Health System Specialist - High Reliability Officer (HRO)

Health System Specialist – High Reliability Officer

The Health System Specialist (High Reliability Officer) utilizes specialized knowledge of the fundamentals of health care management, high reliability, patient safety, and continuous improvement. The HSS (HRO) serves as a management representative of the Executive Leadership Team and participates in the stewardship and responsibility for operations of the organization as a whole. This position requires the ability to apply healthcare management principles to complex problem-solving situations. Responsibilities major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Review requests for FTEE, Equipment, Overtime, and Space, and remain current on the medical center budget and/or forecasts needs based on regional market trends. Applies specialized experience in VHA policies and directives related to patient safety and continuous process improvement implementation. Trains and emulates behavior to staff at all levels of the organization in basic and advanced High Reliability tools and techniques. Review medical center budget initiatives, subsequent justifications and advocates for the clinical or administrative service/program to the Executive Leadership as needed. Plan, organize, trend and review requests for resources within their assigned executive's chain of command and/or make recommendations based upon the relative needs while considering their ability to utilize the resources requested. Provide guidance/advice on program specific matters e.g. handling legislative issues, development/implementation of policy or program initiatives, protocol issues, VISN/VACO related matters, and/or other important correspondence. Coordinate/participate in strategic planning throughout the healthcare system with subordinate services and programs to produce decisions and actions that shape/guide the organization's purpose and/or activities. Make recommendations on assigned projects, including what elements are to be included in the scope of the project based on local, VISN, or national strategic initiatives and alignment. Assist the Executive Leadership Team in assessing needs in a realistic fashion by documenting them effectively and presenting them to a diverse audience of internal and/or external stakeholders. Work closely with other facilities and/or VISN on project development and submission. Develop administrative/strategic operational initiatives of the organization that enables the specialist to identify problems, analyze data recommend resolutions based on specific knowledge of the organization's objectives and priorities, resources, and/or catchment area. Serve as the primary High Reliability Officer on behalf of all services of the healthcare system between the VISN and headquarters. Conduct analytical studies on particular operational processes, issue topics, or related special projects. Resolve issues from quality of care and consumer complaints arising from individual patients, Veterans groups, Congressional offices, and other stakeholders. Demonstrate poise, tact, self-confidence and professionalism while under pressure or adverse conditions. Reviews audits and evaluations which are conducted at the facility.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist – High Reliability Officer (HRO)/PD13291A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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.

Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can't be waived. The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. To qualify for the GS 0671 occupational series, applicants MUST possess one of the following: UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE EDUCATION: undergraduate or graduate education in a major field of study hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields, such as business or public administration, with course work in health care administration. OR, SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: specialized experience that is progressively responsible for analytical or administrative, or clinical management, or supervisory experience in the health care field performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities with close working relationships with facility managers and analysis/coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities which provided knowledge in the following areas: 1) Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; 2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and 3) Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. OR, SPECIAL PROVISION FOR INSERVICE PLACEMENT: Completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program, which included a formal individualized training plan. The training program should have been performed 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.