Health System Specialist (Associate Group Practice Manager)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health System Specialist.

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: (1) Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.

At this level, applicants would have obtained this experience working within a health care setting, working directly with healthcare professionals and organizational leadership to solve problems in support of the delivery of patient care and program/operational functions; qualitative /quantitative as well as analytical/evaluative methods for development and management of a major administrative program for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems; Inclusive knowledge of the range of national administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the administration of one or more important public programs; Expertise in a wide variety of computer and data management packages and VA databases, including Clinic Practice Management Dashboard, VistA, CPRS, Clinic Access Index, Access Glide Path, SAIL, SPARQ, SHEP, Pyramid, etc.; Knowledge of agency program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key program events and milestones, and methods of evaluating program events, milestones, and accomplishments; and Skill to plan, organize, and lead teams to accept and implement recommendations where conflicting goals may exist.

NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate 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 Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major duties include: Provides access related consultative services, working in collaboration with facility Service Lines, to review and develop guidance and policies that will facilitate standardized processes within the facility and applicable CBOCs, etc. Review and provide input on regulations and policies for local interpretation, utilizing local group practice management and communication strategies.

Reviews and evaluates assigned processes and procedures to determine areas of effectiveness, efficiency, and improvement for proposal through local GPM group and supervisor. Promotes established system-wide training plans to optimize local use. Works with Veteran Experience Officers within the local facility to evaluate patient and family concerns regarding the access to services needed. Aligns local processes with planning and policies at higher levels.

Utilizes advanced principles and strategies for access improvement to review and provide recommendations to Clinical Leads, including identifying strategies to reduce backlog. Works with local personnel to integrate data analytics and measures with continuous process improvement utilizing LEAN, Six Sigma, and other improvement methodologies to meet and sustain ambulatory care goals and objectives.

Incorporates process improvement based upon knowledge of VHA's and local organizational philosophy, policies and management principles. Works independently with personnel at the facility, CBOCs, etc., to implement local, national and VISN standards, and reports or addresses administrative process/system issues and other areas of concern. Assists clinic managers in forecasting the impact of staff changes and developing countermeasures to mitigate the effect of staff shortages on access to care.

Works closely with clinic managers to formulate budget recommendations for all outpatient clinical services to allocate all available resources to achieve optimal outcomes in access to care and the Veteran Experience. Provides administrative program advice for ambulatory care clinical support services. Implements established action plans that will enable clinical grids to accurately reflect supply.

Acts as a liaison or point person for communications with persons and/or groups internal or external to the facility, representing Group Practice Management on clinical access issues. In the absence of the supervisor, may act as a representative of ambulatory care management and the Chief of Staff with appropriate professional groups and administrative staff in an effort to coordinate activities and resolve any problems.

Establishes and maintains good relations with various groups and organizations, including other medical centers, medical societies, medical schools, colleges and universities, accrediting agencies, public health officials and organizations, volunteer work groups, and the community at large. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist (Associate Group Practice Manager)/PD99865S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized