Summary Incumbent serves as program assistant for the patient care services actively participating in the management of a variety of technical and administrative functions. Responsibilities This includes primary support to Nursing Surgical Service, Operative Care line. Incumbent also provides necessary back up coverage for PCS clerks as needed. Based on the substantive programs within inpatient care, the incumbent attends to the complex program standards and reporting requirements, as well as to efficient operations which meet supervisory as well as customer needs and assumes substantial responsibility in meeting excellent program outcomes. Within this framework the incumbent performs the following: Prepares various reporting documents. Utilizing data obtained from a variety of sources, the incumbent independently calculates/computes, prepares and distributes various reports and special analyses or reviews for use by the hospital and service administrative staff and program officials assuring accuracy. completeness and timeliness. Incumbent contacts appropriate staff for clarification and action. Uses computer applications proficiently and manages hardware and software systems (including Microsoft Word, EXCEL, Outlook, .is well as the medical center system utilizing VISTA and CPRS). If problems arise the incumbent cannot solve, communicates with appropriate personnel for a prompt solution. This also includes special program applications which require technical expertise in data entry, retrieval and transmission for accurate workload accounting, data reconciliation and reporting. Maintains a complete backup of hard drive and assures security of computer data. Provides primary support for service including coordinating communications for staff and patients/families; prioritizing messages and notifying staff appropriately for necessary action; entering and retrieving patient/program data and assimilates reports; coordinates administrative reporting requirements; coordinates meetings; manages inquiries and receives and problem solves customer concerns and refers to program official as appropriate. Provides program support for all service programs which includes coordinating communications; accurately entering, retrieving, transmitting required data and reconciles data for accuracy of workload; prepares status reports. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 7:00am-3:30pm; 7:30am-4:00pm; or 8:00am-4:30pm ( shift to be discussed during interview) Telework: ADHOC. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant- Nursing, Preioperative/PD07610A Requirements 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. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 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 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, 06/16/2026. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: 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: Experience operating a variety of technical equipment, i.e., PC in a Windows environment, calculator, copier, fax and other related computer applications; Prepare correspondence and reports ensuring correct grammar, spelling punctuation and in required format; Accurate record keeping; Knowledge of routine office procedures such as requesting supplies, screening calls, reviewing mail, etc; Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with a large number of individuals form varying ethnic, educational, professional and cultural; and Knowledge of customer service skills. 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. Additional Information 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
