About this role
Job SummaryAs Program Support Assistant/Health Benefits Assistant (PSA/HBA) for Business Administration Service (BAS) at the VA Central California Healthcare System (VACCHCS), the incumbent provides an elevated level of administrative and data support to the facility to include the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-4 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of varied functions of computer spreadsheets, database computer applications, etc., to produce and maintain a wide variety of documents. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-04 level. Have 2 years above high school of education. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-04 level.To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-04. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of varied functions of computer spreadsheets, database computer applications, etc., to produce and maintain a wide variety of documents. Knowledge of the registration process, entering a means test/co-pay test, updating demographics, and admissions. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. Have 4 years above high school of education. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of varied functions of computer spreadsheets, database computer applications, etc., to produce and maintain a wide variety of documents. Knowledge of the registration process, entering a means test/co-pay test, updating demographics, and admissions. Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies, guidelines and procedures is required. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. 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. 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 DutiesMAJOR DUTIES: Responsible to ensure accurate, timely and consistent information is entered into the appropriate database. Incumbent (s) assist in establishing in-depth training and work with the Medical Administration Specialist(s) (MSA) Trainer to ensure BAS and other identified VACCHCS staff are trained on all eligibility related information. Responsible for verifying eligibility/entitlement for healthcare benefits for all applicants using various methods including income assessments, military discharge documents, computer hospital inquiry (HINQ), Veterans Information Solution (VIS), and other means such as communications with VA Regional Office or VA Records Processing Centers. The incumbent must take the information provided by the Veteran and assess what services the Veteran is eligible for, and advise the Veteran whether he/she is eligible or not. If a Veteran is not eligible, the Incumbent advises the Veteran of options that may be available to become eligible such as filing for service connection, filing for a hardship, etc., Assist the Public Affairs Office as well as other services at VACCHCS with community activities such as health fairs, Homeless Veterans Stand Downs, and Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA). This may require staff to work outside the normal business hours to include weekends. Staff will be compensated by either compensation time or overtime for this work. 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 8:00am -4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD00262A, PD00261A, and PD00260A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou 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 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.