Health System Specialist - Technical Career Field (TCF) Intern
What you'd do
The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. This Health System Specialist - TCF intern position is assigned to the Integrity and Compliance (OIC) program and is located at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System.
Major duties
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. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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. Major duties include: Assists in the planning, development, and implementation of compliance initiatives within the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Centers (CBOC)s. Assists in planning, developing, and implementing programs to effectively identify, plan, assess, respond, and monitor areas of high risk, and coordinate efforts to improve performance as deemed necessary. Develops expertise to serve as an advisor on compliance regulations, references, and program initiation and implementation throughout the facility. Utilizes access and authority to review all documents, patient records, and other information relevant to compliance activities, including, but not limited to claim submissions, financial reports, external review reports, purchased care reports, communication from first and third-party payers, quality reports, privacy records, reports of investigations, and arrangements with other parties. Assess written compliance policies, and procedures consistent with those established by VHA and Federal Laws that reflect industry standards and practices. Ensures policies and procedures are accessible and communicated through a variety of forums to all employees, volunteers, contractors, management, and other business stakeholders. Conducts ongoing studies of policies and procedures, resource utilization, and organizational structure for the revenue cycle and Non-VA Medical Care activities as related to compliance issues and adapt, modify and change these as needed to conform to compliance standards. Continually reviews new and revised laws, regulations and guidelines set priorities based on this information, assess local practices; and initiate organization-wide actions to effectively comply with all current and anticipated requirements. Collaborates with colleagues on development of compliance policies and procedures based on VHA Directives and/or regulations. Participates in consultative processes with business process owners on compliance and regulatory matters and internal controls related to OIC policies. Promotes and supports the culture to make it easier for the employee to adhere to programs and policies to help ensure that all employees adhere to ethical business practices as I outlined in the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 CFR, I Part 2635). Assists with the establishment of the Compliance Committee with membership including senior-most officers responsible for the facility's business related activities and health information practices, in accordance with CBI Directives and Handbooks. Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (work hours may be further discussed during the interview) Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist - Technical Career Field (TCF) Intern/PD99534S Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/31/2026. 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. This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: Minimum Qualifications GS-9 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include what is stated above, as well as: assisting with internal reviews, audits, surveys, or investigations to identify risk areas and ensure compliance within a healthcare or complex organizational setting; initiating or assisting with formal and informal investigation processes; preparing or delivering written training and education materials or plans for staff and leadership to promote understanding of compliance standards, regulations, or organizational policies; communicating policies, procedures, and investigative findings effectively to employees, management, and other stakeholders; and collaborating with colleagues to enhance policies and procedures in accordance with directives, regulatory requirements, or industry standards. OR, Special Provision for In-service Placement: I have successfully completed an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program that included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: 1) Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements; 2) Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and 3) Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related, in a field related to the position to be filled (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equivalent combination of successfully completed 1 full year graduate level education and specialized experience as described above to meet the total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). NOTE: Transcripts required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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. Note: 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. There are no unusual physical demands. The work is performed in an office setting. Travel to the VISN and various trainee and external meetings or training is required. Work Conditions: Most work is performed in an office setting; however, travel away from the normal duty station may occur as necessary.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.