This position serves as a Standards Engineer in the Clinical Informatics and Data Management Office (CIDMO) of VHA's Office of Health Informatics (OHI). Incumbent provides technical and operational leadership for the Health Informatics Health IT (HIT) Standards program to ensure the provision of timely, high quality standards-related consultation, development and outreach to partners within VHA, VA, as well as across the government and in the national and international healthcare communities.
Summary
This position serves as a Standards Engineer in the Clinical Informatics and Data Management Office (CIDMO) of VHA's Office of Health Informatics (OHI). Incumbent provides technical and operational leadership for the Health Informatics Health IT (HIT) Standards program to ensure the provision of timely, high quality standards-related consultation, development and outreach to partners within VHA, VA, as well as across the government and in the national and international healthcare communities.
Establishes and exercises systems and processes that deliver expert health standards development engagement and consultation, contributing to a common framework for functional and semantic interoperability
Devises strategies and plans for productive use of emerging health informatics concepts, health standard transport mechanisms, data storage and retrieval mechanisms and the use of health data in the provision of care and secondary use of data for analytics
Leads and coordinates consultation, compliance, analysis and development of Health IT Standards
Serves as an authoritative source for agency wide consultations regarding the implementation and integration of current and emerging national standards in a variety of domains
Utilizes comprehensive knowledge in U.S relevant Health IT Standards, Standards Development Organizations and Health IT Standards Related Organizations (SRO) to deliver Health IT consulting services to large-scale programs
Leverages and influences standards to support content management strategies by unlocking access to information, eliminating redundancy in duplicate data sources and improving information interoperability
Identifies trends in clinical practice, delivery models/environments, and their interrelation with electronic health records, health information exchange methodologies, and health information standards programs
Provides consulting and strategic advice at the request of industry leaders regarding health information exchange, analytics, and health informatics experience and knowledge
Determines knowledge acquisition and management requirements and provides subject matter expertise in the design and application of automated methods and tools to enhance clinical practice for Veterans' and Service member's use of health technology and health data exchange
Applies expert specialized knowledge of Health IT systems and systems integration to problem definition and resolution efforts
Develops and implements plans and strategies combining organizational concepts with meaningful use and enhancing medical information systems
Uses an analytical clinical informatics framework, such as systems theory, to apply design principles for evaluation of information systems created to facilitate delivery of care
Uses specialized knowledge and deep standards related technical expertise to represent the VA Health IT community interests and activities to internal and external organizations involved in development of and implementation of national and international standards regarding electronic health record and community-based health information exchange
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: General Engineer - Health IT Standards/PD772350 Virtual: This is a virtual position.. Physical Requirements: The work may require some physical effort, such as standing, walking, bending, or sitting. The work often requires long hours to meet program deadlines and to devise corrective action and solutions to unexpected management crises resulting in sometimes highly stressful work situations. The work requires almost constant use of a video display terminal.
Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
May serve a probationary period
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Qualifications
Basic Requirement:
Degree (bachelor's or higher) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships) (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics (d) thermodynamics (e) electrical fields & circuits (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties) and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Transcripts required. OR
Combination of education, experience and/or training
Professional Registration or Licensure: Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Documentation must be provided. OR
Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Documentation must be provided. OR
Specified Academic Courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described above in number 1. Transcripts required. OR
Related Curriculum - Successful completion of curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided you have had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. Transcripts required.
Minimum Grade Level Requirements: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, you must also meet one of the following additional experience requirements at the GS-14 level.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current, permanent 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-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. 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. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one year time-in-grade.
Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a General Engineer, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. The professional engineering experience required is defined as non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability. Such engineering experience would have provided a working knowledge of engineering, construction, cost estimating, and project management on highly complex projects. Specialized experience at this level includes: Comprehensive knowledge in U.S relevant HIT Standards, Standards Development Organizations and HIT Standards Related Organizations (SRO) including at a minimum Health Level 7 (HL7) and at least one other HIT SDO such as International Health Terminology Standards Development Organization (IHTSDO), the Object Management Group (OMG), Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee Open Health Tools. Development of and implementation of national and international standards regarding electronic health record and community-based health information exchange.
Selective Placement Factors - To be qualified, you must also meet both Selective Placement Factors:
Primary author of at least one Health IT Standard balloted at HL7, OMG or other ISO Standards Development Organization (SDO); AND
Chair or Co-Chair at least one working group at HL7, OMG or other ISO Standards Development Organization (SDO).
You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
Health Information Technology Standards Development 60006 - Ability to understand the current technical Health Information Technology standards landscape, the desired future HIT technical standards landscape and a practical path between the two. Ability to collaboratively devise implementable technical solutions that are approved by consensus.
Standards Development Organization Operational Engagement 60007 - Understanding and experience in the policies, procedures and processes of Health Level 7 (HL7), the Object Management Group (OMG) or other ISO Standards Development Organization.
Systems Thinking - Performs analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems; considers the whole system and recognizes links between everything from the complex network of global to departmental priorities.
Technical Competence - Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise in Health or Clinical Informatics; maintains credibility with others on technical matters.
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.
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.
Additional information
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume
If current, permanent Federal Employee - Most recent SF-50 (Current Federal Employees must provide an SF50 dated 1-2-22 or later; WG employees must provide one dated within 1 year of the closing date)
ATTENTION: You may need to submit more than one SF-50 if we cannot verify you meet time-in-grade (TIG) by your most recent SF-50. For example, if your most recent SF-50 is a General Adjustment, we need your most recent SF-50 dated 01/03/21 and another SF-50 to verify TIG. Examples of SF-50s for TIG verification include your last within-grade increase or promotion to highest grade held. Promotion shows when you started the grade level and a within-grade increase verifies you were at that grade level for at least one year. Failure to provide your most recent SF-50 dated 01/03/21 or later and other SF-50s to verify TIG will result in you being disqualified. We cannot verify time-in-grade based only on the grade and step you are currently on.
CTAP/ICTAP documentation
If you are a current or former Federal employee applying for a higher grade and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements. 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
Transcript(s)
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Documents Accepted:
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
OF-306
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certification
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/27/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11499867.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
VHA Service Center - 1
6100 Oak Tree Boulevard
Independence, OH 44131
US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume
If current, permanent Federal Employee - Most recent SF-50 (Current Federal Employees must provide an SF50 dated 1-2-22 or later; WG employees must provide one dated within 1 year of the closing date)
ATTENTION: You may need to submit more than one SF-50 if we cannot verify you meet time-in-grade (TIG) by your most recent SF-50. For example, if your most recent SF-50 is a General Adjustment, we need your most recent SF-50 dated 01/03/21 and another SF-50 to verify TIG. Examples of SF-50s for TIG verification include your last within-grade increase or promotion to highest grade held. Promotion shows when you started the grade level and a within-grade increase verifies you were at that grade level for at least one year. Failure to provide your most recent SF-50 dated 01/03/21 or later and other SF-50s to verify TIG will result in you being disqualified. We cannot verify time-in-grade based only on the grade and step you are currently on.
CTAP/ICTAP documentation
If you are a current or former Federal employee applying for a higher grade and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements. 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
Transcript(s)
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Documents Accepted:
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
OF-306
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certification
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/27/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11499867.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
VHA Service Center - 1
6100 Oak Tree Boulevard
Independence, OH 44131
US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
