Health Science Specialist

The position performs professional database development, coordination, and technical management in a comprehensive research setting, providing day-to-day data management and site support for the VA Research Program. The VA Research Program strives to promote Veteran-centered care to improve patient experiences and outcomes across VA healthcare and community settings, and to advance value-driven care by providing Veterans the highest quality care at the lowest financial burden.

**Qualifications:**
Basic Education Requirement: 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 (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. A transcript is required at the time of application. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement as identified above, you must meet the following specialized experience for this position: Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must also have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of a Health Science Specialist and has equipped you with the professional knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices in database development and management to support the organization's health services research program. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Clinical science and/or public health research experience interpreting the meaning of research data and recognizing errors and the possible causes of errors in datasets Using reporting software packages such as SQL to validate, view and analyze data. Performing technical and medical writing such as clinical protocol development and manuscript writing Developing and maintaining databases. Experience with and knowledge of computer hardware, database software, programming techniques to include, but not limited to SQL, SAS, HTML, and graphical data display. - OR - Education: You may substitute the specialized experience with education if you possess 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this. 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 level education and specialized experience may also be used to meet 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. 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. 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/.