Health System Specialist - Health Professions Education (HPE) Specialist

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Health Systems Specialist – Health Professions Education (HPE) Specialist. This position supports the Designated Education Officer (DEO) and HPE management for establishing, maintaining, and evaluating the quality of HPE programs and the quality of care delivered by health professions trainees (HPTs) at the VA medical facility.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical work for HPE programs, including affiliation agreements, trainee qualifications and credentials letters (TQCVL), program letters of agreement (PLAs), direct HPT/affiliate staff customer service, and the on‑ and off‑boarding processes of HPTs.
• Review and validate HPT applications, qualifications, and appointments against OAA criteria before clinical rotations and patient care begin.
• Inform management with authoritative analyses, policy guidance, and opinions regarding HPT appointment and on‑ and off‑boarding processes as they relate to HPE programs.
• Enhance process efficiency and the HPT training experience to support VA’s reputation and its ability to recruit and retain highly qualified HPTs.
• Enact process changes with OAA, affiliate staff, facility leadership, and clinical and administrative service lines by implementing SOPs, developing and administering training programs, and advising on HPE regulations.
• Provide complex coordination across clinical and administrative service lines at both facility and Veterans Services Integrated Network (VISN) levels.
• Synthesize and maintain data from diverse systems to cross‑check, validate, and present relevant information and reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

GS‑9 Level

• One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑7 level, directly related to the work of the position, demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform duties as a Health System Specialist.
• Experience must include progressive analytical, administrative, clinical‑management, or supervisory responsibilities in a health‑care setting, with close interaction with facility managers and coordination of administrative or clinical activities.
• Knowledge of: (1) missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health‑care delivery systems; (2) regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; (3) government‑wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.
• Alternatively, a master’s or equivalent graduate degree with two (2) full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields with health‑care administration coursework.
• Combination of graduate education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience is also acceptable.
• Transcripts must be submitted; education cannot be credited without documentation.

GS‑11 Level

• One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑9 level, directly related to the work of the position, demonstrating the same knowledge, skills, and abilities as described for GS‑9, plus the ability to analyze and synthesize data from diverse systems to improve business processes.
• Experience must include working within a health‑care setting, directly with health‑care professionals and administrators to solve problems supporting patient care and education/training, and managing an administrative component of a health‑care onboarding process.
• Alternatively, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with three (3) full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education, or an LL.M in a related field, with coursework demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Combination of graduate education (beyond a master’s degree) and specialized experience is also acceptable.
• Transcripts must be submitted; education cannot be credited without documentation.

One (1) full year of work is considered 35‑40 hours per week. Part‑time experience will be credited based on actual hours worked. Applicants must clearly indicate the nature of duties, responsibilities, and weekly hours for each position on their resume.

For more information on qualification standards, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website.

Work Schedule

Intermittent.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily sedentary, though some slight physical effort is required. Duties may include accompanying HPTs through medical or clinical training sites, walking, standing, and occasional travel to meetings and conferences. Stamina and concentration are needed to meet crucial deadlines. The work environment is a typical office in a health‑care facility, with normal safety precautions and occasional travel that may involve environmental changes.

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.