This is a Term Not To Exceed (NTE) appointment of 13 months. The Research Health Science Specialist will be assigned to a study, or a portfolio of studies, as a member of a highly collaborative team that is comprised of administrative staff, investigators, other research assistants, regulatory staff, and outside collaborators for the purpose of development and conduct of clinical research. Will partner with the study team for implementing and conducting a clinical research study.

Duties

Major Duties and Responsibilities: Data Analysis: The Quantitative Methods Research Associate applies principles of statistics to the design and analysis of health services research, as acquired through advanced training in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, economics, or psychology. In this application, the Research Associate works with principal investigators to develop research questions that can be answered with either archived or newly collected data to produce reliable and valid findings on which to base recommendations for improvements in healthcare delivery systems. The Research Associate determines and applies appropriate statistical techniques (for example, multiple regression, logistic regression, survival analysis) to answer research questions, interpret research findings, and evaluate data quality. Data Management: Relying on considerable scope and depth of knowledge and application in statistics, the Research Associate is responsible for defining, organizing, and managing research data. The Research Associate uses a range of computational techniques and mastery of statistical programming software (specifically, SAS, Stata, or R) to construct variables and measures from new and existing data sets; construct new and/or large-scale data sets, create complex combination of data from multiple sources, and manage data reorganization for specific analytic purposes. The Research Associate is expected to utilize established database design conventions, modifying as needed, to fit specific research situations; and perform statistical computations on study data to identify potential problems with patient recruitment, missing data, and data quality. Documentation of Methodology: The Research Associate develops and maintains documentation for ongoing data analyses and for project archives. This requirement is essential so that the approaches to statistical manipulations are clearly understood, easily replicated, and defended. The Research Associate uses industry standards in statistical documentation. Methodological Reviews: Utilizing training in statistics, epidemiology, or biostatistics, the Research Associate performs independent critical analyses of pertinent literature, VA data resources, Medicare rules and regulation, public datasets, etc. The Research Associate also uses statistical and medical background to evaluate data sources to determine whether and how they can be used of particular research questions. Research Reporting: The Research Associate contributes statistical expertise to research reports that may take the form of a journal papers, conference papers, annual study reports, or methodological papers. In such contributions, the Research Associate may write the sections on statistical methodology, findings, create tables, graphs, and charts, and interpret the findings. The Research Associate may utilize his/her background in statistics, epidemiology, and health services to contribute to research proposals, both in writing the methodological sections of proposals and in the presentation and interpretation of preliminary data. Research Coordination: The Research Associate participates in multi-disciplinary investigative team meetings and discussions leading to consensus on research design, methods, and techniques. He/she clearly defines problems, researches alternatives, and makes recommendations, as needed. The Research Associate manages and prioritizes tasks or projects within a time frame to meet deadlines, and works semi-independently. He/she communicates clearly, in both written and verbal forms. Work Schedule: This is an intermittent position. Hours will vary depending on the current needs of the research project and typically range from 0 - 20 hours/week. Compressed/Flexible: Available 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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Research Health Science Specialist/PD5456A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/02/2024. 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-9 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. Selective Placement Factor (Screen-Out): One Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. Must demonstrate experience performing tasks such as methodological reviews, research reporting, and using statistical software such as R or Stata to perform data analysis. Individual Occupational Requirements: Basic Education Requirements: You must first meet Basic Education Requirements for this position as described below.(Transcripts are REQUIRED) Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. 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: Knowledge, skill and experience in clinical research projects and/or programs including experience following research protocols, enrolling and interviewing patients, obtaining informed consent, and collecting data (through patient interviews, survey administration, and/or electronic medical records or databases). Knowledge of Federal requirements and ethical principles regarding the protection of human subjects. Ability to manage day-to-day activities of assigned research projects for ensuring adherence to study protocols . OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education (as described above) to meet the requirements at the GS-9. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clinical Data Collection/DocumentationData ManagementResearch 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. Preferred Experience: Master's Degree in related field such as Master of Public Health (MPH) and experience working in research environments. Physical Requirements: The work is both sedentary office work where typically the employee may sit comfortably to do the work, but also walking around the health center and navigating the clinical setting, escorting patients, and being available on short notice to walk some distance across the medical campus to discuss a study with a patient. 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

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. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Jessica Kidd
• Phone: 734-596-3177
• Email: [email protected]