Program Support Assistant

Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois is a VA and DoD dually integrated healthcare center providing care services to Veterans, Active-Duty Military Personnel, and their beneficiaries, including outpatient pediatric services. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Office of Community Care (OCC) Coordinator.

Duties: The incumbent provides administrative care coordination support to clinicians and other administrative and/other professional staff for purposes of coordinating Non-VA medical care for veterans when inpatient and outpatient, and their VA provider has deemed such care necessary. The OCC program requires administrative scheduling and appointment coordination for diagnostic testing, and referral appointments for many clinical services. This position is responsible for checking eligibility determination for Non-VA medical care in accordance to the MISSION Act, for generating authorizations of pre-authorized medical care. Works closely with the Community Care Nurse Coordinator to ensure proper authorizations are issued, and appropriate correspondence are sent to vendors. Incumbent acts as a liaison between the veteran and the vendors with regard to OCC section and VA clinical services and/or primary care services. Obtains requested medical records including reports, x-rays, labs, and any pertinent information required to complete referrals in the Federal Electronic Health Record (FEHR) or applicable software system. Ensures all necessary components and documentation are distributed to appropriate services at the private institution where service will be provided. Collaborates with OCC nurse to prioritize requested procedure based on urgency (stat and routine), combat veteran status and compensation and pension exams in accordance to policy. The incumbent is responsible for the coordination of all administrative information between the professional staff and veterans. This includes updating and verifying demographic information, data entry, administratively managing referral requests, making and notifying the patient of his/her scheduled appointment with the outside provider(s). The incumbent is responsible for generating correspondence to the veterans and various providers and managing all received correspondence related to care. The incumbent appropriately processes authorizations based on eligibility. Performs assignments involving different processes, complexity, or methods in varying sequence. Applies policies and procedures in resolving non-reoccurring problems. The incumbent reviews and determines veteran's eligibility for specialty programs in the VA Community Care Program and appropriately processes their authorization. He/She discusses eligibility for programs or specific claims with vendors, veterans, and/or service officers. Serves as the point of contact for designated community care claim needs, providing information for Payment Operation and Management when authorizations are required for outstanding claims. Ensures the community care network is appropriate for selection and including timely scheduling. Explains the VA's mandate to collect insurance information to veterans, their families, and other eligible patients. 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: 0730-1600 Monday-Friday Compressed/Flexible: 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 Support Assistant/PD06498A

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 ([external link] 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 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.