Transportation Assistant

Summary

VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) is a 303 consolidated bed facility, university affiliated, teaching, research and clinical center with a highly diverse patient care population in outpatient, inpatient and extended care settings. The Veterans Transportation Program (VTP)/Beneficiary Travel (BT) department administers beneficiary travel program benefits to Veterans who meet eligibility criteria.

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement until 07/15/2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred after the closing date of the announcement. Major duties, include but are not limited to: Utilizing various software applications to accurately determine and/or verify Veteran eligibility and amount owed for travel reimbursement according to national and local rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. Assisting Veterans with waiver applications when Veteran has experienced a major change in income for the current year or is requesting deductible be waived due to financial hardship. Reviewing clinical request for transportation at VA expense utilizing CPRS and determines best mode of transportation i.e. VTS, common carrier or special mode based on cost effectiveness and patient medical needs. Arranging all modes of transportation via Veterans Transportation Service (VTS), air ambulance, commercial air, taxi, ambulance, bus and/or independent transports. Corresponding with physician, traveler, and vendor to determine the most dependable and economical mode of transportation. Prepares appropriate documentation and/or scheduling for traveler according to government transportation availability, government rates or substantial rates. Reviewing requests for reimbursement of travel costs for the purpose of assuring compliance with regulations and procedures, completeness, accuracy, internal consistency, and agreement with basic authorization. Recognizing and understanding customers and providing information and/or services to Veterans, Veteran's families, Veteran's representatives and/or facility staff. Handling conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately. Collecting, organizing, tracking and counting all beneficiary travel reimbursement forms from various locations throughout the facility. Ordering office supplies for the section and responsible for tracking and organizing orders. Posting employee time cards as supervisor instructs, assisting supervisor with reconciling time card discrepancies and serving as the point of contact for time card related questions and actions. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm PST Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Transportation Assistant/PD21145A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.