Summary This position serves as a Health Science Specialist - Research Study Coordinator, and is located within the Research and Development (R&D) Service at the VA Medical Center in Nashville, TN. The position is fully responsible to manage clinical tests and collect data, recruit, and manage subjects for clinical trials and provide high level technical support of projects in a comprehensive research setting, providing day-to-day support for the VA Research Program. Responsibilities 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 years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration. 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. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Provides detailed and summary information and recommendations for further actions based on the data analysis Manages implementation, control and reporting on clinical tests Implements data collection and monitors protocols for difficult clinical research studies Records data from samples and specimens to ensure that all tracking data is organized and is monitored during the progress of the study Oversees, screens, and evaluates 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 Performs informed consent process throughout the study and continuously educates participants on study processes and procedures Coordinates study participant randomization to treatment, works closely with the Research Pharmacy on study drug provision 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 Conducts quality assurance evaluations for project data and clinical research instruments, as applicable. Drafts detailed and summary reports for presentation at meetings and conferences and for publication in peer reviewed journals Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm. Various work schedules may be available, due to operational necessity and at the discretion of the supervisor. 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 To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements: BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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 a Health Science Specialist - Research Study Coordinator. (Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application) In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, you must also meet one of the following requirements. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health Science Specialist - Research Study Coordinator. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Performing a variety of tasks related to the conducting of the clinical/healthcare related research such as participant recruitment and enrollment, protocol execution, data reporting and management, and regulatory compliance; Ensured study participants were randomized; Utilizing software used for project management, data collection, and regulatory compliance to extract, organize, track, and analyze data, produce letters and memorandums, and prepare a variety of documents and presentations; and Conducting telephone and in-person interviews of human study subjects using various methods of data collection. -OR- EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. -OR- COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree) and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. 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/. Physical Demands/Working Conditions: 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. The work is performed in a research setting requiring no special considerations beyond accepted standards of safety. The work area is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or during program/project and country visits. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
