What are the responsibilities and job description for the Health System Specialist-GHATP Trainee position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position serves as a GHATP Trainee (Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program) - functioning as a Health System Specialist in the Office of the Director of the Medical Facility - & is responsible for managing projects & assisting with the coordination of daily office activities & is responsible for all program matters under the direction of the Medical Center Director that is delegated to them.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 03/31/2026. This occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement - for this series - the following Basic Requirement must be met in addition to the Specialized Experience. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration - with coursework in health care administration. OR Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: Missions - organizations - programs - and requirements of health care delivery systems; Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and Government-wide - agency - and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget - personnel - and procurement. Special Provision for Inservice Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience - provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies - practices - and procedures - and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses - work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-9 Qualifications Requirement: Specialized Experience: one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health Systems Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: (1) Missions - organizations - programs - and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide - agency - and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget - personnel - and procurement. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree - or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree - or an LLB. or J.D. in a field of the position to be filled (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate-level education - and specialized experience as described above - to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with coursework in health care administration). GS-11 Qualifications Requirement: Specialized Experience: one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health Systems Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: (1) Missions - organizations - programs - and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide - agency - and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget - personnel - and procurement. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree - Or LL.M in the related field of the position to be filled (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree - and specialized experience as described above - to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with coursework in health care administration). Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary - although some slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. 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/.
Duties
This position serves as a GHATP Trainee (Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program) - functioning as a Health System Specialist in the Office of the Director of the Medical Facility - & is responsible for managing projects & assisting with the coordination of daily office activities & is responsible for all program matters under the direction of the Medical Center Director that is delegated to them.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 03/31/2026. This occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement - for this series - the following Basic Requirement must be met in addition to the Specialized Experience. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration - with coursework in health care administration. OR Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: Missions - organizations - programs - and requirements of health care delivery systems; Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and Government-wide - agency - and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget - personnel - and procurement. Special Provision for Inservice Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience - provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies - practices - and procedures - and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses - work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-9 Qualifications Requirement: Specialized Experience: one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health Systems Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: (1) Missions - organizations - programs - and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide - agency - and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget - personnel - and procurement. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree - or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree - or an LLB. or J.D. in a field of the position to be filled (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate-level education - and specialized experience as described above - to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with coursework in health care administration). GS-11 Qualifications Requirement: Specialized Experience: one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health Systems Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: (1) Missions - organizations - programs - and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide - agency - and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget - personnel - and procurement. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree - Or LL.M in the related field of the position to be filled (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree - and specialized experience as described above - to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (i.e. - hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with coursework in health care administration). Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary - although some slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. 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/.
Duties
- Serves as a Health System Specialist (GHATP Trainee-Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program) within a one-year formalized national training program
- The GHATP training program is designed so that the incumbent acquires the knowledge - skills - abilities - and competencies necessary to assume progressively more complex responsibilities and assist the Office of the Medical Center Director in successfully meeting its mission and strategic goals
- Major Duties and Responsibilities: Utilizes data and reporting tools to develop health-planning strategies impacting the operations of medical centers - network offices - and/or VHACO program offices
- Analyzes data trends in budget and fiscal operations supporting the preparation and execution of budget and committee meetings
- Researches laws - regulations - and policies related to budget and fiscal management - displaying knowledge of VA health care system operations
- Participates on project teams in lead or support roles - identifying and improving operational processes impacting services of the VA health care system
- Displays knowledge of VA priorities and mission statements to recommend improvements to policy and procedures related to budget and administrative operations
- Observes - analyzes - and reports under professional service direction the areas of discipline - rewards and recognition - reassignment - staff adjustments and realignments - labor/management relationships - affirmative employment - and alternative dispute resolutions and grievances to understand processes for conducting projects and studies
- Performs rotations and on-site visits to make recommendations to the issues and opportunities present at the Network and other VA/VHA facilities and program offices
- Analyzes org charts - policies - VERA - and SAIL data to represent the facility/Network and program office priorities during resource allocation committee meetings
- Participates in disaster preparedness and emergency management planning meetings to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of policies and procedures
- Attends facility/Network/and VHACO program office strategic and succession planning meetings to observe techniques and methodologies in VHA personnel management
- Gathers organizational data from reports and TRIP packs in preparation for media and community events - either separately or in conjunction with the Public Affairs Office
- Reviews and explores VHA relationships and processes with affiliated education programs
- Participates in local hospital council - veteran organization - and community organization meetings with VHA senior leader staff members
- Manages - leads - and administers project plans which include meeting objectives - assigning resources - giving briefings and presentations as project representative - maintaining quality assurance processes - creating project documentation - and completing after-action review reports and follow-up procedures in conducting comprehensive project management
- Reviews and reports on facility policies in preparation for surveys - audits - and inspections in quality assurance - compliance - and procedures governed by internal and external organizations
- Develops and presents an innovative project recommending improvements to policies - procedures - and services provided by VHA at the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
- Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
- Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Monday-Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist-GHATP Trainee/PDS0001S and PDS0002S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Salary : $70,623 - $111,087