The Senior Health Systems SME provides expert-level guidance, analysis, and support to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in evaluating and optimizing business and clinical processes across the enterprise. This role is responsible for assessing current and future state concepts, developing and implementing new business processes, diagnosing operational challenges, and redesigning workflows to enhance efficiency, compliance, and care delivery. The SME will contribute specialized expertise in VHA Medical Center operations, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) structures, and affiliated healthcare education systems, ensuring that system improvements align with both clinical and business objectives.

• Support the analysis, design, development, and implementation of business processes within the VHA.
• Conduct detailed assessments of current state operations and define future state concepts to advance organizational objectives.
• Develop new business processes and redesign existing workflows to address identified challenges and improve effectiveness.
• Monitor redesigned processes to ensure sustained improvement and alignment with VHA policies, priorities, and strategic goals.
• Perform continuous process analysis in response to policy updates, organizational changes, and evolving healthcare delivery requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise on VHA Medical Center operations, VISN structures, and clinical/business process integration.
• Apply specialized knowledge in Veterans healthcare program areas such as Patient Centered Medical Home, Mental Health (including Residential Rehabilitation and PTSD), Prosthetics, Telehealth, Women’s Health, Specialty Care, Veterans Homelessness, and Geriatrics and Extended Care.
• Collaborate with VHA leadership and stakeholders to ensure that process improvement initiatives meet operational and clinical requirements.
• Advise on the integration of business and clinical processes with affiliated healthcare education systems.

• Master’s degree in Health Systems Management, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in a large-scale government integrated healthcare system, with substantive Veterans healthcare program involvement.
• Proven expertise in analyzing, designing, developing, and implementing healthcare business processes.
• Extensive experience with VHA Medical Center operations and working knowledge of VISN structures.
• Strong understanding of both clinical and administrative processes within the VHA.
• Experience with affiliated healthcare education systems.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose operational challenges and develop effective process redesign strategies.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills.

• Experience leading enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives in Federal healthcare systems.
• Knowledge of Federal healthcare policy development and implementation.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma, Change Management (e.g., PROSCI®), or related methodologies.

Aptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation. ​

We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day. ​

Founded: 2012
Employees: 300+ nationwide

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.