Summary This position is located in the Credentialing and Privileging Section in the Chief of Staff Office at VA Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, Harlingen, TX. The primary purpose of this position is to perform credentialing and technical duties in support of the Credentialing and VETPro programs and functions. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. Responsibilities Major Duties: Responsible for collecting relevant data and the decision-making process to ensure that qualified health care professionals are providing appropriate care in appropriate settings. Responsible for the audit of all required credentials for authenticity and veracity in accordance with TJC standards and VHA policies and procedures. Incumbent will become familiar with privileging processes and may be proctored for the position of SME for credentialing and privileging. Incumbent is responsible for all credentialing requirements as outlined in policy. Incumbent is responsible for internal monitoring for compliance and timely update of expiration of time limited credentials including, but not limited to, monitoring of licensure, registration, or certification expirations and continuous enrollment in the NPDB continuous query program for licensed providers. Assists C&P Manager or Analyst in drafting local credentialing procedures for LIP and Non LIPs. Receives and reviews correspondence and communications for the credentials function and determines which items require immediate attention and which are confidential in nature. Receives and reviews VetPro reports detecting problem areas requiring further investigation. Manages provider applications (initial) for Non-LIPs credentialing within the VAMC. Incumbent must have knowledge of medical specialties. Assures application packages and other documents meet technical requirements per specialty of provider and assures application folder and database account (VetPro or other internal databases and spreadsheets) meet technical requirements. Communicates with Non-LIPs to assure timely completion of applications and VetPro requirements. Provides oversight to application process Analyzes exceptions and deviations in expected application process Determines course of action and makes recommendations. Determines processes for coordination of incoming data and documents from a variety of sources. Reviews documents and applications for omissions and inconsistencies and assures data entry is complete and accurate to meet VHA policy and regulation, and TJC standards. Reviews documents received and determines course of action based on information provided within documents. Contacts provider for omissions and/or inconsistencies in information; initiates primary source verification of credentials. Analyzes and manages issues related to documents that do not meet expected requirements, regulations or guidelines such as adverse actions against licensures, certifications, and NPDB) CQ reports. Independently selects appropriate method of validation, based on approved sources. Manages the work involving the tracking of data and documents in support of the credentialing operation. Refers current issues, trends, problem areas as well as recommended program revisions to Credentials functions through the C&P. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position is Adhoc eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant - Credentialing Program Assistant/PD00957A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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, 06/29/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Comprehensive knowledge of VetPro policies, including but not limited to, VetPro Data Integrity, VAMC level access control, mandatory annual VetPro security and confidentiality training, and mandatory annual privacy act training. Ability to communicate orally technical information to a diverse group of individuals with varying levels of understanding. Knowledge of the contacts required for verification of information in health care provider files. Knowledge of medical terminology to assure competence/appropriateness of credentials requested. Ability to communicate in writing to prepare emails, letters, and reports. Skill in using software applications such as word processing and data bases and internet database applications for data entry, file maintenance and data retrieval. Attention to detail is required to analyze applications, documents, files and other material pertaining to the credentialing program. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet deadlines. 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/.
