Job Description
The Program Support Assistant serves as the receptionist for the Office of the Associate Director for Patient Care Services Executive Suite at the VA Maryland Health Care System.
You will answer telephones, receive visitors, respond to inquiries, and refer patients or staff to the appropriate person. You will also handle calls for assistance, prioritize urgent situations, and manage incoming mail and email for Nursing Service functions.
Typing assignments must be completed on time, proofread for accuracy, and formatted per policy.
Qualification
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements: 52 weeks at GS-05. You must also type at least 40 words per minute.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
- Time-In-Grade: Current or former federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level (any occupation) within the last 52 weeks.
- Specialized Experience: One year of experience equivalent to GS-05, including administrative support, data collection, document processing, file maintenance, and using software such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, and databases.
- Typing Proficiency: Must type at least 40 words per minute.
- Preferred Experience: Recent PSA experience (2 years in the last 5 years), knowledge of VAMHCS scholarship programs, invoice processing, VISTA software, audit reports, and familiarity with nursing affiliations, EBP, and SPHM programs.
- Education: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
- Only degrees from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are accepted. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
- Experience must be fully documented on your resume, including job title, duties, month/year start/end dates, and hours per week.
Role Responsibilities
Serve as receptionist for the Office of the Associate Director for Patient Care Services Executive Suite.
- Answer telephones, receive visitors professionally, and respond to inquiries or refer to appropriate staff.
- Respond to calls for assistance on behalf of patients and staff, prioritizing urgent situations.
- Receive telephone messages, open and sort incoming mail and email for Nursing Service functions.
- Complete typing assignments on time, proofread for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and content, and format per policy.
- Retrieve requested materials expediently.
- Maintain an organized, neat filing system.
- Perform other administrative duties as assigned.
Conditions & Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Must complete a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA Health Care Personnel.
- Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must complete an online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025).
- Pre-placement physical examination is not required.
- Telework eligible on an ad-hoc basis as determined by agency policy.
Benefits
Complete benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.
- Eligibility for benefits depends on position type and work schedule (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
- Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) similar to a 401(k).
- Annual and sick leave accrual.
- Life insurance and long-term care options.
Additional Information
Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed in this order: 1) Current permanent VA employees of the facility, 2) All other VA employees.
- Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, VA prohibits requesting criminal history prior to a tentative job offer.
- Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests for the USA Hire Assessments must be submitted before starting the assessments. Contact the agency for details.
- If you are a current federal employee, ensure your SF-50 demonstrates time-in-grade. Award SF-50s are not accepted.
- Veterans should claim preference in the questionnaire and provide required documentation (DD-214, SF-15).
- Contact Nikki Watson at 410-605-7000 or [email protected] for questions.
- Address: VA Maryland Health Care System, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
About Company
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care to over 9 million veterans each year. It operates under the Department of Veterans Affairs and includes medical centers, clinics, and community living centers nationwide. This position is within the VA Maryland Health Care System, which serves veterans in Maryland and surrounding areas. The VHA is committed to Whole Health, an approach that support veterans and employees to take charge of their health and well-being. Working here means supporting those who have served, in a public service environment that values patient-centered care and employee development.
FAQs
What does a Program Support Assistant do at the VA Maryland Health Care System?
The Program Support Assistant serves as the receptionist for the Executive Suite of the Associate Director for Patient Care Services. Duties include answering phones, greeting visitors, responding to inquiries, sorting mail, typing documents, and maintaining filing systems. You will also prioritize urgent calls for assistance from patients and staff.
Can I apply for this job if I am not a current VA employee?
This position is open only to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees. If you are a federal employee from another agency, you are not eligible unless you are a VA employee. The area of consideration first gives priority to current permanent VA employees of the facility, then all other VA employees.
What is the time-in-grade requirement for this GS-06 position?
Current or former federal employees must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-05 level (or equivalent) within the last 52 weeks. You must submit an SF-50 that clearly demonstrates this time-in-grade. If your most recent SF-50 is less than a year old, you need an additional SF-50 showing one year at GS-05.
Is there a typing test required for this job?
Yes, you must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. This is a qualification requirement, and your proficiency may be verified through the application process or during the assessment.
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
You must submit a resume (two pages or less after September 27, 2025) and an SF-50 showing time-in-grade. If applicable, include transcripts, veterans' preference documentation (DD-214, SF-15), and ICTAP/CTAP documents. A cover letter is optional.
Will I need to complete any assessments after applying?
Yes, if selected for further consideration, you may be required to complete USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. These online assessments measure critical competencies such as attention to detail, customer service, and computer skills. You will receive a unique link and must complete them within the given timeframe.
Is telework available for this position?
Telework is eligible on an ad-hoc basis as determined by agency policy. This is not a remote position; you will primarily work onsite at the VA Maryland Health Care System in Baltimore, MD.
What is the probationary period for this role?
You will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or a 2-year trial period. During this time, your performance and conduct will be evaluated to determine if your continued employment advances the public interest.