Program Analyst

Summary The Incumbent is a vital member of the Managerial Cost Accounting Program (MCAP) team, which is charged with the responsibility of implementing, processing and ongoing management of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System (VAPAHCS) cost accounting data.

Provides analysis of programs, business, and financial data to support organizational decision making as well as other analytical functions and performs cost analysis using automated systems to retrieve data from various databases across VAPAHCS.

Responsibilities
THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION This position is located in the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System (VAPAHCS) VA Healthcare System.

This entry level Program Analyst position, applying the appropriate rules/regulations used in conducting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) business as well as the Technical Career Field (TCF) program guidelines.

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.

As part of the VA's succession planning, the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages.

The program is nationally funded to include salary, benefits and training/travel dollars.

At the time of acceptance into the TCF program, trainees will be asked to sign mobility, training, and service agreements.

Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program.

Please keep in consideration, the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program.

Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

Although not guaranteed, with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations, we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-7 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11.

Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds.

Major Duties:

Performs standard cost review to develop comprehensive, case mix, retrospective, workload adjusted, and productivity budgets based on actual volume and mix of departments.

Analyzes variances between the budgets and actual performance and develops site-specific assumptions for account base and cost model and analyzes and performs comparison of department utilization.

Verifies that budget volumes, costs, relative value units and standards reflect variable and fixed costs for the medical centers. Analyzes reports for appropriateness and reviews indirect cost allocation models in order to provide relevant information. Performs system tests and validation processes to ensure that the system is properly functioning after each programming change.

Supports the development of new databases based on analysis of current databases and applications in order to meet user requirements; improve data collection and management; reduce duplication of effort; and ensure optimum use of automated systems.

Extracts a variety of data from medical information systems and collects and compiles statistical data from automated reports and a variety of automated medical data systems to support specific health care cost analysis.

Analyzes cost and utilization trends to identify problem areas, provide objective assessment and prioritize and recommend appropriate actions and alternatives.

Analyzes historical utilization data to identify trends in demands, outputs produced, type of resources used and other types of available data.

Identifies inconsistent data from various automated systems and initiates corrective actions.

Reviews and analyzes computer generated cost and VISN budget reports on a monthly/quarterly basis in order to verify the accuracy of the data, noting trends, and analyzing variances.

Analyzes available VISN financial and clinical data to make quantitative and qualitative evaluations for the preparation of narrative and statistical reports for management and customers.

Work Schedule:
M-F (8am - 4:30pm)

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives:

Not authorized Telework: 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.

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Physical Requirements:

The incumbent's work is primarily sedentary but may involve some walking, standing, bending, and carrying small items such as books and papers.

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 Qualifications Minimum Qualifications for GS-7: Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level: (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying.

Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below.

To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following:
Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision.

A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.

A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.

Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

For a list of recognized honor societies please visit For more information regarding SAA please visit OR Education:

Possess at least one full year of graduate level study or possess a master's or higher degrees in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

OR Experience:

Possess at least one year of work experience in applying analytical, auditing, and evaluative techniques to the identification and resolution of issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature; using qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques such as: literature search; task analysis; flowcharting; graphing; and calculations using statistical measures etc.

OR Combination of Education and Experience:

Possess a combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience as (described above) to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level.

To be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages.

The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level of GS-7.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education IMPORTANT:
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:
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:
Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

he Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act.

Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at Applicant written complaints should include the following: Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).

Date of contact.

Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.

Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information.

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