This position is the Program Specialist for Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS), providing supportive services to families, caregivers and survivors at end of life. The Program Specialist must be comfortable working in the hospital morgue and handling deceased Veterans with professionalism and respect. As part of identity verification, the Specialist may be required to open body bags to locate the internal identification tag, especially if the external tag is unavailable or missing.
Duties include but are not limited to the following: Serves as the facility's primary point of contact for the Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS) Program, advising Veterans and next of kin on burial, interment, cremation, and related benefits. Ensures Veterans with no identified family receive a dignified funeral and burial at VA expense, including locating next of kin and coordinating with funeral homes. Coordinates administrative aspects following a Veteran's death, including autopsy consent, organ/tissue/body donation, release of remains, and disposition of personal effects and funds. Identifies problem areas affecting patient/family services and recommends solutions or procedural changes, participating in resolution through committee/workgroup involvement as appropriate. Serves as an advocate for patients and families throughout the facility, identifying and helping remove institutional barriers to optimal care. Identifies problem areas affecting patient/family services and recommends solutions or procedural changes, participating in resolution through committee involvement as appropriate. Collaborates with palliative care and facility leadership to develop process improvements based on Bereaved Family Survey and other program data. Collects, analyzes, and reports program data, trends, and outcomes to local, VISN, and National SAMS Program leadership. Develops and maintains databases, spreadsheets, and statistics related to programs within incumbent's span of control. Performs organizational analysis, identifying data discrepancies and recommending corrective courses of action to ensure accuracy and timeliness of program reporting. Manages program budget functions, serving as fund control point clerk, purchase card official, and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for SAMS contracts. Conducts quarterly audits of deceased patient fund accounts and initiates disposition of funds in accordance with VA policy. Recruits, trains, and oversees volunteers in coordination with the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement, and supports "No Veteran Dies Alone" initiatives. Plans, develops, and implements programs in compliance with VA, VHA, and VISN 22 requirements, developing training materials and presentations to support continuous process improvement. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized. Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD14880LS Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): No authorized
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.
Jason.Jerome@va.gov 808-600-4318
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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