Advance Your Career Supporting Our Veterans: Program Support Assistant Role

Are you looking for a career that combines administrative excellence with a mission-driven purpose? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently hiring a Program Support Assistant at the Charlie A. Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. This position plays a critical role in supporting our Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) services, ensuring that those who have sacrificed for our nation receive the highest quality of administrative coordination.

Job Responsibilities

As a Program Support Assistant, you will serve as the backbone for the SCI unit. Your daily duties will include:

Registry Management: Overseeing the SCI Registry to ensure accurate patient data.
Liaison Services: Serving as a primary point of contact between Hub and Spoke facilities.
Patient Flow: Coordinating admissions, transfers, and discharges using the VISTA system.
Bed Management: Updating the Electronic Bed Management System (BMS) to optimize hospital resources.
Customer Service: Resolving inquiries for Veterans and coordinating document routing.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicants must demonstrate:

One year of specialized experience at the GS-6 level.
U.S. Citizenship.
Ability to clear a security and background investigation.
Completion of a 1-year probationary period.
Commitment to the seasonal influenza vaccination policy.

Comparison: General Skills vs. Specialized VA Experience

Feature	General Admin Role	SCI Program Support Role
Focus	General office tasks	Patient registry/Clinical flow
Stakeholders	Internal team members	Veterans, Spoke clinics, Physicians
Priority	File management	Admissions/Bed coordination

Salary Overview

This position is classified at the GS-7 grade level. The salary range for this role is $50,460 to $65,599 per year. Compensation is determined by federal standards and may be subject to cost-of-living adjustments based on federal policy.

Benefits

Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs enjoy a robust federal benefits package:

Insurance: Access to premium health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
Retirement: Eligibility for the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Leave: Generous annual and sick leave accrual starting from your first pay period.
Flexibility: Clear work-life balance with a set Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM schedule.

Application Tips

Respect the 2-Page Limit: Federal regulations now strictly limit resumes to two pages. Focus on impactful, results-driven content.
Document Everything: Be specific about your experience, including hours worked per week and exact dates.
Use the Resume Builder: This tool helps ensure your resume meets the strict formatting requirements of the agency.
Check Your SF-50: Ensure you provide the correct Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former federal employee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the closing date for this position? A: Applications must be submitted by September 8, 2026. Q: Is there a physical requirement? A: Yes, a pre-placement physical evaluation is required for this role. Q: Do I need a degree to qualify? A: Specialized experience is typically required, though graduate education may be considered in specific, directly related fields.

This role offers a unique opportunity to directly impact the lives of Veterans in the Augusta, GA community. If you have the administrative skills to support complex clinical programs and a desire to work in a high-impact environment, we encourage you to apply today. Your contribution matters.

Why This Program Support Assistant Job Matters

Support the mission of caring for our Veterans by joining the Charlie A. Norwood VA Medical Center as a Program Support Assistant in our Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Service line.

Program Support Assistant Job Overview

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a dedicated Program Support Assistant to provide essential administrative and clinical support for the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) service. You will act as a key liaison between Hub and Spoke facilities, maintain patient registries, coordinate complex admissions, and ensure seamless patient care workflows. This role is central to maintaining the high standards of administrative integrity required to serve our nation's Veterans.

Requirements for Program Support Assistant

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Must be able to pass a background/security investigation.
Completion of a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Registration with the Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must meet Time-in-Grade requirements if you are a current or former federal employee.
Must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications for Program Support Assistant

Experience managing Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) or similar rehabilitation registries.
Expertise in patient admission, transfer, and discharge coordination.
Strong proficiency in scheduling, calendar management, and clinical record documentation.
Proven ability to navigate Electronic Bed Management Systems (BMS).
Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills in a medical or clinical environment.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance options.
✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
✓Generous annual and sick leave accrual.
✓Paid federal holidays.
✓Opportunities for professional development and training.
✓Credit for non-federal experience toward annual leave accrual rates.

💡 How to Apply Program Support Assistant Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Program Support Assistant Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that is strictly limited to two pages.
Complete the required online assessment questionnaire.
Upload all necessary supporting documents (SF-50, transcripts, DD-214).
Submit your full application package before the closing date of September 8, 2026.
Monitor your email for notifications regarding USA Hire assessments.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume includes clear month/year start and end dates for every position.
Specify hours worked per week for each role (35-40 hours is considered full-time).
Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting and page limits.
Double-check that your SF-50 clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade eligibility.
Use the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure you meet the two-page limit requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pay range for this position?

The salary for this GS-7 position ranges from $50,460 to $65,599 per year.

Is this a remote position?

No, this is an in-person position located at the Charlie A. Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.

What specific documents are required?

You must submit a resume, and if applicable, an SF-50, military discharge papers (DD-214), or academic transcripts.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system in the United States. Our mission is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families. Joining our team means you are not just an employee; you are an essential part of a compassionate system dedicated to whole health care.