Summary The incumbent functions as the Program Support Assistant within Surgery Service line whose purpose is to support and be primarily responsible for duties that consist of supporting Optometry service line. The incumbent will perform program support work and assist Surgery Care Service Administrative Officer, Optometry Supervisor, and Chief of Surgery with the responsibility of carrying out assigned duties related to the maintenance of Optometry. Responsibilities Duties may include but are not limited to: Program support for Optometry: The incumbent will participate actively in the daily operations while maintaining patient confidentiality. Responsible for planning, preparing, coordinating, and accomplishing a variety of program support tasks. The incumbent plays a critical role in the overall function of Optometry/Surgery service. Works independently to organize office procedures, by identifying required resources, and devising actions to improve and meet the goals and objectives of the service, such as records, directives, mail, or forms management systems. Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers, demonstrating a professional and courteous demeanor Attends, schedules, documents in and maintains huddle boards. Escalates issues as needed. Identifies, addresses gaps and needs and works to find solutions to existing dilemmas. Reviews directives, standing orders, service line agreements, and standard of procedures to provide information and guidance to staff referencing where such can be found. Serves as the necessary point of contact for other employees within the service, as well as for other administrative, clinical and managerial staff and departments throughout VCB. Monitors and performs work assignments, provides input on work processes, prioritizes daily work and maintains efficient workflow. Monitors optometry consult status by pulling reports and following up on any open consults to ensure action taken and completion. Pulls open encounter reports, unsigned notes and unsigned co-signed notes and alerts providers to close. Tracks and monitors to completion. Monitors, routes, tracks Optometry peer reviews and FPPE/OPPEs. Applies clerical and technical procedures, methods, and techniques in the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of program's operation. Tracks and gathers data for Optometry Supervisor and Surgery AO. Manages clinical reminder reports and coordinates dissemination of information to providers tracking and reporting compliance. Requests records for administratively closed consults to assure timely resolution for clinical reminders. Communicates and works closely with service Program Specialist when equipment and supplies are needed. Office Automation Support: Works independently to control and maintain office and/or information systems such as forms, records, mail distribution, directives or publications, and management systems. Uses multiple automated programs and software such as databases, spreadsheets, and graphics in support of administrative and clerical work. Compiles readily available data in a presentable manner from a variety of resources and recognizes and corrects obvious discrepancies and data omissions. Generates and reviews documents, reports, and/or applications for omissions and inconsistencies, and ensure data entry is complete and accurate. Performs ADPAC, timekeeping duties, and travel arrangements primarily for Optometry Program Support for Surgical Service: Monitors message manager messages, escalates if needed, and ensures they are addressed and completed timely. Complete all steps required for conducting meetings, including setting up invites, agenda preparation, email notifications, taking notes, transcribing minutes for all meetings and conference calls involving the entire Surgery service. Maintains record of service monthly meeting agenda and minutes. Routes correspondence. Serves as backup ADPAC and RLO to Surgery Service Management Assistant, alternate Timekeeper to Surgery TL, and backup Travel Arranger for Surgery staff. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30pm (Monday through Friday) Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. This is an onsite position. Ad-hoc Telework may be offered when deemed necessary by the department. (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, must complete required telework training and a telework agreement.) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD013680 Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. 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 Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required 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. 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. 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, 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 08/19/2026. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service). 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 includes but are not limited to: knowledge of office management principles and processes. Must have a thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office, VISTA, VSSC, CPRS, to be able to assist staff with technical guidance. Knowledge of basic skills and understanding of the methods and techniques of program support and data analysis and the structures, functions, processes, objectives, product services as well as the resource requirements necessary to manage Surgery/Optometry service. Must possess an extensive knowledge of directives, guidelines, regulations, and precedents, where to find them, and how to apply them. Must have the ability to apply basic data gathering methods, such as collecting various @types of information from an array of computer applications, reports, and documents. Must possess strong technical skills in information technology management to be able to provide staff technical guidance. Must demonstrate an understanding of continuous improvement and system redesign concepts to help identify gaps and needs in order to effectively contribute and implement continuous improvement and system redesign strategies and programs. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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. 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.
