Health Science Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the VHA Office of Research Oversight (ORO), Research Information Security (RIS) Workgroup, and reports to the RIS Workgroup Director. The workgroup conducts periodic reviews of VA research programs to assess compliance with research information security laws, regulations, and policies; investigates alleged serious noncompliance; and oversees facility corrective actions to resolve identified deficiencies. The specialist coordinates and conducts site reviews and investigations at VA medical facilities, including on-site, for-cause, and remote reviews focused on information security in human subjects research. The role evaluates research oversight committees and programs, reviews noncompliance and adverse-event reports and allegations, and assesses whether proposed corrective actions adequately address deficiencies and risks. It also involves interpreting complex and sometimes unclear requirements, providing research-compliance advice and technical assistance, coordinating with other offices, and preparing reports and presentations with data-driven recommendations. The specialist maintains review records and administrative and statistical reports, ensures adherence to review processes, and develops programmatic and policy recommendations and strategies for research compliance and research bioethics. The position is not authorized for virtual work. Selectees are expected to work in person unless an exception or exemption is approved. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Travel is a significant component of the program. The work is primarily sedentary, with periodic walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items. No special physical demands are required. The position may be filled at GS-13 or GS-14. Promotion to the full performance level may be possible without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion. Relocation and recruitment incentives, critical skills incentive, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
A bachelor's or graduate/higher degree with major study in a field related to medicine, health sciences, or allied sciences appropriate to the position, from an appropriately accredited program.
For GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12 in the normal line of progression. Examples include participating in research compliance site reviews and investigations; overseeing review teams; advising research personnel; establishing review standards; evaluating oversight committee actions; coordinating with other offices; and assessing corrective actions.
For GS-14: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-13 in the normal line of progression. Examples include leading review teams, independently conducting site reviews and investigations, evaluating complex research protocols, leading coordination with other offices, preparing data-driven reports and recommendations, reviewing noncompliance and adverse-event reports and allegations, and analyzing complex or unclear requirements.
Current or former federal employees applying at GS-13 or GS-14 must meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-12 for GS-13, or 52 weeks at GS-13 for GS-14.
Submit a transcript with the application. Foreign education used to meet qualification requirements must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding; provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Health Care Personnel.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Physical work is primarily sedentary, with periodic walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and significant program travel.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (e.g., PhD) in a biological, biomedical, health science, or similar field.
Major course of study or degree in health informatics, computer science, or cybersecurity.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade conducting biomedical or clinical research as a principal investigator in a healthcare setting, academic institution, or federal agency; research conducted solely to fulfill degree requirements does not count.
Experience managing large organizational-level research datasets or databases and implementing information security and privacy policies to ensure compliant data use and sharing.
Knowledge of principles, methods, and tools that perform super intelligence (SI) functions.

Responsibilities

Conduct site reviews and investigations at VA medical facilities to evaluate compliance with laws, regulations, and policies governing VA research.
Oversee or lead review teams conducting on-site, for-cause, and remote research-compliance reviews focused on information security in human subjects research.
Provide research-compliance advice and technical assistance to research personnel.
Develop reports and presentations that summarize analyses and propose supported, data-driven recommendations.
Evaluate research oversight committee and program determinations and actions for compliance with applicable requirements.
Analyze complex laws, regulations, policies, and guidance and make supportable findings of noncompliance, including where requirements or applicability are unclear.
Coordinate with other offices on research, research information security, and privacy-related practices.
Evaluate whether proposed actions will fully resolve research noncompliance or mitigate apparent research-related risks.
Review and evaluate research noncompliance and adverse-event reports and allegations submitted to ORO.
Document review actions and outcomes according to established tracking rules.
Keep current with applicable statutes, regulations, policies, guidance, and best practices in human subjects research, research information security, and privacy.
Coordinate all aspects of site reviews and investigations and ensure compliance with established review processes.
Maintain records and prepare administrative and statistical reports for review processes.
Make programmatic and policy interpretations and recommendations.
Develop strategies reflecting promising directions in research compliance and research bioethics.