Summary The Transportation Assistant position is assigned to the Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) which is located at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center located in Chicago, Illinois. The purpose of the position is to provide a varied range of supportive and direct care duties that consist of issuing uniforms to employees, maintaining the "lost and found" for employees and patients and other patient effect transactions in support of patient and employees activities. Responsibilities Major Duties at the full- Consults with management and preforms appointment and admission scheduling. Performs a basic analysis of the data and generates a variety of reports. Evaluates documents, e.g., sampling plans, permit applications and other data collection forms. Reviews documents, reports and/or applications for omissions and inconsistencies and ensures data entry is complete and accurate. Enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system. Maintains automated system of program-specific data to track items such as service project milestones, progress reports, program trends, performance measures, compliance strategies, etc. Interacts with various other transportation services such as Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN), Veteran Service organizations (VSO); Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) etc., and other transportation providers. Coordinates service practice that decreases waits and delays for patients. Plans consult processing flow to ensure veterans receive consultation services in a timely manner. Utilizes the Veterans Health Information System and Technological Architecture (VistaA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) or SharePoint Consult/Request Tracking System in processing internal consultations. Plans and directs programs that provide support services functions. Responds to "action required" notifications, ensuring primary providers are correct. Coordinates the day-to-day operation of VTS program flow, processes, and functions. Works in the Beneficiary Travel Department and will perform duties in accordance with 38 CFR Part 17 and 70, Beneficiary Travel Under U.S.C. 111. Determines eligibility for Beneficiary Travel program which provides transportation at Government expense to travel to and from VA facilities and other places for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care. Determines method of payment for authorized and unauthorized ambulance claims submitted for consideration. Receives invoices for payment of transportation services; investigates authorizations, orders, and/or utilizes CPRS to review medical records; forwards for supervisory approval and submits for payment. Acts as liaison between vendors and BT Supervisory, COR and Mobility Manager. Writes or selects appropriate letters explaining disposition of unauthorized travel claims. Reconciles vouchers, meal and lodging receipts, against authorizations for accuracy prior to preparing certification of payment. Responds to client requests and seeks resolution of family/patient/employee complaints. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Shift 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Transportation Assistant/PD23494A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 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 Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, facility applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Non-facility applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/27/2024.Qualifications: The following is the experience and/or education required to qualify for this position at the GS-5 or GS-6 grade levels. Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal Service that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Transportation Assistant position, and that is typically in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience for this position would consist of: experience in positions which required knowledge of eligibility for medical care or services; knowledge of electronic medical record and/or patient scheduling software; skill in the operation of computers, copiers, scanners, fax, calculator, and software programs such as MS Word, Excel and Office or other compatible software; and skill in oral and written communication and interpersonal relations, to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers, OR Education - 4 years above high school. Four years of successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite is creditable for this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. OR Combining Experience and Education - Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying for this position. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. GS-5:Specialized Experience GS-5: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal Service that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Transportation Assistant position, and that is typically in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience for this position would consist of: experience in positions which required knowledge of eligibility and entitlement to medical care or services; knowledge of beneficiary travel regulations; knowledge of electronic medical record, medical scheduling software and how to search and navigate records to acquire information; skill in the operation of computers, copiers, scanners, fax, calculator, and software programs such as MS Word, Excel and Office or other compatible software; and skill in oral and written communication and interpersonal relations, to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. NOTE: There is no educational substitution at the GS-5 grade level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Auditing Clerical 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. GS-6:Specialized Experience GS-6: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal Service that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Transportation Assistant position, and that is typically in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience for this position would consist of: experience in positions which required knowledge of eligibility and entitlement to medical care or services; knowledge of beneficiary travel regulations; knowledge of electronic medical record, medical scheduling software and how to search and navigate records to acquire information; skill in the operation of computers, copiers, scanners, fax, calculator, and software programs such as MS Word, Excel and Office or other compatible software; and skill in oral and written communication and interpersonal relations, to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. NOTE: There is no educational substitution at the GS-6 grade level. 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. Physical Requirements: The incumbent will be exposed to stressful working situations that require a professional attitude and collective reasoning. The incumbent is subject to high volume of work, the need for accuracy, frequency of interruptions and ever-changing demands due to program changes. Work Environment: The duties will be predominantly performed in one of the Veteran Transportation Program offices with intermittent trips to various locations throughout the Hospital catchment area both in and near patient care areas where there may be risk of exposure to disease. The incumbent must always remain composed in trying to assist veterans, their families and staff who may be upset or in distress and hostile in manner. The incumbent may work with patients who are mentally disturbed and must be alert to the risk of physical abuse. Due to changing deadlines and priorities; work maybe stressful at times. 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/. 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/. Additional Information To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.