Summary The Health Systems Specialist serves in a staff capacity in Planning and Analytics and is directly responsible to the Chief of Planning and Analytics at the Detroit VA Medical Center. The primary purpose of this position is to provide analysis support to department and facility leadership for development and implementation of strategic, tactical and operational plans. The incumbent will conduct special studies, mange projects and assist to meet planning and system redesign facility needs. Responsibilities Major duties of the Health Systems Specialist include, but are not limited to: Conducting analysis utilizing a variety of databases to support facility leadership in development and implementation of strategic, tactical and operational plans. Utilizes Pyramid Analytics, Power BI and other applications to perform sophisticated data analysis, including extracting data from internal and external databases, analyzing and interpreting complex data using basic statistical models, and designing and preparing user-friendly reports. Independently gathers, develops and interprets data from available information systems including ViSTA, Oracle, VHA Support Service Center (VSSC), planning systems, Allocation Resource Center (ARC) and VA performance measurement system and Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL). Conducts independent research to develop an in-depth understanding of VA databases and data sources in order to retrieve and validate data and translate generally defined customer requirements into data analytics logic. Works iteratively with customers to fully define data and analysis requirements to accurately reflect requirements in analysis design and reports. Collects baseline information, develops benchmarks and identifies limitations in current systems to discover potential improvements. Completing environmental assessment analysis including demographic and market analysis to identify health trends for the organization. Utilizes data to organize work, set priorities, and monitor progress. Identifying best practice models by conducting cost/benefit analyses, analyzing demographic and workload data, designing and managing data bases (to include accessing non-VA data sources), and researching health care trends. Reviews, interprets and analyzes VHA information documents, such as VERA workload reports, performance measures, planning models, VSSC and other data sources etc., and translates them into reports and presentations incorporating data mined into sound, useful, visual management information and recommends improvement to operational effectiveness of the medical center. Independently studies and analyzes potential or developing problems affecting operations to arrive at appropriate solutions or recommendations for implementation. In doing so, identifies metrics performing below benchmarked standards or failing below the upper or lower control limits of a statically controlled models such as SAIL. Serving as subject-matter-expert in areas assigned for study to design studies, collect and analyze data, interpret findings, prepare reports, and communicate recommendations to clinical and administrative leadership. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Ad-hoc is occasional, episodic, or short-term in accordance with Agency Policy. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD91053O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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, 12/29/2025. 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. Individual Occupational Requirements: The 0671 Health System Specialist occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), that all candidates must meet in order to meet the basic qualifications of the position. 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. Transcripts are required. or Specialized Experience(for positions above GS-5): 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 In service 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 In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must also meet the grade level requirement of the position. 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: applying specialized principles and practices of health care analytics to direct/support a health care delivery system; conducting data analysis, studying and analyzing program specific-data, compiling final reports of evaluation efforts and noting discrepancies; and knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues related to the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations performed by administrative, technical, and professional personnel and providers. Preferred Experience: analytical work, preferably with SQL in order to assist query author duties and report writer duties with Oracle; Systems redesign experience e.g. modeling flow, working with databases to develop reports, use of A3, etc.; lean green belt certified or minimum of lean yellow belt preferred; project management experience or certification in project management. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Capital Planning External Awareness Planning Project Management Strategic Thinking Influencing Organizational Awareness 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 with periods of walking; standing; bending; occasional travel to offsite facilities; and carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts. Travel by automobile or air may be required. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. If you are using education to meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), a transcript must be submitted. 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/. Transcripts must be official or unofficial college transcripts. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process. Transcripts must include the following information: Your Name Name of the college or university Full address of the college or university Degree Received Date Conferred If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on education, you need to list your education history including the @type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Areas of Consideration - Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration. First Area of Consideration (facility employees) - Current, permanent facility employees organizationally aligned under station 553 and associated outpatient clinics and locations falling under the parent station of 553. Second Area of Consideration (other VA employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees who are located at other VA medical centers and offices other than station 553). Third Area of Consideration (status candidates) - Current, permanent Federal employees, former Federal employees with reinstatement rights, and VEOA eligible (separated under honorable conditions after three or more years of continuous active service or preference eligible) and special hiring authorities.
