Health System Specialist

Full Job Description

The Health System Specialist position is in the Research and Development Service of the South Texas Health Care System (STVHCS).

The primary responsibilities of the incumbent are to serve as the Program Manager and Specialist for multiple regulatory committees.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/27/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) 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 System Specialist.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of and skill in applying Federal, State and VA laws, rules, and regulations relative to compliance and the conduct of investigative studies involving human subjects, animal study research, research safety and security, and research information security, knowledge in ethical principles, laws, regulations, and policies governing the review and approval of human subject research, knowledge and skill to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing, interpersonal skill to provide assistance and advice to individuals and groups and adjusts approaches to suit different people and situations, knowledge of and skill in applying qualitative and/or quantitative, methodologies, and techniques of analysis and evaluation, ability to assess the performance of research systems or activities through evaluation of written materials and interviews, and Ability to use MS Word, Outlook, and Excel for word processing, communications, data manipulation and data storage aspects of work.

OR, Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, Or LL.M in the related field of the position to be filled (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration).

The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

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.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above 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 (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration).

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/.

Major Duties:

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Oversees and manages programs and their activities, including preparation of committee and reviewer materials with appropriate documentation, ensuring projects are reviewed by appropriate personnel, and ensuring all outstanding issues related to project management are resolved in a timely manner.

Serves in an advisory capacity to the R&D Leadership, research investigators, research committee members, and research committee Chairs and others on issues relative to carrying out the institution's research activities involving the use of humans, animals, and safety procedures for investigative purposes.

Serves as the accreditation Facility Liaison, e.g., Association for the Assessment and Accreditation for Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), human accreditation, etc., and is responsible for the preparation of accreditation applications, maintenance of standard operating procedures in accordance with accreditation agency standards, maintenance of institutional forms in accordance with accreditation agency standards, and maintenance of committee operations in accordance with accreditation agency standards.

Oversees the protocol review process of multiple programs and committees, ensuring projects are reviewed by appropriate personnel, including the Information System and Security Officer (ISSO) and Privacy Officer (PO), and issues related to project management are resolved.

Serves in an advisory capacity to committee members and committee support staff and provides education and guidance on applicable policies and procedures.

Develops and maintains a pre-review program that will coincide with the IRB, IACUC, SRS, IBC, CIRB, and/or R&D Committee review of all research involving human subjects, animal subjects, basic laboratory science and the human research protection program.

Develops and manages required annual and semi-annual reviews of the assigned programs to include Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP), Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), Research Safety and Security Program (RSSP), as well as developing and managing the post approval monitoring program for assigned committees.

Stays informed on guidelines relating to human subject protection, animal protection, and guidelines relating to security and safety in research and advises Research and IRB leadership, as needed.

Ensures that human subject research, animal research, and biomedical laboratory work conducted in research space are reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance with appropriate Federal, State, and VA regulations and guidelines, funding agency-specific guidelines, institutional policies, and appropriate accreditation standards.

Responsible for efficient and compliant processes for research project review, approval, and the oversight of human subjects' research performed by IRBs and other research committees.

Serves as the institutional contact to answer questions related to human subject protection, animal care and use, and biosafety protection regulation and policy.

Develops reporting procedures, sampling techniques, and measurements at various points in the research committee process and research programs to identify problem areas or inherent weaknesses in work processes, procedures, information systems and content.

Reports any complaints from subjects or others, unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects or others, unanticipated serious adverse events, suspension, or termination of research activities, and apparent serious or continuing non-compliance to the VA Central IRB.

Prepares policy guidance, develops, reviews, and updates standard operating procedures, motivational materials, and information to facilitate participation in important animal, human, and safety research protection program initiatives.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD99586S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized