Program Analyst (Informatics) - Geriatrics and Extended Care

Veterans Health Administration; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration's VA Central Iowa Health Care System seeks a Program Analyst (Informatics) to enhance health care quality and efficiency by integrating clinical and information processes for new technologies adoption.

The role emphasizes automation, data analysis, and informatics within the federal framework, with GS-09/GS-11 pathways and required documentation (SF-50). Applicants must meet all qualifications by 09/17/2026.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of automation and software systems related to clinical practice.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and synthesize data for reports.
• Experience with process improvement projects and informing clinical and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Supports deployment, sustainment, and optimization of informatics initiatives.
• Provides data-driven analysis and graphical presentations to stakeholders.
• Communicates with clinical and business teams to facilitate organizational change.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication with stakeholders

Process improvement

Informatics knowledge

Automation and software systems

Education

Graduate degree requirement

PhD / Doctoral degree (Ph.D.)

Job description

The incumbent serves as a Program Analyst (Informatics) located at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System under the Geriatrics and Extended Care service line. The primary purpose of the position is to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care by integrating clinical and information processes necessary to achieve successful adoption and application of new technologies throughout the VHA.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/17/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-9 Program Analyst (Informatics)

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following:

Specialized Experience:

You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Analyst - Informatics. Qualifying specialized experience includes knowledge of automation and software systems and options that affect clinical practice; performs data analysis, to include collecting, evaluating, and synthesizing data; assisting in process improvement projects; provides communication channels to clinical and business teams to support deployment, sustainment, and optimize efforts; and preparing reports and graphical presentations of data.

Education:

Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Combination:

Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

GS-11 Program Analyst (Informatics)

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following:

Specialized Experience:

You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Analyst - Informatics. Qualifying specialized experience includes communicating among stakeholders to facilitate and support organizational change; applying a wide range of established practices, theories, and emerging information in relation to health care delivery, informatics, and applications; independently completes analytical projects related to process improvement; experience with data life cycle to include data design, collection, and management to input, retrieve, analyze, summarize, and present information; and knowledge and use of national database architecture and file structure.

Education:

Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Combination:

Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above tha