Summary
The position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the VA Medical Center (VAMC) Salt Lake City, Utah in the Specialty Care Service. The Program Specialist serves as the service-level liaison and advisor on equipment and product acquisition and equipment/instrumentation service contracts for a wide variety of items to include specialized services
Duties
Duties include but not limited to: As the Program Specialist, incumbent will monitor and make recommendations to replace end of life equipment. Reviews requests for supplies from customers and provides supporting documentation as necessary. Contacts vendors to attain quotes for items to be requested. Validates quotes for accuracy consulting the requesting subject matter experts when necessary. Using the Electronic Equipment Request (EER) portal, will enter all equipment requests, track progress of the acquisition, ensure delivery, and ensure timely readiness of acquisitions for the Specialty Care service. Researches and prepares documentation of salient characteristics, market research, sole source requirements, like or exact requirements, item descriptions, justification, reusable medical equipment (RME) cleaning instructions, Instructions for Use (IFU), and technical specifications. The incumbent will collaborate with the vendors, Engineering and IRM to determine the need for and completion of Form 6550 if access to the VA network is required. The Program Specialist will collaborate with facility subject matter experts to determine if requested equipment is laser, imaging, or x-ray equipment. Incumbent monitors and enters new equipment into the Strategic Equipment Planning Guide (SEPG) to enable entry into the EER. Once the data has been entered and uploaded into the EER, and the request has been approved, the incumbent will work with the Logistics service to clarify any information needed to successfully send instrumentation, scope, accessory, supply and equipment requests to Contracting. Upon delivery of requested items, the Program Specialist ensures timely activation of new equipment and receiving of all other acquisitions. Incumbent will serve as the liaison between the Specialty Care and Logistics services. Establishes, expedites, and reviews consolidation of all Specialty Care service procurement packages, including unique, emergent, and complex requirements, to meet timely and technical needs of assigned acquisitions Tracks data, provides updates and advises leadership with best actionable recommendations on contracting and equipment procurement on behalf of Service in the best interest of the VA as procurement technical authority for Specialty Care Service. Utilizes initiative and experienced judgment to research and analyze the guidelines in developing, recommending, and implementing solutions. Strong Knowledge of cost and pricing data and contract proposals to evaluate the offers and responsibility, and to evaluate contractor responsibility and performance. Ability to perform cost benefit analysis, conduct gap analyses, and understanding of cost elements which go into the production, management or delivery of a healthcare resource service or product. Acts independently responsible, takes immediate actions to resolve issues. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 Specialist/PD144140 and PD144150 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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.