Health Science Specialist

Summary This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VHA, at the John Dingell VAMC in the Research and Development (R&D) Service, in Detroit, Michigan. The position is fully responsible for managing clinical tests, ensuring development, coordination, and technical management of databases, collecting data, recruiting, and managing subjects for clinical trials and providing high level site support of projects in a research setting, providing day-to-day support for the VA Research Program Duties ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Develop and maintain/update study database in accordance to sponsor and/or Pl's specifications. Manage implementation, control and reporting on clinical tests. Implement data collection and monitor protocols for difficult clinical research studies. Administer or monitor administration of tests and measurements required by project design. Record data from samples and specimens to ensure that all tracking data is organized and is monitored during the progress of the study. Identify test results and trends requiring further analysis. Prepare project and statistical reports for review process. Participate in initial classification and coding of qualitative/quantitative data and entering coding data into qualitative/quantitative software. Participate in activities in preparation of, and after, collection of study data. Assist with data analysis from a variety of sources, including databases and spreadsheets, and conceive and write reports as needed. Monitor data collection processes ensuring data integrity and completeness. respond to inquiries from a sponsor, clinical research coordinating center and/or site Pl on matters related to data, and data compliance, and subject complaints related to data collection. Assist supervisor/PI with managing the routine, day-to-day activities and administration of the projects. Draft detailed summary reports for presentation at meetings and conferences and for publication in peer-reviewed journal articles. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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 dentification 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 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. Qualifications Basic Requirement: The following are basic requirements for appointment as a Health System Specialist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which all applicants must meet. Basic Education: Must have a 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 at the time the degree was obtained. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed. Minimum Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements as described above, one of the following minimum requirement criteria must be met to be qualified for this position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: (GS-09): You must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (i.e., GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying examples of specialized experience include experience managing implementation, control and reporting on clinical tests, recording data from samples and specimens, monitoring data collection processes ensuring data integrity and completeness, administering or monitoring administration of tests and measurements required by project design, perform day-to-day activities related to conducting and overseeing participant interviews and follow-up, creating and maintaining complex research databases, planning, develop, complete, and submit on time all required documentation/paperwork/forms for initial and continuing human subjects review, conducting research investigatory processes, study-related interviewing, compilation and analysis of data; and making recommendations of findings.(CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.) Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.) OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Must have two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. Note: You must provide a copy of your transcripts to receive consideration. OR COMBINATION OF BOTH EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Must have combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (as stated above) and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Note: You must provide a copy of your transcripts to receive consideration. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Manages and Organizes Information Project Management Research Specimen Collection 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 an occasion need to assist study participants with mobility to study location(s). 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. 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). Additional information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.