Program Analyst (Informatics) TCF Trainee

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define who we are our culture and how we care for Veterans their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect and Excellence (I CARE). Thats why we created the Technical Career Field (TCF) Program - one of the largest training programs at VA. TCF positions equip professionals (including veterans) with the specialized knowledge they need to support the delivery of quality health care for our Nations veterans.

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained coached and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually through an extensive application process for their technical expertise their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility Training and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11 performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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 Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee is an integral member of a Quality Management service line that uses communication education and leadership to support comprehension of and adaptation to organizational updates; leveraging project management principles and environmental assessment to drive adoption of change. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Routine dialog to enable the sustainment and optimization of our health information technology (IT) solutions and workflows for the benefit of all staff and Veterans.
• Cultivates a healthy collaboration between enterprise and facility level clinical / biomedical engineering staff and health informatics ensuring that patient care technology is effectively and efficiently integrated into the clinical process.
• Supports the thorough analysis of a workflow to consider opportunities for the potential improvement or optimization of the behavior of people systems information and tools.
• Ensures the VHA EHR operates in a way that improves patient care ensures patient safety and meets the needs of providers through continuous evaluation testing and improvement of the system.
• Applies a true end-to-end process to evaluate workflows identify issues develop solutions based on best practice guidelines and resolves and communicates changes.
• Studies how people interact with devices products and systems.
• Utilizes an applied field where behavioral science engineering and other disciplines come together to develop the principles that help assure that devices and systems are optimized for the people meant to use them.
• Evaluates documents analyzes prioritizes and recognizes requirements for the improvement of the EHR and other systems in collaboration with the end-user.
• Supports the initial phase of requirements analysis where information is gathered on what an IT system needs to perform by engaging with business owners subject matter experts (SME).
• Uses communication education and leadership to support comprehension of and adaptation to organizational updates.
• Provides communication channels to clinical and business teams to support deployment sustainment and optimization efforts.
• Performs activities that support the management and delivery of educational experiences using information solutions and technology in all areas of healthcare.
• Utilizes innovative practice patterns and specializations to continuously develop the informatics role and associated competencies aligning it with the strategic needs of the organization.
• Develops and provides formal and informal education and in-services to facility staff as required to facilitate program success.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/17/2026.

NOTE: While this position is in an interim process to be converted to a Hybrid position the position still follows Title 5 qualification standards per the office of personnel management (OPM). You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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.

• Examples of appropriate SF-50s include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

• SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as:
  • Knowledge and use of clinical software packages.
  • Prepares reports and presents information effectively.
  • Performs data analysis to include collecting evaluating and synthesizing data.
  • Assisting with evaluating and recommending operational process changes.

• EDUCATION: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of successfully completed graduate level education.

• SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for Special Advancement for Achievement (SAA) applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelors degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following:
  • Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college university or major subdivision.
  • A grade point average of B (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
  • A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
  • Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit more information regarding SAA please visit Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position and education beyond a bachelors degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify a copy of your transcript is required.
  
  You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  
  Data Management
  Technical Competence
  Analytical Thinking
  Critical Thinking
  Communication
  
  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.
  
  For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at REQUIREMENTS: The work is usually sedentary but it requires periods of walking standing bending or climbing and employees may carry light items such as books instruments laptops and other similar materials.
  Education

  A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
  
  Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit:

  Additional information

  This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
  
  If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
  
  Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

  Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

  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.

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  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.