What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist position at William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital?
The William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Program Specialist to support the Radiation Oncology Department and serve as the VISN Cancer Program Manager/CCRN Program Manager. This role requires a minimum of one (1) years of direct oncology experience and expert-level proficiency in healthcare operations, program analysis, radiation oncology workflow coordination, and multi-site program oversight.
The Program Specialist provides advanced analytical, evaluative, operational, and program management expertise in support of radiation oncology, radiation oncology initiatives. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for radiation oncology operations, cancer program implementation, and research coordination.
The incumbent leads strategic planning, process optimization, program standardization, and operational execution to ensure Veterans receive high-quality, evidence-based cancer care while maintaining full compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and research requirements.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/10/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
Specialized Experience: You 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: Knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents impacting trainee education and accreditation requirements of various programs; Knowledge of basic accounting, budget structure, organizational structure, functions and systems of operations and management; Knowledge, skill and ability to effectively communicate with all levels of internal and external entities and to make clear oral and written presentations; Knowledge of word processing software equivalent to Microsoft Suite products and VISIO; Skill in the use of computer software to create and maintain databases, retrieve organizational program data, create/compile reports, produce charts, spreadsheets, and graphs to monitor projects or program statuses.
OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a masters or equivalent graduate degree, or successful completion of two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., if related, obtained in an accredited college or university, may be substituted to qualify for the grade 9, Program Specialist position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position and been obtained at an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.
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 the first year of graduate level related education. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Required Qualifications
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel.
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/.
Telework: Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. (Ad-Hoc Only)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD253050
Qualifications:
Position OverviewThe Program Specialist provides advanced analytical, evaluative, operational, and program management expertise in support of radiation oncology, radiation oncology initiatives. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for radiation oncology operations, cancer program implementation, and research coordination.
The incumbent leads strategic planning, process optimization, program standardization, and operational execution to ensure Veterans receive high-quality, evidence-based cancer care while maintaining full compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and research requirements.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/10/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
Specialized Experience: You 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: Knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents impacting trainee education and accreditation requirements of various programs; Knowledge of basic accounting, budget structure, organizational structure, functions and systems of operations and management; Knowledge, skill and ability to effectively communicate with all levels of internal and external entities and to make clear oral and written presentations; Knowledge of word processing software equivalent to Microsoft Suite products and VISIO; Skill in the use of computer software to create and maintain databases, retrieve organizational program data, create/compile reports, produce charts, spreadsheets, and graphs to monitor projects or program statuses.
OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a masters or equivalent graduate degree, or successful completion of two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., if related, obtained in an accredited college or university, may be substituted to qualify for the grade 9, Program Specialist position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position and been obtained at an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.
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 the first year of graduate level related education. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of three (1) year of experience in radiation oncology operations.
- Demonstrated expertise in healthcare program management, analytics, and organizational evaluation.
- Advanced knowledge of accreditation, regulatory, and compliance standards applicable to hematology, oncology, radiation oncology and research operations.
- Experience with fiscal management, personnel administration, and operational oversight in a healthcare environment.
- Experience working in the VA healthcare system or another large integrated healthcare network.
- Familiarity with VA hematology, oncology, radiation oncology programs, cancer registries, research coordination, and VISN-level administrative structures.
- Proficiency with VA business systems, data platforms, and performance reporting tools.
- Administration and Management
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Decision Making
- Financial Management
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Manages Resources
- Organizational Awareness
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel.
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/.
Responsibilities:
Radiation Oncology Program Leadership & VISN Coordination- Support the VISN Cancer Program Manager/CCRN Program Manager, overseeing hematology, oncology, radiation oncology operations, research coordination, cancer committee activities, and VISN-wide quality initiatives.
- Lead multi-site cancer program development, standardization, operational integration, and implementation of evidence-based practices across VAMCs.
- Monitor compliance with national, radiation oncology policies, quality standards, and research protocols to support early detection, improved outcomes, and high-quality cancer care.
- Coordinate across service lines to ensure alignment of, radiation oncology, research, administrative, and clinical cancer program goals.
Advanced Data Analytics & Performance Evaluation
Work Schedule: 7:00am to 3:30pm- Collect, compile, validate, analyze, and interpret complex datasets related to workload, staffing models, performance metrics, outcomes, access, and resource utilization.
- Develop and present dashboards, reports, and analytical models to inform executive decision-making.
- Conduct comprehensive studies of healthcare delivery systems, including organizational structures, administrative processes, human resource management, space utilization, and equipment allocation.
- Oversee day-to-day administrative operations, ensuring program effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and continuity of care delivery.
- Support workforce planning, including recruitment, retention strategies, staffing projections, job analyses, and position description development.
- Prepare and review disciplinary actions, training requests, personnel documents, and administrative actions in collaboration with HR.
- Ensure departmental compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), OIG, and radiation oncology accreditation example APEx and other accrediting and regulatory agencies.
- Participate in the development and implementation of short-term and long-term policies, integrating support services and operational initiatives.
- Draft and implement service-level policies, procedures, and guidelines in alignment with national directives and VISN priorities.
- Develop, execute, and oversee the annual radiation oncology budgets, including staffing, travel, supplies, and capital equipment needs.
- Prepare funding requests, cost analyses, annual reports, staffing proposals, and long-term financial planning documents.
- Support financial and administrative operations for the Radiation Oncology Service, as assigned, including budget formulation and operational oversight.
- Develops, coordinates, and manages contracting actions for Radiation Oncology, including procurement of specialized equipment, radiation therapy supplies, service contracts, calibration agreements, and technology renewals.
- Serves as the primary liaison with the Contracting Office, vendors, biomedical engineering, and clinical leadership to ensure timely procurement, contract execution, and lifecycle management of major capital and non-recurring equipment.
- Prepares detailed Statements of Work (SOWs), cost estimates, market research, technical evaluations, independent government cost estimates (IGCEs), and justifications to support contracting packages.
- Monitors contract performance, deliverables, timelines, and vendor compliance, resolving performance issues and providing documented assessments to the Contracting Officer as required.
- Manages service line fund control points, ensuring appropriate allocation, tracking, and reconciliation of expenditures for supplies, maintenance agreements, and service contracts.
- Reviews procurement and spending requests for accuracy, necessity, compliance with federal acquisition regulations (FAR/VAAR), and alignment with service-level priorities.
- Conducts financial analyses to support budget planning, forecasting, and resource allocation for Radiation Oncology operations, including major equipment purchases and multi-year financial planning.
- Collaborates with Resource Management, Fiscal, Supply Chain, and Logistics teams to maintain efficient and compliant acquisition, distribution, and management of Radiation Oncology resources.
- Approve timesheets, overtime, and compensatory time for staff in accordance with VA policy.
- Monitor personnel actions related to recruitment, classification, promotions, awards, time and leave, labor mapping, and delegation of authority.
- Address program issues, concerns, grievances, and operational obstacles as needed to maintain efficiency and service-level effectiveness.
Telework: Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. (Ad-Hoc Only)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD253050
Salary : $61,722