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Program Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

This Social Work & Community Based Service (SW&CBS) Program Support Assistant (PSA) position is located within Social Work and Community Based Service and is supervised by the Administrative Officer. The primary purpose and responsibilities of this position are to provide expert technical program support and administrative clerical duties to the various programs with-in the service and Main Social Work Office operations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$50,087 - $65,113 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
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
CBSR-13087934-27-DF
Control number
888676000

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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MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIESTechnical Program Duties: 65%

  • Under general supervision, the Program Support Assistant (PSA) is responsible for the submission of all statistical and administrative reports or data from their designated assignment area with the aforementioned programs. This may include data research and entry, program reports, patient lists, accounting and budgetary duties and ongoing responsibility for projects. problems. or requirements that arise within their designated work site. The work will be performed in a timely, professional and courteous manner to sustain quality patient care and customer satisfaction.
  • Responsible to operate all necessary applications within FBCS, CPRS and VistA (including but not limited to VistA FEE, Lodging, Admissions, AOD, Caregiver, TCM, MFH and Eligibility Computer Systems as well as ability to work with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Power Point, SharePoint and Excel Spreadsheets).
  • Will assess the dimension, consequences, and impact of the assigned work and thus prioritize, collect, and assemble the necessary facts, resolving conflicts, and performs these functions independently. Creativity in the development of procedures where no guidelines exist may be necessary; will identify these irregularities in the course of the work and reconcile those problems .
  • Educate Veterans and family members of Veterans on benefits, eligibilities alternative lodging and other available programs with in the Service. Issue discount letters for non-eligible or families, meal vouchers as appropriate by policy.
  • Monitor and ensure external supporting services goals are met i.e. dietary, housekeeping, logistics, respiratory and voluntary to complement our systems or services.
  • Resolve problems with office equipment malfunctions, obtaining JRM, Engineering, copier/fax technician, or Facilities Management support as indicated.
  • Assigned as an authorized user of the Government Purchase Card for small item purchasing in their designated site and section. As an authorized user of this card the incumbent is responsible for meeting the standards for documentation and monthly reconciliation of the purchase cards in accordance with all rules and regulations.
  • Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) liaison, responsible for systems administration within the service and will provide guidance and assistance to clinical staff within the service. Conduct training for new employees as to the administrative requirements of their jobs in the program, i.e., function, documentation, clinic encounters. etc.
Customer Services: 10%
  • Works with a patient population ranging from age 18 through senior adults (age 65 and over) and must be aware of, and respond appropriately to the physical, social, and psychological differences among these groups.
  • Communicate effectively with patients, patient's family or caregiver, clinical staff, and hotel contractors in person or by telephone in order to assess the Veteran's needs.
  • Take messages; track call-ins/call-off by other staff members, and notify the appropriate supervisor, they will assess Veterans' needs, assist with the Veteran's situation or redistribute to the appropriate manager, social worker, department, patient advocate, etc.
  • Handle consult requests expeditiously or assign to the respective social worker as they are received in the service and log them into the tracker.
  • Working with the clinical unit/providers, the PSA will ensure Veterans are screened and approved appropriately prior to social services being rendered.
Files, Correspondences and Records Management 25%
  • Obtain, organize, file and retrieve reports, correspondence, and numerical data for use in preparing status reports, briefings, and presentations i.e. daily AOD log, gain and losses sheets, lodging lists and admission reports, medical records etc. in accordance with all Federal, VA and local policy and guidance.
  • Responsible for the administrative handling of all records, forms and documents, retrieval and dissemination of data relating for the programs listed above.
  • Type, edit, maintain current copies of records or forms relating to the program such as letters, memos, reports and summaries, surveys, program brochures, letters of introduction, and other types of written communications.
  • Compose correspondence; prepare agendas and meeting minutes as indicated to assist clinical functions of as the need arises.
  • Print daily roster of Veterans when necessary, maintain a weekly list of scheduled CNH Veteran VA medical center appointments and arrange travel consults to meet the appointments.
  • The PSA will perform other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD938910
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
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: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
  • 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)
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, 10/22/2026.

  • 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
    • Providing administrative support to a team, including but not limited to time keeping, receiving and screening phone calls, filing, taking minutes, arranging travel, maintaining appointment calendars, coordinating meetings, conference calls, and ordering supplies.
    • Using various Microsoft Office programs, database programs and office equipment.
    • Assisting in departmental problem solving and planning alternative solutions.
    • Preparing reports, assisting in planning, reviewing and reporting data, and statistical results.
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 sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, or carrying of light items (medical records, computing devices, manuals, papers, books, small parts). The work requires manual dexterity for computer data entry, office machine operation and filing. However, in general, the work does not require unusual physical demands. The work does require emotional stability to resolve crisis situations.

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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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.

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 those who 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 become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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

Agency contact information

Deonte Flowers
Phone
2163080656
Email
Deonte.Flowers@va.gov
Address
Ann Arbor VA Medical Center
2215 Fuller Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
US

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