Health System Specialist (Executive Assistant to the Visn Chief Nursing Officer)

Summary

Health System Specialist will serve as the Executive Staff Assistant for Clinical and Nursing Operations and reports to the VISN 09 Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) providing health systems management support services in full support of network office mission, goals and objectives relating primarily to clinical operations.

Duties

• This Health Systems Specialist will serve as the Executive Staff Assistant to the Chief Nursing Officer for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 9 within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and provides assistance in policy development and managerial decision-making.
• Duties will include but not limited to: Provide support to health care executives by analyzing, evaluating, advising on and/or coordinating health care delivery systems and operations for the network.
• The position renders advice on operational and nursing policies and assures these policies are coordinated with, and in support of, field operations at each of the VISN facilities.
• The incumbent must assure that operational policies are coordinated with and in support of administrative functions in coordination with the supervisor.
• Use initiative in organizing and accomplishing the responsibilities that have been delegated.
• The incumbent works closely with senior management officials and others in implementing and evaluating policies, plans, and internal operational systems.
• Addresses specific problem areas and applies a high degree of analytical ability and specialized healthcare knowledge to the management of healthcare delivery systems.
• Serves as a representative of the Chief Nursing Officer on issues as appropriate, and works with others toward meeting national mandates, such as the recently implemented and evolving nursing professional standards and scope of practice, sterile processing regulations, clinical contact center requirements, and veteran experience program initiates.
• This position exercises broad latitude and provides senior expert level advice to senior personnel, and/or agency officials concerning complex, novel, and unusual healthcare issues.
• Special studies and project requests for information will be provided to VISN 09 Executive Leadership within established time frames.
• Manages the overall administrative operations for the various services and programs under the auspices of the Chief Nursing Officer.
• Plans, controls, and directs administrative programs.
• Manages contracts and budgets in a cost-effective manner.
• Prepares annual budget forecasts and oversees the preparation of submittals related to balances score cards, business plans and management briefings.
• Facilitates two-way communication with the Health System Specialists and Administrative Officers in the Administrative and Clinical Service Lines at medical centers and VISN through regularly scheduled meetings intended to ensure consistent and competent business practices and reporting.
• Facilitates training of Health System Specialists and Administrative Officers aligned under the Chief Nursing Officer to fill gaps in their business knowledge using appropriate subject matter experts.
• Monitor health performance measures, administrative performance measures and manage change within each/all system/s of care; participates in developing plans to meet or exceed the network's Strategic Plan, priority construction projects and performance measures; participates in development and documentation of long and short range planning efforts; develops, reviews and recommends business plans, resource projections, priorities, justifications, action plans, etc.; prepares and contributes to reports, action plans, and other presentations on program planning and evaluation as well as VISN reporting (internally and externally).
• Knowledge of the Strategic Capital Investment Planning Process and development of Annual VISN operating and Budget plans and objectives.
• Responsible for the development of comprehensive business plans to improve the operation and cost effectiveness of VISN programs which involve and impact several clinical and administrative services.
• Coordinates and monitors the implementation of initiatives to expand or enhance health care programs.
• Designs and conducts a wide variety of comprehensive and detailed analyses of complex functions and processes related to health care programs, evaluates the use of new technologies and business practices, and recommends best outcome options.
• Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 4:00pm; Subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Available at supervisory discretion Telework: Eligible on a Adhoc basis Virtual: This may be a virtual position.
• (Reporting to another government owned or leased space other than the VISN 9 Headquarters located in Franklin, TN.) Remote: This is NOT a remote position.
• (Work from home) Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist (Executive Assistant to the VISN Chief Nursing Officer) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station Incentive: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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.

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).

Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s 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 interest. In 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.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing 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.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans' Preference.