Program Applications Specialist

The Program Applications Specialist serves as the integrator that coordinates the business process and software functions. The primary functions of this position ensures the business process is in place to support the implementation of new and updated information technology systems.

The incumbent serves as the functional expert for matters relating to the Patient Information Management System (PIMS) core package. Additionally the incumbent provides training on other service packages such as Pharmacy Radiology Laboratory Scheduling Clinic Management and Health Summary as they relate to the HAS process.

Major Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for the coordination and training for service and facility staff in business and functional areas for various information technology VISTA packages.
• Provides training and troubleshooting for clinical and administrative staff in business processes and associated supporting software.
• Responsible for assuring that all information technology equipment with the service is operational and functions and coordinates with OI&T equipment replacement/installation with all other services.
• Responsible for designating and preparing data management analyses special studies and reports for use by top management for budget preparation workload projections and quality assurance and utilization reviews.
• Obtains interprets and analyzes information from a variety of sources in order to investigate processes/procedures and validate results through the Corporate Data Warehouse VISTA VSSC Pyramid Analytics ARC and/or PC based systems (i.e. Excel Access).
• Responsible for overall planning coordination implementation management and evaluation of clinical applications of Vetlink within the HWWVAMC with particular emphasis on improving care and safety of veterans.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for Clinic Profile Management ensuring oversight of clinic profile management process at the VAMC.

Work Schedule: FT 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Applications Specialist/PD190230
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

• 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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: Regular and recurring work is mostly sedentary involving sitting at a desk although the position requires the ability to move from one geographic location of the facility to another. The incumbent works with a computer screen and keyboard. Some physical effort such as standing walking bending or prolonged sitting may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to walking to outlying areas. The work places no special physical demands on the employee.
• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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 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.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/19/2026.

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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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 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.

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 level you must meet one of the following:

• Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Applications Specialist.
  • Qualifying specialized experience includes but is not limited to utilizing qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze and measure the effectiveness efficiency and productivity of administrative and technical programs. This experience also involves retrieving tracking and trending data necessary for in-depth analysis and reporting; developing and refining information for comprehensive reports that address key elements such as cost analysis work measurement trend analysis efficiency effectiveness productivity and evaluating the achievement of program operational goals and objectives. Additionally it requires applying user acceptance testing principles methods and approaches to test debug and maintain software applications ensuring they meet defined functional requirements.

OR

• Education: Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

• Combination: equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify a copy of your transcript is required.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at Experience:

• Experience with VA Software packages clinic profiles and data analysis.
• Knowledge of VistA CPRS and other clinical applications.
• Knowledge of Scheduling and Clinic Management such as clinic profiles and clinic modifications.