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Program Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System

Summary

The incumbent functions as a Program Support Assistant (PSA) within the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Service Line. The primary duties consist of supporting the Home and Community Based Care (H&CBC) programs. The incumbent will assist GEC Leadership, Program Director/Coordinator, and H&CBC Nurse Manager and Associate Chief of Nursing Services (ACNS) with the responsibility of carrying out assigned duties related to the maintenance of H&CBC programs.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/23/2026 to 02/27/2026
Salary
$45,630 to - $59,318 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Locations
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Corpus Christi, TX
Harlingen, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position. Incumbent normally performs work at a desk but must be able to get to other geographic locations within the Medical Center.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CAZM-12893842-26-AO
Control number
858501100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

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Duties

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The incumbent will participate actively in the daily operations of H&CBC programs while maintaining patient confidentiality. The incumbent tracks accounts for each provider covered under H&CBC programs, adjust allocations based on the patient's discharge or death, and adjust overall budget projections to reflect these changes. Also, he/she keeps track of obligated funds for each individual account so that the appropriate community provider can be contacted if delinquent in billing this VA Medical Center for care and services rendered. When special pay considerations are requested, incumbent will seek consultation from GEC Leadership, Program Director/Coordinator, and H&CBC Nurse Manager and ACNS and provide input as appropriate toward the resolution of the request.

The incumbent is responsible for gathering/maintaining expenses for H&CBC programs. The incumbent also provides management with data that becomes the basis for budget preparation for the next fiscal year in relation to H&CBC programs. He/she is further charged with promoting timeliness of processing invoices from community providers, assist with resolving billing conflicts, and investigation of late or delayed reimbursements. Performs office automation support using multiple automated programs and software such as databases, spreadsheets, and graphics in support of the administrative and clerical work. Performs ADPAC and timekeeping duties. The position requires exercise independent judgment, so procedures are accurately followed to ensure accurate services.

Direct Program Services/Customer Service
The PSA will be knowledgeable of eligibility criteria, insurance, and funding for H&CBC programs and answer general questions from community providers, veterans, family members, and VA staff regarding the programs.
He/she is serves as subject matter expert regarding administrative process for referrals, community providers, and patient complaints. Participates and
provides input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings, performing administrative follow up actions. The incumbent
resolves provider issues, questions, or concerns to ensure ongoing patient and provider satisfaction, efficient communication, and problem resolution
related to Care Coordination referrals.

The incumbent will communicate clear and accurate information with outside hospitals, community providers, VA staff, veterans, and their families.

The incumbent will demonstrate a professional and courteous attitude in dealing with customers including visitors, providers, veteran service representatives, veterans, and family members.

The incumbent will coordinate inspection/oversight schedule, inspection/oversight correspondence, and compile inspection results for submission to management.

The incumbent will enter data and ensure reporting requirements are met using web- based national, VISN, and Local reporting software.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am -4:30pm
Telework: AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable). Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD00449A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. A pre-placement physical examination is not required for this position.
  • 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 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 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 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 the closing date of this announcement, 02/27/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Specialized experience includes: knowledge of regulations and procedures governing the placement of patients in the Home and Community Based Care programs, knowledge of elements that constitute the various levels of care within the Home and Community Based programs, communication skills, preparation of data for reports, knowledge basic medical terminology, experience using Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel, to create and maintain spreadsheets for inspections, creation of monthly billing, workload, and expenditures.
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/.

Preferred Experience:
Previous Program Support Assistant or Medical Support Assistant experience.
Previous experience working in a team environment.
Previous experience with time management/ meeting deadlines.
Ability to research and problem solve independently Computer Skills: Microsoft Excel, HSRM, RefDoc, CTM, Microsoft OneNote, CPRS.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

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.

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 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/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

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