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THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED. IF YOU HAD PREVIOUSLY APPLIED, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY BUT YOU CAN MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR APPLICATION.

***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:

Manages Clinical Tests and Collects Data:

• 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 subsequent to, 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.
• Help respond to inquiries from a sponsor, clinical research coordinating center and/or site
  Pl on matters related to data, data compliance, and subject complaints related to data
  collection.
• Develop and maintain/update study database in accordance to sponsor and/or Pl's
  specifications.
• Assist Pl with data analyses and interpretation

• Oversee, screen and evaluate recruitment of candidates for clinical research studies via telephone and/or in person.
• Use objective rating techniques to identify potential candidates for participation in study where project design is complex.
• Oversee recruitment and enrollment of participants, providing information on study objectives and constraints.
• Perform informed consent process throughout the study and continuously educate participants on study processes and procedures.
• Manage subject reimbursements and travel.
• Perform day-to-day activities related to conducting and overseeing participant interview and follow-up.
• Identify study adverse events and side effects, symptoms which might require intervention or referrals in order to facilitate treatment of clinical research participants.

• Assist supervisor/PI with managing the routine, day-to-day activities and administration of the project.
• Plan, develop, complete and submit on time all required documentation/paperwork/forms for initial and continuing human subject's review.
• Provide technical guidance to research staff regarding regulations, policies and procedures applicable to the conduct of research.
• Monitor project progress and timelines as required.
• Schedule meetings, including scheduling meeting space, notifying participants, preparing the agenda, and minutes and following-up on all commitments to ensure that necessary arrangements have been made.
• Manage participant compensation, maintain compensation records and prepare invoices or electronic funds transfer for reimbursement of participants.
• Assist in the development of clinical research standard operation procedures and policies including those ensuring the protection of human subjects.
• Prepare information for research project evaluation functions.
• Gather statistical and narrative data on project status, and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• 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)

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the following Basic Education Requirement:

Basic Education Requirement: Possess a Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of this position. NOTE: You must submit copies of transcripts at the time of application. Education will not be credited without documentation. ~AND~

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement, to qualify for the GS-9 level, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Health Science Specialist - Research and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes coordinating and managing the day-to-day clinical research projects and programs; enrolling and interviewing patients and obtaining informed consent; monitoring progress of clinical research projects; conducting research investigatory processes, study-related interviewing, compilation and analysis of data; and making recommendations of findings. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~

Education: Successful completion of two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree related to the position that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~

Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (as described above). NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Communications
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Project Management
• Research

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.