Summary The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Program Support Assistant (Credentialing Specialist). This position is assigned to the Credentialing and Privileging (C&P) Office, which is under the Chief of Staff Service and is responsible for providing administrative and technical direction and support to the credentialing operations. The Credentialing Specialist is aligned to and supervised by the C&P Manager. Responsibilities The Credentialing and Privileging Program Office supports all divisions of the VAMC to include support of the credentialing and privileging specialist and the Medical Staff membership, which is comprised of physicians, dentists, optometrists, psychologists, audiologists, and physician extenders including full-time, part-time, temporary, intermittent, contract, without compensation (WOC), fee basis and telehealth. Support includes Non-Licensed Independent Practitioners (Non-LIPs), such as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists, etc. The functions of the Credentialing and Privileging Program Office are critical to accreditation and for assuring safe patient care provided by the VAMC. The Program Support Assistant (Credentialing Specialist) serves as subject matter expert (SME) in the field of credentialing using significant judgement to inform leadership and appropriate administrative staff of program changes, new regulatory requirements, policies and procedures or issues and concerns pertaining to the credentialing program. Major Duties: Ensures compliance with guidelines of the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Joint Commission (TJC), Office of Inspector General, (OIG), Government Accountability Office (GAO) and other internal or external reviewers as appropriate. Responsible for collecting relevant data and the decision-making process to ensure that qualified health care professionals are providing appropriate care in appropriate settings. Responsible for the audit of all required credentials for authenticity and veracity in accordance with TJC standards and VHA policies and procedures. This includes the analysis and documentation of responses, identification of variances, and the resolution of discrepancies and problems. Receives and reviews correspondence and communications for the credentials function and determines which items require immediate attention and which are confidential in nature. Receives and reviews VetPro reports detecting problem areas requiring further investigation. Researches reference materials, regulations, and standards to identify appropriate action necessary to correct the problem. Manages provider applications (initial) for Non-LIPs credentialing within the VAMC. Upon receipt of individual credentials' files for review, ensures primary source verification to include, but not limited to, state licenses, certifications, and required certifications. Primary source verification includes, but may not be limited to, the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), state licensing agencies, specialty certification boards, universities, DoD and healthcare facilities and assist with verification of LIP applications. Assures application packages and other documents meet technical requirements per specialty of provider and assures application folder and database account (VetPro or other internal databases and spreadsheets) meet technical requirements. Provides oversight to application process; analyzes exceptions and deviations in expected application process; determines course of action and makes recommendations. Conducts final appointment into the VetPro database, after thoroughly researching, analyzing and validating all data, information, documents and signature authorities. Develops and provides routine and special reports as requested. Maintains local VAMC requirement files and records pertaining to the credentialing process. Maintains confidentiality of information in accordance with the Privacy Act in releasing information. Manages, administers and assures accuracy, security and maintenance of operations of database systems. Provides quality control checks on data. Meets the needs of customers, while supporting VA missions and consistently communicates and treats internal and external customers in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Holds the credit card and is responsible for maintaining records, reconciling monthly charge statements and verifying legitimacy of requests for NPDB Single and CQ enrollments/ renewals, licensure verification, National Student Clearing House, Work Number and certifications. Responsible for compliance with all purchase card requirements including reconciling transactions and resolving discrepancies with Fiscal Service and is an authorized user of the Government Purchase Card. Responsible for meeting the standards for documentation and reconciliation of the purchase cards as set forth in Financial Policy, Charge Card Program, Volume XVI, Chapters 1A, 1B and 1C. Performs other credentialing duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Telework may be considered after orientation period completed. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (Credentialing Specialist)/PD99868A 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, 01/26/2024. 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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6 grade level. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-6, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Collecting, analyzing and validating data; preparing correspondence and reports; purchase card training/experience; knowledge of medical specialties; ability to communicate to leadership and appropriate administrative staff of credentialing program changes, new regulatory requirements, policies and procedures or issues and concerns pertaining to the credentialing program; managing provider applications; managing and reviewing database reports detecting problem areas requiring further investigation; researching reference materials, regulations, and standards to identify appropriate action necessary to correct the problem; training/experience with primary source verification; assure data entry is complete and accurate, understanding of Joint Commission; knowledge of medical specialties. proficient computer skills and utilizing automated software (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.);ability to multi-task with good time management skills; excellent customer service skills. Note: Must be demonstrated in your resume. 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 mostly sedentary. Occasionally, light physical effort may be required, such as that involved with walking, stair climbing, and carrying of light office items. The work is performed in an office setting which require normal safety precautions typical for offices and meeting rooms. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. 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. Additional Information 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. 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 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/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.