The USH is a presidential appointee subject to Senate confirmation. Candidates for the Under Secretary position must be visionary leaders who have demonstrated an ability to conceptualize and implement the Secretary's vision, and are dynamic advocates who can move an ambitious agenda forward to meet the needs of our Nation's veterans.
Summary
The USH is a presidential appointee subject to Senate confirmation. Candidates for the Under Secretary position must be visionary leaders who have demonstrated an ability to conceptualize and implement the Secretary's vision, and are dynamic advocates who can move an ambitious agenda forward to meet the needs of our Nation's veterans.
The Under Secretary for Health (USH) is responsible for the leadership and direction of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Nation's largest integrated health care system. The four statutory missions of VHA are: 1) to develop, maintain, and operate a national health care delivery system for eligible veterans; 2) to administer a program of education and training for health care personnel; 3) health care research; and 4) contingency support for the Department of Defense and Public Health Service during times of war or national emergency.
The USH assures delivery of timely, appropriate, cost-effective services to more than 9 million veterans enrolled in VA health care. VHA has a special responsibility to care for veterans with service-connected disabilities and is responsible for specialized services, such as; care for spinal cord injury, mental illness, substance abuse and other conditions.
The VA health care system provides care and social support services to over 8.5 million enrolled veterans through a system of 1,383 health care facilities, including 172 medical centers and approximately 1,000 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), 303 Vet (readjustment and counseling) Centers and 88 mobile Vet Centers, over 100 VA nursing homes (known as Community Living Centers) and multiple programs to support older veterans at home, over 100 VA Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs, 7 Centralized Mail Out Pharmacies, all of which are administered through 18 regional networks, a national headquarters and other support offices.
Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) is required.
Successful completion of a background investigation.
Complete White House Presidential Personnel vetting process successfully.
Senate Confirmation.
Drug Testing Required.
Qualifications
Candidates for the Under Secretary position must be highly effective leaders who have demonstrated experience in overseeing or directing the operations of a large health care enterprise. Candidates must be committed to the high quality care of our Nation's Veterans, implement the Secretary's vision to transform VA, and serve as an accountable and innovative steward of the human capital and financial resources of the VHA.
By law, the Under Secretary for Health shall be appointed solely on the basis of:
Demonstrated ability in the medical or allied health profession, in health care administration and policy formulation, and in health care fiscal management; and
Substantial experience in connection with the programs of the Veterans Health Administration or programs of similar content and scope.
Additional information
Additional Agency Contact: Bari Williams, Bari.Williams@va.gov; Amy Nichols, Amy.Nichols2@va.gov
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Step 1: Minimum qualifications.
Step 2: Screening by Executive Board to determine group of candidates to be considered by the Commission.
Step 3: The Commission interviews the most qualified candidates.
Step 4: The Commission recommends the final candidates for consideration by the Secretary and the President.
You will be evaluated based upon your resume, application or curriculum vitae, and an interview if invited to appear before the Commission.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application must be received by 11:59 pm EST on the closing date 04/25/2025 in order for you to be considered. Please read all instructions before you begin.
To begin click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register, complete the online questionnaire, and submit required documents. To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and click on "Application Status". Click on the position title and select Apply Online to continue.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application must be received by 11:59 pm EST on the closing date 04/25/2025 in order for you to be considered. Please read all instructions before you begin.
To begin click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register, complete the online questionnaire, and submit required documents. To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and click on "Application Status". Click on the position title and select Apply Online to continue.
