Program Support Assistant

Summary This position is located in Cooperative Studies Program (CSP), in the Office of Research and Development at the Department (ORD) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Medical Center, in Dayton, OH. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of functions, including supporting the Research Coordinator and Local Site Investigator by performing both clinical and administrative tasks. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Assists in conducting the trial as delegated by the Local Site Investigator (LSI). Ensures all aspects of processes related to participant recruitment, conducting the informed consent are met. Applies inherent creative problem-solving to meet strong subject recruitment goals. Interacts with internal and area medical professionals to communicate the study and recruit subjects. Creates and distribute media advertisements, including Dayton VA Medical Center ads on digital monitors in waiting areas and common areas, wallet cards, etc. Responds to subject/patient queries or occasionally clinical crisis, requiring the ability to triage the calls/contacts for medical and psychiatric safety with the help of supervising staff. Interacts with participants to schedule specimen collection and contacting participants for follow-up meetings. Enters and records research data, including fairly technical tools such as MINI and the Timeline Follow-Back tool assessing for recent drug use or alcohol use, and various other psychiatric measures. Perform other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Part Time, 8:00am - 12:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved NOTE: This is a part-time position (20 hours/week). The salary listed represents full-time employment and will be pro-rated based on the actual number of hours worked each pay-period. Likewise, benefits and time-off accrual will also be prorated and based on your part-time work schedule. 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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 apply for this position, you must have the following qualifications: To qualify for this position at the GS-7 level, you must meet the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is: Assist in conducting trials as delegated by the Local Site Investigator (LSI); Ensures all aspects of processes related to participant, recruitment, conducting informed consent are met; Interacts with participants to schedule specimen collection, and contacts participants for follow-up meetings; Responds to queries or clinical crisis, requiring the ability to triage these calls, contact medical and psychiatric safety with the support from supervising staff; Enters and records research data using technical tools such as MINI and Timeline Follow-Back tool assessing for recent drug use or alcohol use, and various other psychiatric measures. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at 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; religions; 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. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. There may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as focus group audio visual equipment, Xerox paper and books. There may also be required work involving walking to and from the main Dayton VA campus or traveling to Community-Based Outpatient clinics. 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 Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration