

Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking and bending will be required.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Note: You may submit unofficial transcripts when applying. However, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to provide an official transcript or a statement from the institution (e.g., from the registrar, dean, or other appropriate official) or equivalent documentation prior to the start date.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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