Program Analyst (TCF Trainee) - Albany, NY - Overview Summary The TCF is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field, individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. Selectee will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. The TCF program is a comprehensive two-year program designed to train candidates for positions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This program provides the foundation for developing trainees from entry level to full performance level. Training includes planned training, rotational assignments, and on-the-job work experiences. TCF Trainee must sign a Mobility Agreement and a Continued Service Agreement prior to being admitted into the program. Mobility Agreement - all TCF Trainees are required to sign a mobility agreement. This involves prior agreement to accept VA reassignment to another facility that may require the services of the trainee if the facility that has completed the training does not have an opening for the trainee. Continued Service Agreement - Requires a minimum of 3 years service to the VA after successful completion of the training program (in addition to 2 years as a trainee). Voluntarily leaving VHA prior to the completion of the two year training program requires repayment of training/travel, not to exceed $10,000. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst (TCF Trainee)/06777O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Duties This position is located within the Chief of Staff's Office of the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY. The primary purpose of the position is to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care by integrating clinical and information processes necessary to achieve successful adoption and application of new technologies. Health Informatics work is health oriented in nature, and required knowledge and skills gained from education, on the job training, and developmental assignments, and/or experience in a health science or allied scientific field, such as health informatics. Health Informatics is a discipline at the intersection of clinical health care, information science, and computer science, that designs and delivers information to improve clinical care, individual and public health care, and biomedical research. Health Informatics optimizes the usability, acquisition and processing of health-related information, using resources and tools that include people and processes; information and knowledge; algorithms and data; hardware and software. Major duties include, but are not limited to: - Participates with senior analysts in educating employees on methods and means to make health care operations more effective and efficient. - Coordinates with the Health Information Service to assess data to identify, quantify, and resolve organizational problems. - Developing tools and training guides for the user and participating in delivering training and educational programs. - Analyzes data to assess treatment impacts and provides findings and recommendations for a variety of uses by senior specialists. - Collecting and providing feedback on effectiveness on training and suggesting improvements. - $41,770 $80,365 Job Details Application Open Date 3/27/2018 Application Close Date 4/10/2018 Organization Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Who May Apply None Status None - VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at - . Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the - site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the - document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an - . - Qualifications - To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/10/2018. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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. 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: - Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performing duties such as, utilizing computer tools to manage project schedules and completion, consulting with leadership to identify needs and develop information products to meet those needs, designing analytical reports, translating data into meaningful management information, using relational databases and consulting with staff to initiate data projects. t. OR, - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one (1) full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (transcripts required). t. 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 baccalaureate. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: - Analysis and Problem Solving - Clinical Data Collection/Documentation - Critical Thinking - Data Systems 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: - Physical Requirements: There are no special physical requirements for this position. The work is primarily performed while sitting for extended periods of time and requires the use of computer devices for up to four (4) hours at a time. Employees may carry light items such as books, instruments, lap tops and other similar materials. - Benefits - How To Apply - All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/10/2018 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10172165. - To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. - Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.