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Program Support Assistant - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program/CBOC

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System - Oklahoma City VAMC - Mental Health Service Line

Summary

This position works directly for the Mental Health Service line and supports the Behavior Health interdisciplinary program and various community-based programs that require a significant amount of independence and a moderate level or analytical and/or critical decision-making ability. This PSA position will provide support and technical advice on clinical Admin systems to the program manager/coordinator and may be associated with or assigned to support other programs within Mental Health.

Overview

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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$45,409 - $65,599 per year

GS - 6 (45,409 - 59,031) GS - 7 (50,460 - 65,599)

Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Promotion potential
7
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBSU-13033790-26-ARM
Control number
880715900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current, Federal employees (serving on a career/career-conditional appointment or covered under OPM's Interchange Agreement); Reinstatement/Transfer Eligible; Special Authorities; Peace Corps & AmericCorps Vista; Military Spouses; Preference eligible veterans or veterans separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three or more years of continuous active service. FIRST CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO CURRENT Oklahoma City VA Health Care System EMPLOYEES.

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Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

  • Interacts effectively with a wide range of people, including professionals, Veterans and their Families.
  • Coordinates care with all services in medical center; must possess a high degree of interpersonal skills, adaptability and flexibility to work closely with these services.
  • Assists providers changing/canceling clinics, ensuring patients are taken care of in a timely manner.
  • Communicates effectively with all services, patients and their families.
  • Coordinates procedures & follow-up care timely and accurately.
  • Works as a team member and as a team leader to insure changes are relayed to others appropriately.
  • Arranges ordered evaluations & treatment with other supporting disciplines within the medical center, scheduling these for timely completion and prevention of scheduling conflicts.
  • Collecting data, conducting analysis and reporting on program effectiveness and performance.
  • Performs comprehensive analysis and evaluation, taking into consideration factors such as cost effectiveness, attainment of project goals and objectives, and compliance with pertinent guidelines.
  • Conducts studies of efficiency and productivity and recommends changes or improvements in organization, staffing, work methods and procedures.
  • Initiates/coordinates repairs, maintenance, safety corrections; maintains supplies, bulletin boards and files.
  • Collects, compiles and analyzes data for Behavioral Health Services for use in developing, and participating in, process improvement projects that lead to more efficient, effective, value-added service.
  • Gathers productivity data using multiple databases, including Vista, VA Support Service Center (VSSC) and Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA), while identifying trends, creating quarterly program report cards and tracking employee workload. Presents this data to Mental Health leadership on a quarterly basis.
  • Documents program inconsistencies and/or anomalies and prepares management reports and recommendations to resolve issues (i.e., periodic SWOT analysis).
  • Analyzes, evaluates, and oversees clinic access management, systems redesign, and performance measurement (PM).
  • Monitors & assists with services' timely completion of Return to clinic orders, encounters and consults.
  • Monitors the overall clinical operations, analyzing clinic schedules and profiles to assure timely access to care for Veterans.
  • Actively listens to others and demonstrates understanding to those speaking with them.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level 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 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Telework eligible in accordance with agency policy (AD-HOC)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program/CBOC/PD14857A and PD14856A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Physical Requirements: The work is generally sedentary and requires being able to sit for prolonged periods of time, sometimes for long periods, walk, stoop, bend to file, and carry moderately heavy loads of supplies, books, equipment, etc., employee must be able to carry documents and sometimes equipment to other clinics on different floors of the facility. The position does require emotional stability to handle complex and/or demanding situations, challenging Veteran behaviors, multiple demands and a high volume of workflow. The position will also require a valid driver's license and ability to drive as needed to include the ability to positively complete government vehicle driver training requirements

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
  • 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 identification 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)
  • 40 words per minute typing speed required.
    Driver's License Requirement: Incumbent must possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license for this position. (Please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. You will be required to show your valid driver's license at the time of your interview.)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 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, 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, 08/25/2026.

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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6.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.

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

To qualify for the GS-6, applicant must meet the following criteria

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Detail-oriented professional able to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, manage multiple assignments, and apply strong communication skills in writing, editing, and organization. Possesses knowledge of severe mental illness, mental health care delivery systems, and program-supportive principles. Highly skilled in data collection, analysis, and applying analytical tools and statistical methods to develop and implement data-driven processes and recommendations. Capable of clearly presenting findings and assisting in educating Mental Health Admin staff, Program Managers, Administrative Officers, and leadership to support project implementation and quality improvement. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish rapport with staff, patients, and internal/external customers, and effectively communicate complex research data both verbally and in writing. Proficient in composition, grammar, formatting, and software such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Outlook, and VISTA; maintains strong customer service principles, teamwork, and strict confidentiality. 40 words per minute typing speed required.

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 years above high school.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

To qualify for the GS-7, applicant must meet the following criteria

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Detail-oriented professional able to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple assignments simultaneously with strong communication skills in writing, editing, and organizing information. Possesses knowledge of severe mental illness, mental health care delivery systems, and program-supporting methodologies. Highly skilled in data collection, analysis, and applying analytical tools and statistical methods to develop actionable processes and recommendations. Capable of presenting clear, well-defined findings and assisting in educating Mental Health Admin staff, Program Managers, Administrative Officers, and relevant leadership. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with staff, patients, and internal/external stakeholders while effectively communicating complex research data verbally and in writing. Proficient in written composition, grammar, formatting for publication, and software tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Creative Suite, Outlook, and VISTA; maintains confidentiality and adheres to customer service and team principles. 40 words per minute typing speed required.

You will be rated 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


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.

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

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

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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise; "To care for them who shall have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to be a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Interested in a career that offers true work-life balance? Look no further. The Oklahoma City VA Health Care Systemoffers a balance of professional & clinical complexity that stimulates growth yet, allows the professional an opportunity to enjoy life outside of work. If interested in a career that offers an integrated patient-centered approach while providing compassionate & state-of-the-art care to Veterans, we welcome you to apply.

The VA is in Oklahoma City, which offers a vibrant arts culture, rich historical influences and amenities of an urban city. Not many urban areas can claim as much outdoor diversity with more than 250 days of sunshine each year, many activities are year-round. OKC offers the perfect mix of social vibe, modern businesses and family life making it an ideal location to start a career, raise a family, or ease into retirement.

The VA offers a teaching hospital, state-of-the-art technology, education & research, making this hospital an ideal career choice for clinical and administrative professionals. The 192-bed facility serves a population of 81,000 having numerous specialized programs in addition to comprehensive health care.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
719-227-4600
Email
V19USAJOBS@VA.GOV
Address
VA Oklahoma City Health Care System
921 Northeast 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
US

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