Program Applications Specialist (Group Practice Management)

30 Day Hiring Model
The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination faster assessments and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent predictable and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.
What Applicants Can Expect

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes Human Resources will quickly review applications issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References

HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.

• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer applicants should be prepared to complete required steps such as fingerprinting and background check credentialing and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones including referral tentative offer and onboarding instructions.

After meeting pre-employment requirements candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

Duties of the position include but arent limited to:

• Uses qualitative and quantitative analysis methods to analyze data and policy issues using quantitative data. Reviews Clinic Utilization Statistical Summary data and provides guidance on methodologies for improving statistics.
• Reviews national reports and identifies actions necessary to improve quality of facility scores. Identifies data requirements for effective program
• evaluations; monitors program trends through analyses of statistical data; designs statistically valid data analyses techniques to evaluate programs.
• Conducts comparative studies of internal and external organizations in relation to PVAHCS (such as other VISN 22 facilities other level 1A facilities accrediting bodies VHA oversight regulators and local market healthcare organizations).
• Designs develops and disseminates training materials local standard operating procedure (SOP) manuals develops and utilizes monitoring tools and provides for the implementation of GPM and IVC initiatives through education training and independent analysis of data.
• Identifies system inefficiencies and develops studies or data collection techniques related to specific identified problems. Identifies information needs and develops data collection methods and report formats. Research problems that impact the quality and efficiency of GPM operations.
• Serves as the functional expert for matters relating to the Clinical Practice Management Vista core packages and national reporting platforms.
• Provides training and troubleshooting for clinical and administrative staff in advanced access management principles and associated supporting software.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel for data management tracking and analysis. Skilled in producing polished data-driven presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word for drafting editing and formatting technical and administrative documents Effective use of Outlook for communication scheduling and workflow coordination.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in coordinating tasks supporting team initiatives and contributing to effective program operations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Applications Specialist (Group Practice Management)/PD145530
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 07/22/2026.

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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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 that you possess one year of time-in-grade as required by the this instance you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one year of 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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-11

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: data collection and analysis developing studies and data collection methods developing initiatives developing SOPs and manuals coordinating planning and implementing training. OR (must be in resume)
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. if related. OR (attach transcripts)
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years of a graduate degree. For example an applicant has 9 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 and 2 1/2 years of creditable graduate-level education. The applicant meets 75 percent of the required experience and 50 percent of the required education i.e. the applicant has 1/2 year of graduate study beyond that required for GS-9. Therefore the applicant exceeds the total requirement and is qualified for the position. (The applicants first 2 years of graduate study do not qualify for GS-11.)

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Required Experience:

IC