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 functioning as a Health System Specialist in the Office of the Medical Center Director - VISN 9 - Lt. Col. Luke Weathers - Jr. VA Medical Center in Memphis - Tennessee and is responsible for managing projects and assisting in the coordination of daily office activities. The incumbent is responsible for all program matters under the direction of the Medical Center Director that is delegated to them. (Applicant must be willing to relocate.)
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:07/02/2026. RECENT GRADUATE REQUIREMENT: Recent graduates who have completed - within the previous two years - a qualifying associates - bachelors - masters - professional - doctorate - vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree - due to military service obligation - have as much as six years after degree completion to apply. In addition to meeting the requirements for Recent Graduates - you must meet the following minimum qualifications requirements. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for occupational series 0671 - Health Administration Series: Education: One of the following requirements must be met in order to be found qualified: Undergraduate or Graduate Education. Applicant must have a major study in hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. (Transcripts required) OR - Specialized Experience: 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. OR - 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. In addition to the recent graduate requirement - the Individual Occupational Requirement - and the Statement of Purpose - the applicant must also meet the below specialized experience. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Grade Determination GS-9: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: 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: 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. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. - if related in hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 18 semester hours. ~AND~ Provide a Statement of Purpose: Explain how you believe the VHA Health Systems Management Trainee Program will assist you in further defining your primary personal and/or professional life goals. Why is now the best time for you to pursue this training? Your explanation should include - but not necessarily be limited to - a description of both your intermediate and longer-term career goals - as well as a current vision of your desired position upon program completion. Please limit your response to no more than 4000 characters (about one page). If you are referred for consideration - you may be asked to submit additional job related information - which may include - but not limited to; responses to knowledge - skills and abilities; completion of a work sample - and/or contact for an interview. 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/. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary - although slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. Recent graduates who have successfully completed all program requirements - may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to term or permanent appointments.
Duties
This position serves as a GHATP Trainee functioning as a Health System Specialist in the Office of the Medical Center Director - VISN 9 - Lt. Col. Luke Weathers - Jr. VA Medical Center in Memphis - Tennessee and is responsible for managing projects and assisting in the coordination of daily office activities. The incumbent is responsible for all program matters under the direction of the Medical Center Director that is delegated to them. (Applicant must be willing to relocate.)
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:07/02/2026. RECENT GRADUATE REQUIREMENT: Recent graduates who have completed - within the previous two years - a qualifying associates - bachelors - masters - professional - doctorate - vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree - due to military service obligation - have as much as six years after degree completion to apply. In addition to meeting the requirements for Recent Graduates - you must meet the following minimum qualifications requirements. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for occupational series 0671 - Health Administration Series: Education: One of the following requirements must be met in order to be found qualified: Undergraduate or Graduate Education. Applicant must have a major study in hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. (Transcripts required) OR - Specialized Experience: 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. OR - 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. In addition to the recent graduate requirement - the Individual Occupational Requirement - and the Statement of Purpose - the applicant must also meet the below specialized experience. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Grade Determination GS-9: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: 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: 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. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. - if related in hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 18 semester hours. ~AND~ Provide a Statement of Purpose: Explain how you believe the VHA Health Systems Management Trainee Program will assist you in further defining your primary personal and/or professional life goals. Why is now the best time for you to pursue this training? Your explanation should include - but not necessarily be limited to - a description of both your intermediate and longer-term career goals - as well as a current vision of your desired position upon program completion. Please limit your response to no more than 4000 characters (about one page). If you are referred for consideration - you may be asked to submit additional job related information - which may include - but not limited to; responses to knowledge - skills and abilities; completion of a work sample - and/or contact for an interview. 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/. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary - although slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. Recent graduates who have successfully completed all program requirements - may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to term or permanent appointments.
Duties
- This position is being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program
- This program provides recent graduates with work experience directly related to their degree and career goals while offering eligibility for conversion to permanent employment upon completion of the program requirements
- Click here for more information about the Department of Veterans Affairs Recent Graduate Program
- This position involves a multi-grade career ladder
- The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11
- At the GS-09 grade level - you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence
- You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11
- Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance - availability of higher level work - and availability of funds
- The GHATP Trainee serves as a Health System Specialist 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
- The incumbent will develop an individual development plan (IDP) and receive recurring progress reviews by the supervisor
- Major duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: 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
- 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
- The grade progression for this position is GS-11
- 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
- The grade progression for this position is GS-9 to GS-11
- Work Schedule: Full time - Monday through Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position may be authorized for telework
- Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist (GHATP Trainee)
- Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Salary : $61,722 - $80,242