About this role
Job SummaryThe position of Program Support Assistant is located within the Medical Foster Horne (MFH) Program and Community Residential Care (CRC) Program within Social Work Service. MFH and CRC are specialized programs which provide interdisciplinary health care to Veterans who are unable to live independently, but prefer an assisted living facility or a home like setting for their long-term care. The incumbent works closely with the Home-Based Primary Care Interdisciplinary Treatment Team.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/25/2026. 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-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience with general office duties such as arranging meetings, providing administrative support to a team, composing correspondence, preparation and maintenance of personnel forms. Experience with setting goals and priorities within the organization, administrative policy/procedures, and recurring reports. Experience performing a variety of computerized office duties using electronic mail, desktop publishing, calendar, and several different database programs such as Microsoft Office. Experience with maintaining the confidentiality and security of health information in compliance with relevant privacy laws and regulations. Experience with managing procurement procedures to acquire office goods and services, reconciling accounts, and facilitating fund transfers. Experience managing timekeeping and attendance records. Have a high degree of skill in oral and written communications. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed four (4) years of education above high school level in any field which high school graduation or the equivalent is a pre-requisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university. Note: Transcripts are required. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the second year of first 60 semester hours and specialized experience which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. Note: Transcripts are required.. 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/.
Major DutiesDuties of this position include but are not limited to: The Program Support Assistant acts as liaison between patients and medical center staff, serving as consumer advocate. The Program Support Assistant accepts telephone calls from patients/caregivers, MFH staff in the field, other VA staff, and/or community agency staff, regarding program inquiries, patient care concerns, etc. He/she obtains as much information as possible, provides information and resolves problems independently when possible, prioritizes, and makes decisions regarding caller referral based on specific caller needs. The incumbent ensures timely clinical response to patients/callers that Potentially have an emergent or urgent care need through prompt identification of the problem and appropriate clinical referral. Interacts with customers, family members, visitors and co-workers in a courteous, tactful, helpful manner, exercising mature judgment and diplomacy. Composes correspondence as indicated to assist with clinical functions of MFH staff. Composes reports and meeting minutes as directed by MFH Program Coordinator. Uses computer programs to type all recurring correspondence, minutes, and reports, maintaining computer files easily accessible by other team members. He/she is the primary purchase card holder and fund control clerk for the program. As the fund control clerk and purchase card holder, the incumbent must have knowledge of and demonstrate the ability to perform duties related to fiscal responsibilities concerning the purchase card, ordering merchandise, shipping and receiving, inventory, advanced budgeting, contracting, vendors, entering data and reconciling. Makes and tracks all purchases by frequent communication with vendors, contractors and program coordinator and Fiscal Service. These, along with additional fiscal duties as assigned must be fulfilled by an individual who is detailed, accurate and accountable. Corrects errors in team data entries of workload (telephone and visit) encounters. He/she schedules the patient in the program. Obtains hard copy patient records from VA Health information Management Section, or from the private sector as requested by home care staff, prints assessments and treatment plans for MFH team treatment planning meetings, and maintains accessible hard copy files of the assessments and treatment plans for use in case of computer failure. The Program Support Assistant keeps up-to-date with regulation that concerns eligibility for care and control of medical records. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Subject to change based on the needs of the Agency. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD089440 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.RequirementsYou 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 is primary sedentary, but does require some walking, standing, carrying paper items, books, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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.