Health System Specialist Full Time

Summary The VA New York/New Jersey Network Office (VISN 2) has 1 vacancy for a Health System Specialist within the Mental Health Integrated Clinical Community (ICC). The primary responsibility is to provide administrative leadership and implement complex administrative activities of the MH ICC functions. A valuable resource in areas of data analysis, quality assessment, performance improvement, interdisciplinary issues, utilization management, risk management, and health care system investigations. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: VISN ICC Subject Matter Expert: 25% Conducts management surveys, audits, special projects, site visits, etc. and provides expert advisory and consultative services to operating or management officials. Program study assignments involve operations and functions of significant complexity with extensively interrelated health care programs throughout the VISN. Ensures alignment with VISN and VHACO policies and procedures as well as external regulatory requirements. Develops and prepares internal instructions, operating policies, procedures, guidelines, etc. concerning assigned programs and recommends required policy changes and procedural adjustments to ensure proper and adequate accomplishment of major health care program goals and objectives. Participates in decisions and policy making while sharing in the responsibility for management actions/ outcomes regarding initiatives, involvement in facility level operations and coordinating intra and inter-ICC activities. Conducts analyses of all aspects of current or projected health care programs throughout the VISN for effectiveness in achieving planned goals and objectives and meeting the needs of Veterans. Develops long-range ICC program plans, goals, objectives, and milestones; identifies and develops ways to resolve programs or cope with issues which directly affect the accomplishment of principal Mental Health ICC program goals and objectives; develops administrative regulations or guidelines for the conduct of program operations or new criteria for measuring program accomplishments; and studying reports containing findings and recommendations of major significance to top management. Senior VISN Advisor, Coach, Mentor: 25% The incumbent provides oversight and ensures coordination of collaborative and training opportunities including VISN-led initiatives and ICC teleconferences, and other national and VISN learning opportunities. Acts as a resource person in planning, reviewing, or revising policies and procedures that impact the MH ICC. Involved in training and facilitation of performance improvement teams, the use of relevant tools and statistical processes and the use of VHA databases; establishes effective relationships within the VISN and VAMC/HCS through participation in organizational and committee structures. Serves as mentor/preceptor to guide, orient, and counsel and demonstrate expertise to other staff; demonstrates knowledge of roles of healthcare personnel and promotes a climate of inter- service collaboration, cooperation, and understanding. Strategic and Business Planning: 25% Modeling VA values and fosters a corporate culture of public service, accountability and excellence. Using technology and data analytics to enhance processes and decision making. Seeks information to understand customer needs and manage expectations. Anticipates and meets customer expectations; following up to ensure satisfaction and improve service quality. Solicits and considers feedback from internal and external stakeholders and/or customers; coordinating with appropriate parties to maximize input from the widest range of appropriate stakeholders to facilitate an open exchange of opinion from diverse groups. Develops and maintains multiple and varied levels of communication between VHACO, and VISN ICCs, Program Offices and Facilities; maintains a positive working relationship with other ICCs, facilities, and Federal agencies at the station, VISN, facility and community levels. Program/Project Analysis, Tracking, and Evaluation: 25% Investigates and analyzes potential or realized adverse clinical operations, trends or conditions and initiates/recommends corrective action and follow-through. Monitors compliance with project management standards, policies, procedures, and templates via project audits. Manages, tracks and compiles actions for the MH ICC and formulates recommendations based on those findings. Formulates agendas and minutes for the MH ICC Coordinates with facility leaders, managers to develop effective project/program plans to resolve serious clinical operations situations. Provides in-depth analyses, best practice models, and creative quality program techniques for consideration in project development. Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinates the preparation, presentation and communication of work-related information by other staff. Performs budget execution functions for the ICC which are consistent with formulated budget plans. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm Telework: Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD116640 Requirements 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 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. 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 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, 04/30/2026. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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 as described below: 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: Extensive knowledge of external accrediting and regulatory bodies affecting health care operations is essential. Knowledge of general office operations and functions as well as specific knowledge of VA/VHA administrative operations and related policies and directives that impact health care delivery systems. Knowledge of the capabilities, operating characteristics, and advanced functions of a variety of @types of office automation software–e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, database, calendar, electronic mail-is required. Knowledge of VHA data systems including data and report retrieval as well as setting up customized reports. Requiring the knowledge and ability to determine the data categories to be set up, to identify sorting and calculating functions to be performed and to set up detailed functional procedures needed to enter and retrieve data in the proper format required for a variety of reports, records, briefings, etc. Knowledge and ability to analyze problems and present both written and oral recommendations taking into full consideration a wide range of factors and requirements which affect the management of the healthcare delivery system. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Analysis and Problem Solving Attention to Detail Communication Project Management 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. Preferred Experience: Administrative/Management/Oversight experience working within VA Mental Health (Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Homeless Programs), with data analysis and dashboards, project/initiative implementation. Experience working across different programs/services and with staff from front line to leadership. 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: Work requires some physical exertion, such as periods of standing, some walking, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or similar activities; and some moderate lifting and carrying. The work requires frequent travel to health care facilities or to attend various meetings, conferences or workgroups. Incumbent’ s vision should be sufficient to read from a computer screen for prolonged periods without excessive fatigue. Input data into the computer requires prolonged use of keyboard. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Note: 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.