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Program Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Veteran's Health Administration, Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) in a VA Medical Center (VAMC) located in Richmond Virginia. This position serves as the Program Specialist Controlled Substance Coordinator (CSC) in the Quality Management Service at the VAMC in Richmond, VA. This position serves as the hospital wide CSC overseeing all initiatives for the Richmond VA Medical Center as it relates to the Controlled Substance Inspection Program.



Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/23/2024 to 05/02/2024
Salary
$62,579 to - $81,352 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Richmond, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTA-12396405-24-AJ
Control number
788158500

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Duties

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Manages the Controlled Substances Inspection Program for the Richmond VA Medical Center and is responsible for ensuring the Medical Center is in compliance with VA regulations and mandates.

Recommends appointment and release of the inspectors appointed to the Controlled Substance inspection Program.

Serves as the medical center expert on controlled substance inspections and trains, manages and leads from 20-25 controlled substance inspectors from diverse areas of the medical center.

Oversee and provide guidance and direction to the medical center clinical services and administrative services regarding the planning, implementation and continuous compliance, maintenance, and coordination with the Controlled Substance Program and VHA Handbooks 1108.2 and 1108.1.

Maintain awareness of laws and regulations, keeping appraised of current changes that may affect the Medical Center Controlled Substance Program through seminars, training programs, conferences, and personal contacts.

Prepare a monthly summary of findings including all noted discrepancies to the Chief of Quality Management, Chief of Staff, Associate Director of Patient Care Services, Associate Director, and Director.

Document and report on trends and frequency of non-compliance with the VHA Handbook regarding the nationally mandated program.

Monitor the monthly controlled substance unannounced inspections, by maintaining an active presence during the inspections by the inspectors.

Establish procedures for data validation, this objective is to assure accurate, timely, and consistent submission of inspection reports, quarterly statistical data, and end of the year analysis.

Providing guidance and counsel on the implementation and incorporation of the unannounced controlled substance inspections and compliance with related activities at the Richmond VA Medical Center.

Plans, develops, and directs planning processes for the Controlled Substance program in the Quality Management Service to carry out its mission and provides oversight to ensure proper implementation and follow through.

Provides advice to the QM Service Chief regarding the need for revision of the medical center's regulations and policies.

Performs staff support work in short and long-range planning efforts; directs, obtains and consolidates planning information from subordinate units; directs and recommends action or adjustments necessary to achieve required objectives.

Responsible for developing, providing, and coordinating operating programs for the medical center as it relates to Quality Management, which may include physicians, residents, nurses, and administrative staff.

Reviews internal systems to assure that both clinical and administrative activities are in compliance with agency, accrediting, and regulatory requirements.

Performs other directly related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:45am - 4:30pm - Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD029430
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,

MOST CURRENT SF-50 MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the gs-07. 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.

NOTE: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE MUST BE WELL DOCUMENTED AND DETAILED IN YOUR RESUME. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

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

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Recommending appointment and release of the inspectors appointed to the Controlled Substance Inspection Program. Coordinates and conducts inspectors training and assignments. Develops and implements effective, mandated education and training on the controlled substance inspection compliance program for all inspectors. Plans, coordinates and documents training for all inspectors. Establishes a mechanism for documentation and tracking of compliance related training to ensure that data is captured accurately and timely in accordance all applicable guidelines. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the controlled substance program and publications management. Your answer will be verified against information provided on your resume. If your resume does not clearly support your response by addressing your work experience in detail you will be disqualified.

OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify on education for the GS-09 grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. if related to the occupation. NOTE: You must submit copies of your unofficial transcripts with your application if using education as a substitution of experience.

TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY. CONFERRAL OF DEGREE(S) EARNED SHOULD BE PRESENT ON TRANSCRIPT(S). UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) OK. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY. CONFERRAL OF DEGREE(S) EARNED SHOULD BE PRESENT ON TRANSCRIPT(S). UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) OK. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Communication
  • Compliance
  • Computer Skills
  • Customer Service
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Technical Competence
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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is generally sedentary with some visits to worksites requiring walking and standing, especially when conducting an inspection. Some bending, stooping, and carrying light items such as paper, binders and medical charts is required. Keyboarding, communications, either by telephone or in person, filing and record keeping are the principal activities.

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/.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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/.

Additional information

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/.

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a 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.

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