Summary The incumbent serves as a Program Support Assistant whose primary purpose is to provide administrative and clerical support to the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) at the Lexington VAHCS. Responsibilities Incumbent has primary responsibility for providing office and clerical support to the Sterile Processing Services (SPS). Incumbent Is responsible for maintaining time and attendance, and training records for SPS personnel. Major duties include but not limited to: Uses computers, reports and spreadsheets in the creation and management to include data mining, generating reports and pulling data from various sources. Organizes and maintains records in support of activities associated with environment and facilities management. Provides programmatic support in key areas to include clinic setup and maintenance, data mining/reporting, and support related to space and equipment. Pulls data and compiles data into meaningful and concise reports to include performance data regarding no-shows, waiting time, access, workload, clinical reminders, unsigned notes, coding, view alerts and open encounters. Interacts with customers with a diverse and varied background in person, via telephone, email or other correspondence. Perform clerical duties to include time keeping, faxing, filing, typing, using computer applications, preparing clinical and administrative records/charts, assuring accurate and prompt communications, coordinating meetings, completing work orders and copying, etc. Uses customer service principles, patient rights and responsibility, and service recovery to interact with tact and diplomacy while presenting oneself in a professional manner. Interacts with customers to obtain and clarify information, provide assistance, resolve problems, clarify concerns and coordinate activities. Serves as fund control point clerk for purchase requests. Serves as ADPAC and is knowledgeable if packages used by Primary Care clinicians and support staff. Serves as a service level HR liaison, submits and updates service personnel files. Serves as back-up time keeper for service. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework-ADHOC: This position may be authorized for ADHOC telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant- Sterile Processing Service/PD304920 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Requires some walking, stooping, stretching, bending, and lifting to 40 pounds. The constant strain of visualizing the computer screen may cause eyestrain, headaches, backaches, and neck and shoulder tension. Many Interruptions during the workday in person, by telephone or written communication may cause stress due to costly time delays and mandatory deadlines. Work Environment: Majority of duties are performed in an office setting with adequate ventilation and lights. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. 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. 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, 06/22/2026. 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-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of administrative principles and techniques that includes the ability to effectively organize the flow of clerical processes in the office; Knowledge of an extensive body of rules, procedures, or operations that require extended training and experience to perform a wide variety of interrelated or nonstandard procedural assignments and resolve a wide range of problems; Knowledge of file organization to be able to file and retrieve pertinent VA regulations, directives, memorandums, policies, and reports, as well as using the proper format to be able to @type memorandums, reports, minutes, reviews, policies, etc., material to be @typed Is received either orally or in writing; Knowledge of forms used throughout the medical center and familiarity of levels necessary to maintain an adequate stock on hand to support using services, familiarity of forms procurement from the Internet or through purchase requests; and Knowledge of keyboard to be computer proficient. Preferred Experience: Administrative experience (timekeeping, record management), computer proficiency (Microsoft Office programs and Adobe), and FAC-COR Level 1 certification is preferred. 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 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/.
