The Health Science Specialist position will serve in the Regional Research Office, Office of Research and Development, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Tucson, AZ.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed four (4) years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than one (1) year but not more than four (4)). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the four (4) year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. Duties will include but are not limited to the following: Manages Clinical Tests and Collects Data: Manages implementation, controls and reports on clinical tests. Implements data collection and monitor protocols for difficult clinical research studies. Administer or monitor administration of tests and measurements required by project design. Records data from samples and specimens to ensure that all tracking data is organized and is monitored during the progress of the study. Identifies test results and trends requiring further analysis. Maintains all study and regulatory records. Coordinates the accomplishment of the scientific (merit) review and evaluation of research programs to provide recommendations or decisions for program strategies, modifications, budgeting, or improvements. Participates in initial classification and coding of qualitative/quantitative data and entering coding data into qualitative/quantitative software. Participates in activities preparing for, and subsequent to, collection of study data. Assists with data analysis from a variety of sources, including databases and spreadsheets, and conceive and write reports as needed. Recruits and Manages Candidates for Clinical Trials: Oversees, screen, and evaluate recruitment of candidates for clinical research studies via telephone and/or in person. Uses objective rating techniques to identify potential candidates for participation in study where project design is complex. Oversees recruitment and enrollment of participants, providing information on study objectives and constraints. Performs informed consent process throughout the study and continuously educate participants on study processes and procedures. Obtains verbal and/or written informed consent, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization, and background demographic information (as needed) from patients ensuring that the process adheres to HIPAA, information security and other federal regulations regarding confidentiality and the conduct of human subjects' research. Research Project Support: Assists supervisor with managing the routine, day-to-day activities, and administration of the project. Plans, develops, completes, and submits on time all required documentation/paperwork/forms for initial and continuing human subject's review. Analyzes processes and documentation to ensure compliance with all technical, regulatory requirements, and information safety regulations. Regularly review guidance, policies, and procedures to maintain regulatory compliance. Conducts quality assurance evaluations for project data and clinical research instruments, as applicable. Establish and monitor remediation plans to correct deficiencies. Provides technical guidance to research staff regarding regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to the conduct of research. Technical guidance may require understanding resources and/or appropriate individuals from whom to obtain needed information to be applied in the context of a study. Monitors project progress and timeliness as required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized 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. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English to meet the requirements of this position. and BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: must have successful completion of a full four (4) year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of this position. (The number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the amount specified by the college or university attended. If this number cannot be obtained, twenty-four (24) semester hours will be considered as equivalent to a major field of study). (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) and ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must also possess specialized experience and/or additional directly related education to qualify for this position as described below. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: Must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equipped with the knowledge, skill, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position. This specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes having knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices in the scientific area to support the organization's health science program; processes professional awareness of clinical microbiology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, and patient care practices in order to develop, implement and evaluate the Infection Prevention and Control Program; uses skills in applying this knowledge to the development of new methods, approaches, or procedures in the coordination of projects or clinical demonstration studies; maintains understanding of computer systems and data processing in order to utilize available automated data processing resources; capable of performing complex analytical studies and interpretation of results to coordinate the evaluation of programs and policies, to recommend improvements; retains working knowledge of software programs designed for database management, spreadsheet analysis, word processing, statistical analysis, and graphic displays. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE GS-11: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree with a major in a field appropriate to the work of the position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One (1) year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, eighteen (18) semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study.(Transcripts Required) OR COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GS-11: Must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and Specialized Experience directly related to the work of the position, as outlined for GS-11 above. (Transcript Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Project ManagementResearchTechnical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with occasional walking, standing, and handling and carrying items such as paper and books. There may be occasion needs to assist study participants with mobility to study location(s). Some travel will be required. 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

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Tucson ORD VISN 22 2525 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85716 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]