Duties

• Lead complex and far-reaching performance improvement initiatives using systems engineering/systems redesign principles. The incumbent will take on a leadership role in organizing and conducting performance improvement efforts based on systems engineering principles such as, but not limited to, LEAN and Systems Redesign. The incumbent will modify standard LEAN and Systems Redesign methodologies to fit into the healthcare environment in general and the organizational cultural transformation already underway in VISN 2. The incumbent will demonstrate creativity and flexibility in the integration of standard systems engineering improvement methodologies with existing organizational cultural transformation efforts. In this capacity, the incumbent is expected to not only lead performance specific improvement efforts but also train others.
• Provide consultative support on identifying appropriate process measures and monitors for quality and performance improvement based on systems engineering tools and principles. The incumbent will serve as an internal consultant to groups working to improve quality and performance by helping them identify the most appropriate measures and monitors to ensure quality outcomes. To this end, the incumbent will help performance teams develop process maps and identify steps critical to improve quality outcomes. Once critical to quality steps have been identified, the incumbent will work with teams to identify measurement and monitoring strategies that balances effort with effectiveness based on sound statistical analysis.
• Manage faculty and staff involved in studies based on systems engineering principles to optimize quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency in healthcare systems. These studies will use a wide range of advanced analytical techniques, statistical methods, and systems engineering tools to collect baseline information, identify limitations in current systems, and discover potential improvements. The incumbent will manage faculty developing statistical, graphical, and narrative reports and communicate these studies to network executive leadership, medical center leadership, and other staff.
• Ensure sustainability and spread of program efforts directed at improving quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency using management engineering. The incumbent will collaborate with medical center leadership and management to ensure that improvements to processes spread to other work unites and locations and that these improvements are sustained over time. To this end, the incumbent will work with VISN staff and the Office of Organizational Excellence (SAIL and other programs) to develop methods for the measurement and assessment of spread and sustainability. The incumbent will work with other individuals and services to develop automated systems for tracking improvement (data trending, data dashboards, and balanced scorecards) and for monitoring projectprogress and completion (project management, "closing the loop"). The incumbent will provide oversight for national reporting activities related to the VISN 2 Improvement Program.
• Manage faculty and staff involved in planning and conduct studies directed at reducing errors due to cognitive overloading and human-computer interaction failure. The incumbent will work with VISN 2 faculty and staff to identify systems design problems that contribute to human errors and then identify alternative systems and processes based on systems engineering principles to mitigate these types of errors.
• Manage faculty and staff involved planning and conducting studies of management functions in support of improvements in organizational structure and staffing level efficiency. The incumbent will actively participate in the network's and national VHA efforts to create a culture of quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency by planning and conducting studies directed at identifying optimumstaffing and management structures.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

  Documents Required:
  

  • Resume

  Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
  Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
  Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
  To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12356509.
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  Tara Lanigan

  Phone

  612-467-6517

  Email

  Tara.Lanigan@va.gov

  Address

  Biomed - Syracuse VA Medical Center
  800 Irving Ave
  Syracuse, NY 13210
  US

  Next steps

  After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.