Summary The primary role of the incumbent is to improve processes and performance of VHA healthcare delivery systems. The role is highly visible and requires expert level knowledge in various tools in improvement, change management, and project management. The incumbent is responsible for managing multiple high-level projects and facilitating improvement within VHA. Expert knowledge of improvement methodologies are essential for success. Responsibilities This announcement will close on 12/23/2024. The first 50 applications received will receive first consideration. Applications that are submitted after the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. Major duties include but are not limited to: Conduct studies and organizational analyses of diverse functions and work processes at multiple medical centers. Provide National VHA management and leadership consultative guidance to promote a culture of continuous process improvement and promote a highly reliable healthcare delivery system. Responsible for planning and conducting analytical studies of management functions in support of system improvements driving Veteran care. Actively participate in National, VISN and HCS efforts to create a culture of quality, safety, effectiveness and efficiency by leveraging continuous process improvement. Responsible for leading, participating in and organizing National, VISN, and Heath Care System (HCS) quality and performance improvement efforts. Responsible for conducting analysis to address complex problems in healthcare quality, safety, effectiveness and efficiency. Develop data gathering strategies and work with other service, subject matter experts and work teams to obtain the necessary process information. Assist leadership and improvement teams to understand the principles of sustainment and spread of efforts directed at improving quality, safety, effectiveness and efficiency. Provide instruction to others on quality improvement principles and SAIL tools through formal classroom instruction or small group mentoring, in person and virtually. Ability to organize, plan, meet deadlines, maintain excellent records, and follow through on actions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Available (applicant is required on site 50% of work schedule per pay period) Virtual: The employee may work at a VA facility or other VA-leased space other than the facility that is hiring the employee) and is authorized for telework up to 50%. Position Description/PD#: Management & Program Analyst/PD66035A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/23/2024. 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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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: GS-13 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Expert knowledge of process improvement methodologies or quality management, with focus on healthcare systems. Expert understanding of VHA organizational structure, High Reliability Organization (HRO) and/or Change Management within the National, VISN, or VHA Medical Center Setting. Extensive experience facilitating, developing, monitoring and improving quality programs and/or analyzing quality initiatives and processes at the National, VISN, or VHA Medical Center setting. Selective Placement Factors: Mastery of a wide range of qualitative and/or qualitative methods, including continuous process improvement, Lean Six Sigma, or Agile for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness in the VISN or VHA Medical Facility setting. Expert knowledge of assessment and improvement of program effectiveness, progress toward program goal attainment and effectiveness of complex management systems. Comprehensive knowledge of quality measurement, data management, and project management. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Analytical Thinking Customer Service Flexibility Interpersonal Skills 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Some work may require extended periods of walking, standing, bending, climbing, or driving a motor vehicle in activities such as site visits or inspections to, commercial, educational, medical or other establishments. The work does not require any special physical effort. 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 This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.