Become a Program Specialist with the Veterans Health Administration

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a cornerstone of support for those who have served our country. If you are a professional looking to blend your administrative expertise with a mission-driven environment, the position of Program Specialist at the Durham VA Healthcare System may be the ideal career move. This role is pivotal in ensuring that our primary care clinics operate with peak efficiency.

Job Responsibilities

As a Program Specialist, you will wear many hats. Your primary focus will be serving as the Principle Facility Coordinator for the Patient Centered Management Module (PCMM). Daily duties include:

Managing clinic profiles for various primary care and CBOC locations.
Providing data-driven recommendations to leadership regarding clinic capacity and wait times.
Troubleshooting software applications like VistA and PCMM.
Developing dashboards to assist in workload management.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, you must meet the following criteria:

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen.
Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level.
Education: A relevant graduate degree or a combination of graduate education and professional experience.
Compliance: Ability to pass a background check and undergo mandatory health screenings, including the annual influenza vaccination.

Salary Overview

This position is graded at the GS-09 level. Below is the salary range for this role.

Pay Grade	Minimum Annual Salary	Maximum Annual Salary
GS-09	$64,453	$83,794

Benefits

Employees of the VA enjoy a robust benefits package that promotes long-term financial stability and health, including:

Comprehensive medical and retirement programs.
Generous leave accrual.
Career growth opportunities within the federal government.

Application Tips

Tailor Your Resume: Use results-oriented language.
Keep it Short: Strictly adhere to the two-page limit.
Detail Matters: Clearly define hours worked per week for all previous positions.

This role offers a unique intersection of administrative technicality and selfless service. If you meet the requirements and are ready to support our nation’s Veterans, apply before the deadline on October 5, 2026.

Why This Program Specialist Job Matters

Take your career to the next level by supporting the heroes who served our nation as a Program Specialist at the Durham VA Healthcare System.

Program Specialist Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Program Specialist to join the Ambulatory Care Service in Durham, North Carolina. This role is central to the operational efficiency of our primary care clinics, as the successful candidate will manage the Patient Centered Management Module (PCMM) system, provide critical data analysis to leadership, and facilitate training for medical staff. This position offers an excellent opportunity to impact clinical outcomes and support our mission of delivering compassionate, whole-health care to America's Veterans.

Requirements for Program Specialist

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent.
Completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of graduate education.
A combination of education and experience that meets the 100% threshold.
Must pass a background and security investigation.
Ability to work in a sedentary office environment with some walking and light lifting.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Completion of a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period.
Registration with the Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959.

Preferred Qualifications for Program Specialist

Proven proficiency in VistA, PCMM, and Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, Word).
Experience in data management, report generation, and clinical profile maintenance.
Strong communication skills for presenting findings to senior leadership.
Experience handling time-keeping records and clinic scheduling logistics.
Expertise in regulatory compliance and internal medical administrative policies.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Federal salary and pay progression.
✓Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
✓Generous paid time off, including federal holidays and sick leave.
✓Access to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
✓Flexible spending accounts and life insurance programs.
✓Opportunities for telework and professional development.

💡 How to Apply Program Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Program Specialist Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that is two pages or less, following the provided formatting guidelines.
Gather supporting documents such as your SF-50 and academic transcripts.
Complete the online application questionnaire through the USAJOBS portal.
If prompted, complete the USA Hire Competency-Based Assessments within the specified timeframe.
Submit your final application package by 11:59 PM ET on the closing date of 10/05/2026.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume clearly lists the month and year for all start/end dates and hours worked per week.
Use the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure your formatting meets the strict two-page limit.
Save your resume as a PDF to maintain document integrity.
Double-check that your SF-50 clearly demonstrates one year of time-in-grade if you are a current federal employee.
Focus your resume language on achievements and results rather than just duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position remote?

No, this is an on-site position at the Durham VA Healthcare System in North Carolina, though it is eligible for ad-hoc telework.

What is the page limit for the resume?

Per updated federal guidelines, resumes must be two pages or less to be considered for the position.

What happens if I forget to attach my SF-50?

Incomplete application packages may result in an ineligible rating. Ensure all required documentation is uploaded before the closing date.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States. Providing care to millions of Veterans, the VHA is committed to a "whole health" approach. Joining the Durham VA team means becoming part of a community dedicated to honoring the men and women who have sacrificed for our nation.