Health System Specialist (Innovation Specialist)

Not Required

Duties

Major Duties: Leads Innovation Development Programs/Develops Strategic Plans at the Local and National Level (60%) Incumbent works with relevant clinical and administrative chiefs and staff members to develop and share innovation-driven strategic plans for programs, services, and/or the facility. Incumbent's managerial duties and responsibilities involve decisions which have a direct and substantial effect on the organization and its programs. These include, but are not limited to, decisions affecting the nature, scope, quality, and emphasis on the patient care programs and activities. Identifies and champions opportunities for innovation, in collaboration with local and national internal and external stakeholders. Supports developing a national-level strategy for innovation, including helping to lead and stand-up programs, processes, policies, and infrastructure to support innovation across the VA. Develops the local organizational vision that integrates the VHA Innovators Network and the VHA Innovation Ecosystem program goals, strategic priorities, and core values. Creates a facility-level Innovation program segment that encourages creative thinking, innovation, collaboration, and transparency. Identifies opportunities to improve service and program performance. Executes open dialogue across organizational lines both within the FVACHCS and with stakeholders across the VA to maximize opinion diversity and input from a wide range of stakeholders. Executes innovation strategies through collaboration with external stakeholders outside of both FVACHCS and VA more broadly. Innovation Competency Building Training, Program, and Events (15%) Develops and executes training activities to VA employees at the facility and national level surrounding innovation-related competencies, such as design thinking, the Three Box Solution, entrepreneurship, Human Centered Design, and innovation value creation. Innovation Project Management and Collaboration Across Sites (15%) Researches, identifies, and implements innovation projects identified as best practices from other sites or within their site. Reviews projects for value and analyzes potential for impact based on local needs, issues, and capacity for successful implementation. Determines the suitability of outside solutions or best practices appropriate for local implementation based on analyses of applicability and probability for success and recommends implementation strategies to the FVACHCS and VISN leadership. VISN, VHA, VACO, and VA/DoD Joint Planning (10%) Incumbent will engage with regional, national, and other agency partners on as-needed tasks, program and policy development, and formal planning processes. May serve as a Health Care System liaison to the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) and VA Headquarters staff for planning initiatives. Represents FVACHCS on key VISN councils, national committees, and ad hoc assignments. Responds to inquiries for information as necessary on a variety of special interest topics. Adheres to timeframes and communicates with VISN and VACO staff to ensure a smooth transfer of information. Keeps informed of key areas of VISN and VACO interests and briefs top management accordingly. The incumbent works as a member of a small staff of planners and analysts who have responsibility for accomplishing multiple projects related to aforementioned functions. The incumbent must analyze situations and develop plans to allow the organization to accomplish various objectives specific to a given situation (situations may involve opportunities, risks, national VA initiatives, etc.). The incumbent must develop written planning documents, prepare, and deliver presentations to multiple groups, conduct sophisticated analyses which may include statistical modeling and financial assessments, and lead project groups that may be very large and multidisciplinary in nature. The nature of the projects will often require short turnarounds and may require development of extensive documents that will be sent forward to VISN, VHA Innovation Ecosystem, and VHA Central Office staff for assessment and support. The incumbent is a confident communicator, with the regular requirement to build partnerships with and brief executive leadership and other internal, external, and community stakeholders. Performs other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist (Innovation Specialist)/PD084410 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Requirements

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. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements including the Individual Occupational and specialized experience requirements by the closing date of this announcement,06/23/2026 .Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into a particular job series. This requirement cannot be waived. For the Health Systems Specialist position, applicants must possess education and/or experience that is directly related to the work of the position. Applicants must meet at least ONE of the following Individual Occupational Requirements for to be eligible for consideration. IOR Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Formal education in an occupation related major field of study, such as business or public administration, with coursework in health care administration (Hospital Administration, Public Health Administration, Business or Public Administration). NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts (official or unofficial). Applicable education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. OR, IOR Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. OR, IOR Special Provision for In-Service Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. NOTE: Applicants may meet the IOR based on a combination of education and experience, as outlined above. In addition to meeting the IOR requirement, applicants must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: participating in and facilitating transformative quality, safety, effectiveness, and efficiency improvement efforts impacting patient care delivery systems and functions throughout a medical center; organizing, directing, and coordinating group activities in a timely and effective manner; mining data to identify root causes of a performance issue; developing statistical models to measure performance improvement actions; developing statistical, graphical, and narrative reports, and communicating these studies to medical center leadership, service chiefs, supervisors, and other staff. Analyzing and developing major administrative aspects of mission-oriented programs; evaluating the effectiveness of programs conducted throughout a medical facility; identifying and developing ways to implement program goals and objectives and resolve problems; and developing administrative regulations or guidelines for the conduct of program operations or new criteria for measuring program accomplishments. 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: Duties may require extensive walking to meet with the facility managers and other clinic personnel. Trips to satellite outpatient clinics are sometimes necessary and will involve transportation via automotive vehicle (and the possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Driver's License). The work performed is of a precise nature requiring long periods of concentration that is often interrupted. 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/.

Other 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/.