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The incumbent is assigned as a Transportation Assistant for the Beneficiary Travel Program within the Health Administration Service (HAS) of the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS). Maintains responsibility for processing Beneficiary Travel Claims utilizing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture (VistA), local Beneficiary Travel Dashboard, local tools and other VHA software programs.
Learn more about this agency07/20/2022 to 08/10/2022
$36,118 - $46,953 per year
GS 5
2 vacancies in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
None
No
No
CAZM-11577904-22-RJ
666443700
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Current excepted service federal employees.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
This job announcement is open to current, permanent competitive federal employees, and current, permanent federal excepted service employees covered by Interchange Agreement, VEOA eligible candidates, status eligibles, individuals covered under special hiring authorities and ICTAP eligible applicants. If you are an internal Department of Veterans Affairs Employee, or CTAP eligible you should apply to: CAZM-11577903-22-RJ
Responsible for determining eligibility for Beneficiary Travel benefits to include application of any deductibles, processing denials for ineligible claims, and forwarding travel vouchers to Fiscal Service for processing. Responsible for reviewing and approving special mode consults utilizing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture (VistA), local tools and other VHA software programs.
Responsible for arranging all modes of transportation via air ambulance, commercial air, taxi, ambulance, bus and/or independent transports. Corresponds with physician, traveler, and vendor to determine the most dependable and economical mode of transportation. Prepares appropriate documentation and/or scheduling for traveler according to government rates or substantial rates.
Makes special arrangements per physician documentation according to traveler's medical condition and/or preference. Secures reservations and tickets from carriers. Forwards correspondence to receiving facility travel department and/or physician via itinerary or stated preferences with destination and time. Maintains contact with traveler in route to resolve potential problems. Maintains communications with receiving facilities regarding beneficiaries return travel arrangements. Reviews requests for reimbursement of travel costs for the purpose of assuring compliance with regulations and procedures, completeness, accuracy, internal consistency, and agreement with basic authorization. Reconciles vouchers against authorizations for accuracy prior to preparing certifications for payment.
Acts as liaison between vendors and Fiscal Service for travel vouchers pending payment. Writes or selects appropriate letters explaining disposition of denied travel claims. Responsible for explaining the regulatory guidelines to beneficiaries or vendors seeking payment for reimbursement of travel expenses or transportation services. Responsible for balancing, reconciling, and adjusting payment of Beneficiary Travel Claims for Special Mode.
Communicates and interacts with patien1s in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.
Adheres to fire, safety, and security requirements.
In the performance of official duties, the employee has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under. the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHS&RA policy. Maintains responsibility for (1) protecting those data from unauthorized release of form loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and (2) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and user ADP security as set out in the computer access agreement which the employee signs.
Maintains regular and recurring contact with personnel external to the agency for the obtainment of services, sharing of information and authorization, clarification or denial of payments. Maintains responsibility for preparing reports, conduct audits and analysis of Beneficiary Travel fund control point(s) activity at the direction of the Supervisory Mobility Transportation Specialist. Serves as a fund control point clerk for Beneficiary Travel fund control points, obligate funds, maintain manual and electronic accounting records, perform regular reconciliations and adjusting account balances.
Maintains responsibility for notifying approving official(s) to authorize obligations and requests for additions, deductions, and/or movement of funds. Makes necessary changes to fund control points at the direction of Supervisory Mobility Transportation Specialist. Corresponds with Fiscal Service at the direction of Supervisory Mobility Transportation Specialist upon any clarification of posting on control points. Maintains responsibility for maintenance and compliance of vendor files for providers of transportation services. Maintains and controls filing system for Beneficiary Travel Program in accordance with VA regulations.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Transportation Assistant/PD01048A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.
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.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/10/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11577904.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications 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. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/666443700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?
VCB
VA TEXAS VALLEY COASTAL BEND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
The VATVCBHCS is comprised of the Corpus Christi Outpatient Clinic, Corpus Christi Specialty Clinic, Harlingen Outpatient Clinic, Health Care Center at Harlingen, Laredo Outpatient Clinic, and McAllen Outpatient Clinic. The VATVCBHCS is an ambulatory health care system providing health care in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and rehabilitation medicine. The VATVCBHCS also operates a 100-patient Home Based Primary Care program and a 200-patient Care Coordination Home Tele-Health Program. Through the utilization of inpatient/emergency department contracts, approximately 2600 inpatient admission and 5800 ER visits are managed by VATVCBHCS. Affiliated with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Medical School, the system has an active ambulatory care program and serves as a teaching and training site for medical residents. The VATVCBHCS is responsible for an enrollee population of over 30,000 veterans and 350,000 outpatient visits annually.
