Program Support Assistant (OA)

The Program Support Assistant acts as liaison between patients and medical center staff. The position works independently requiring minimal supervision. He or she serves as the primary contact and process expert regarding administrative items related to the assigned subspeciality clinic.

Major duties of the Program Support Assistant (OA) include but are not limited to:

• Assists with the orientation of new staff to subspeciality clinic.
• Performs work involving the collection compilation and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the services operation.
• Reviews of error reports for accurate encounter documentation and transmission of data. Accepts and dispositions of any telephone calls from patients caregivers other VA staff and/or community agency staff regarding program inquiries patient care concerns etc.
• Handles all vendor scheduling for the assigned subspeciality clinic.
• Develops and maintains data reports using Excel PowerPoint and Software Computer Packages to create and compile weekly monthly quarterly and annual reports.
• Corrects errors in team data entries of workload (telephone and visit) encounters for the assigned subspecialty clinic.
• Responsible for accumulating information data analysis and planning necessary for administrative recommendations and/or decisions to implement efficient service management and resolution of service problems.
• Responsible for recommendations having policy-making implications and implementation of decisions following approval of Department of Surgical Services.
• Interacts daily with Surgical Service staff patients and their families other VA staff and people outside the VAMC ranging from other government agencies to the public.
• Explains services provided by the assigned subspeciality clinics and other programs within the VAMC to inquire individuals.
• Refer to and coordinate with other VAMC programs when appropriate. Answers the telephone arranges and compiles agendas attends and records meeting proceedings.
• Keeps schedules and timelines of needed visits from various parties (Coordinator Fire and Safety Officer etc) as well as ensures that required training sessions are performed and documented in a timely manner.
• Processes incoming and outgoing materials such as correspondence reports memoranda and other forms of written communication.
• Designs delegates and monitors office procedures that support patient care thus freeing the clinical providers as much as possible to provide direct patient care.
• Obtains organizes files and retrieves reports correspondences and numerical data for use in preparing status reports briefings and presentations. Identifies and recommends ways of eliminating consolidating simplifying or improving procedures and processes.
• Composes reports and meeting minutes as directed by the assigned subspeciality clinic uses computer programs to type all recurring correspondence minutes reports and maintain computer files easily accessible by other team members.
• Advises the supervisor of important office issues arising during the supervisors absence and brings significant items in reports files and correspondence to the supervisors attention.
• Serves as recording liaison for the assigned subspeciality clinic staff and team meetings with responsibility for distribution of minutes.
• Obtains as much information as possible during telephone inquiries provides information and resolves problems independently when possible. The incumbent will be able to assess the situation problem solve and direct the caller to the appropriate personnel and/or handle the caller issues as autonomously as possible.
• The incumbent ensures timely clinical response to patients/callers that potentially have an emergent or urgent care need through prompt identification of the problem and appropriate clinical referral.
• Provides general office supply and equipment support services such as obtaining office supplies and services procuring or justifying the full range of office services. Coordinates meetings and/or schedules conferences.
• Provides clerical services such as maintaining multiple calendars and recording appointments arranging for meetings and small conference administrative details or following up on action items with appropriate staff members independently.
• Attend meetings notes commitments made inform staff of commitments and follows up.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-04:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (OA)/PD50544A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): 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.
• 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 ( 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 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 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 09/08/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: 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 related to retrieving statistics preparing reports and analyzing data. Operating a personal computer Office equipment and various software packages to produce typed correspondence and reports quickly and Electronic Medical record word Power Point Outlook Excel and Access). Producing and updating a wide range of documents that require complex formats such as graphics of tables with text to edit and reformat electronic drafts. Updating or revising existing databases or spreadsheets requiring the use of advanced software functions to enhance services programming. Employing knowledge of grammar spelling punctuation and required format to prepare and proofread correspondence. Demonstrating a high degree of dependability multitasking flexibility and accountability. Also demonstrating an excellent telephone customer service and interpersonal skills appropriate to dealing with Veterans families Caregivers approved vendors. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title duties month & year starting and ending dates AND hours worked per week. OR
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 full years above high school or equivalent degree in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite . This education was obtained in an accredited business secretarial or technical school junior college college or university. If you are qualifying on education transcripts are required. OR
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed post high school education as described above that demonstrates my ability to perform the duties of this position. For the GS-06 only education in excess of 60 semester hours (2 years) is creditable. If you qualify by a combination your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts are required.

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

Required Experience:

Junior IC