Health Science Specialist Research Study Coordinator

***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 3 years). Term appointments are non-status nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 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 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.

The Research Study Coordinator manages clinical tests collects data and recruits and manages subjects for clinical trials while providing high-level technical support of projects in a comprehensive research setting. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Manages Clinical Tests and Collects Data

• Collects and analyzes data educates and interacts with study participants and leadership.
• 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.
• Administers or monitors 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.
• Prepares project and statistical reports for review process.

Recruits and Manages Candidates for Clinical Trials

• 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.
• Performs day-to-day activities related to conducting and overseeing participant interviews and follow-up.
• Coordinates study participant randomization to treatment works closely with the Research Pharmacy on study drug provision.

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 subjects 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.
• Establishes and monitors remediation plans to correct deficiencies.
• Drafts detailed and summary reports for presentation at meetings and conferences and for publication in peer reviewed journals.
• Compiles and produces educational and training materials; determines contents needed for training binders and tools.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework.

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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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 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 Education Requirement: Bachelors 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 (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. A transcript is required at the time of application.

To qualify at the GS-11 level you must also meet one of the following minimum qualification requirements in addition to the basic education requirement above.

Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Health Science Specialist - Research Study Coordinator and provided you with knowledge of the full scope of activities required in conducting single and/or multi-site clinical research including study/project management human subjects protection and regulatory and policy compliance. To be creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. 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
• Screening and evaluating the recruitment of candidates for clinical research studies
• Analyzing processes and documentation to ensure compliance with all technical regulatory requirements and information safety regulations
• 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
• Conducting telephone and in-person interviews of human study subjects using various methods of data collection

-OR-
Education: You may substitute the specialized experience with education if you possess successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with a major in a field appropriate to the work of this position that provided the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work is qualifying at the GS-11 grade level. NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
-OR-
Combination: A combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

NOTE: One (1) full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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.


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

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

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 occasional need 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 lighted heated and ventilated. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or during program/project and country visits.


For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at