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Program Specialist
Veterans Health Administration · Posted 54 days ago
On-site Tucson, AZ $51K – $67K Apply by Jul 30, 2026 Miscellaneous Administration And Program ENTJESFJESTJISTJ
Apply for this job → About the Role
The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is currently seeking a Program Specialist for Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS) to join Social Work Service. This position acts as the primary liaison, offering personalized care and support to families, caregivers, and survivors during end-of-life situations. The role involves providing respectful and compassionate services in accordance with VBA, VHA, NCA policies, and applicable regulations.
What You'll Do
- →Program Administration: Provides guidance to Veterans and next of kin (NOK) regarding burial benefits, assisting with prearranged burial, cremation, and interment.
- →Advises on eligibility, entitlement, and application processes for burial and death allowances, referring complex inquiries to VBA.
- →Informs families of VA supportive services such as Chaplaincy and Social Work.
- →Reviews death notifications, submits death certificates to funeral directors and county offices, and ensures dignified funerals for unclaimed remains at VA expense.
- →Coordinates with VA offices to locate NOK when unknown, reviews unclaimed remains, and verifies VA funds are used correctly.
- →Ensures clinical staff contact survivors within 24 hours of death, and collaborates with funeral homes for unclaimed remains, including preparing purchase orders and VA authorizations.
- →Manages release of personal effects and remaining funds to NOK or legal representatives, and oversees consent for autopsies and body donation per facility procedures.
- →Coordinates remains release with external agencies, cancels upcoming appointments, and prepares military and death documentation for funeral arrangements.
- →Manages patient funds and effects for incapacitated Veterans, including in-person court proceedings as needed.
- →Data & Quality Management: Supports quality end-of-life care by assisting in developing action plans and process improvements based on Bereaved Family Survey data.
- →Implements systems to track service delivery, referrals, and outcomes.
- →Analyzes adverse quality trends, initiates corrective actions, and collaborates with staff for continuous improvement.
- →Collects and reports program data to management, VISN, and national levels, using data to evaluate and enhance program effectiveness.
- →Maintains proficiency in relevant databases, conducts queries on patient care trends, and manages new departmental data collection.
Requirements
- ✓You must be a U.S.
- ✓Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.
- ✓In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.
- ✓The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
- ✓Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.
- ✓A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
- ✓Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- ✓Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
- ✓Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- ✓Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
- ✓In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
- ✓Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- ✓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.
Personality Fit
Job ID: e966bd0c-8a85-418a-8fe7-16df33830b47
Posted via USAJobs