Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates with a qualifying Master's degree, within the previous 2 years unless military service interfered with a Veteran's eligibility to apply during that two year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion may apply within 2 years of discharge or 6 years from the date of receipt of the degree whichever comes first. Veterans Preference in selection will apply. Current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, apply to announcement number CBTC-12871169-26-CP.

Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Trainee

The GHATP program provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical training within the nation's largest, integrated health care system. The one-year appointment allows for comprehensive rotations throughout various departments which offer valuable information and excellent opportunities for growth. The trainee is assigned an array of projects to increase their understanding of the diverse facets of healthcare operations and management. The trainee has unlimited access to executive meetings and committees and is considered part of the leadership team under direction of their preceptor, the Executive Director. The formalized program allows the incumbent to participate in the annual American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress in Chicago, IL, in addition to rotations through VA Central Office in Washington, D.C. and a variety of regional VA Healthcare facilities. The program is highly flexible, tailored to the interests of the trainee, and requires great initiative and self-management. The trainee has the opportunity to expand their knowledge of healthcare management and place themselves on a path to career success. Upon successful completion of the national training program, the incumbent has the potential for permanent placement within the organization.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. The position serves as a Health System Specialist (GHATP Trainee) within a one year formalized national training program (June to June). The GHATP training program is designed so that the position acquires the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary to assume progressively more complex responsibilities and assist the Office of the Medical Center Director in successfully meeting its mission and strategic goals. The position will develop an individual development plan (IDP) and receive recurring progress reviews by the supervisor.

Duties include but may not be limited to the following:

• Utilizes data and reporting tools to develop health-planning strategies impacting the operations of medical centers, network offices, and/or VHACO program offices.
• Analyzes data trends in budget and fiscal operations supporting the preparation and execution of budget and committee meetings.
• Researches laws, regulations, and policies related to budget and fiscal management displaying knowledge of VA health care system operations.
• Participates on project teams in lead or support roles identifying and improving operational processes impacting services of the VA health care system.
• Displays knowledge of VA priorities and mission statements to recommend improvements to policy and procedures related to budget and administrative operations.
• Observes, analyzes, and reports under professional service direction the areas of discipline, rewards and recognition, reassignment, staff adjustments and realignments, labor/management relationships, affirmative employment, and alternative dispute resolutions and grievances to understand processes for conducting projects and studies.
• Performs rotations and on-site visits to make recommendations to the issues and opportunities present at the Network and other VA/VHA facilities and program offices.
• Analyzes org charts, policies, VERA and SAIL data to represent the facility/Network, and program office priorities during resource allocation committee meetings.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level (GS-11) without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: Not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist (Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Trainee);
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
FInancial Disclosure: Not Requred

These are TERM appointments. Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (Not more than 4 years). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4 year maximum).

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Required to sign a Pathways Program Participant Agreement and serve a probationary/trial period.
• 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 dentification 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 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by June 13, 2026.

RECENT GRADUATE REQUIREMENT: The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is open to recent graduates who are legally permitted to work in the U.S. To be eligible.. You must have obtained one of the following qualifying degrees, certificate, career, or technical education programs: associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctoral, or technical/vocational degree or certificate (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps) from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years.

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree was completed.

YOU MUST MEET ALL 3 BELOW QUALIFICATIONS TO BE FOUND MINIMALLY QUALIFIED:

(1) (Graduate Healthcare Administrative Training Program (GHATP) Recent Graduate) This vacancy is to recruit recent graduates. A recent graduate is one that has graduated and/or completed all requirements for a graduate Masters degree in the past two years (The past two years are defined as January 2024-present) OR those who will graduate and complete all onboarding requirements before June 13, 2026.

• Qualifying degrees are: Master's degree in hospital administration, public health administration or other healthcare admin/management from a qualifying degree program recognized by the Department of Education. A Master's in business or public administration may be accepted if at least two (2) healthcare courses are taken before completion of the Master's degree.
• Courses in healthcare taken toward a Bachelor's degree DO NOT count. The healthcare courses taken MUST be toward the Masters Degree/Masters courses.Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty; however, this eligibility period cannot extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of the requirements of an academic course of study. (DD-214 required) (Unofficial transcripts will be accepted, however official transcripts must be received and provided by June 13, 2026)

-AND-
(2) Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Health System Administration Series, 0671

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- Hospital Administration, Public Health Administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. ~ OR ~

Specialized Experience: 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:

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

AND
(3) Minimum Qualification Requirement: GS-09: 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.

• Specialized Experience: Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Participates on project teams in lead or support roles identifying and improving operational processes impacting service lines. Researches laws, regulations, and policies related to budget and fiscal administration. Utilizes data and reporting tools to develop health-planning service line strategies impacting the operations. Analyzes data trends in budget and fiscal expenditures supporting the preparation and execution of budget and committee meetings. Manages, leads, and administers project plans which include meeting objectives, assigning resources, giving briefings and presentations as project representative. Reviews and reports on service line policies in preparation for surveys, audits, and inspections in quality assurance, compliance, and procedures governed by internal and external organizations. OR,
• Education Substitution: To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree; or, two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or, LL.B. or J.D. OR,
• Combination: You must have a combination of specialized experience graduate-level education beyond 18 semester hours counting towards a master's degree.

PLEASE NOTE: THE RECENT GRADUATE DEGREE, IOR AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR GS-9 GRADE ARE 3 SEPARATE ITEMS THAT ALL MUST BE MET TO BE FOUND MINIMALLY QUALIFIED.

Volunteer Experience: 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.
Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, although slight physical effort may be required.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.

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.

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.

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.

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.