The position involves Mental Illness Research Project Support an is based in the VISN 5 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center ( MIRECC). This position provides support to MIRECC professional staff in the conduct and coordination of research projects with a particular focus in conducting research study-based manualized treatment interventions;

Duties

The Research Assistant is assigned to the MIRECC with responsibility for multiple research and administrative duties. The incumbent is expected to be familiar with all VA guidelines that pertain to the areas in which he/she works and how the guidelines apply specifically to MIRECC Research. The incumbent is expected to be experienced with the VA Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) for a variety of uses that will provide assistance to the study coordinator and research staff. The incumbent must have clinical and basic science research experience, have clinical mental health experience, should be familiar with conducting group interventions, interviews and assessments with seriously mentally ill individuals and should be experienced with computerized word-processing, spreadsheet and database software. The incumbent must possess a high degree of analytical ability using both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods to gather and analyze data. Incumbent must have basic knowledge of the pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and procedures which govern hospital and health care management as they relate to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Headquarters, DEA,ISC and other organization's policies. The incumbent , in conjunction with the Research Investigator or the Research Coordinator who makes assignments in specific terms of priorities and overall program objectives allowing some independent judgement and latitude of authority in carting out limited assignments. Collecting and translating data is essential to the research findings as they are translated into a final product suitable for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, as well as presentations at research conferences, etc. Research Assistants interacts with all levels of professionals with the VISN 5 MNIRECC. The work is performed in a laboratory and office setting and the environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require safety precautions typical of human biological labs, hospital offices and meeting rooms. There is also a risk of unknowing contact with contagious disease. Duties are as followed but not limited too: Compiling and maintaining regulatory binder for assigned project Creating and maintaining informed consent and research assessment packets Obtaining lists of potential participants and screen for study eligibility (Based on study HIPAA Waiver) Obtaining authorization from respective clinicians to approach their eligible patients for recruitment. Devising a plan to reach individuals who do not respond to contact attempts (via letter or phone call) Maintenance of information on recruitment progress for display in ongoing CONSORT diagrams Compiling all research assessment instruments, along with scoring procedures, related scientific papers and manuals, and determine if a license is require for instrument use and submit a request to purchase , if needed Completing required data management excel spreadsheet listing assessments that will be used for assigned studies Communicating with data management staff and bio-informatics around tele-forming of assessments Constructing an initial project standard operating procedure (SOP) and keeps it updated Creating and distributing meeting agendas for assigned study Providing the principal investigator regular status reports on assigned study Recording and distributing minutes of research study meetings Ensuring there is a process in place for transfer of study-related paperwork between UMD and VA (If needed) Developing and maintaining appropriate communications, rapport and positive working relationships with a variety of professionals and specialized services with the MIRECC, VA, and other agencies. Attend staff meetings, research coordination meetings, and ongoing training and supervisor meetings as scheduled Work Schedule: Full Time 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Lead Health Technician/PD17081A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/19/2023. 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-8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical assistant (or technician) or health technician. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Data ManagementInterpersonal EffectivenessInterpersonal SkillsPlanning and EvaluatingProject Management Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary; the physical demands of the work are generally minor. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

No Education requirements

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Maryland Health Care System 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 US
• Name: Lacreasha Blanding
• Phone: 410-605-7000
• Email: [email protected]