Summary The Program Support Assistant will be working at the William S. Middleton VA Healthcare System, Madison, WI, assisting with medical research and study protocols. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Major duties and responsibilities include: Screening and assessing candidates for projects of moderate complexity. Conducting the research informed consent process (explains purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, alternatives, privacy, contact information, payment processes, etc.) and obtaining written informed consent from subjects who choose to participate in the study. Supporting qualitative interviewers in scheduling, setting up technology, file storage, and transferring to transcription service for interviews. Supporting investigators in developing observation protocols. Traveling to sites to observe healthcare practices and communicating professionally and clearly with all site personnel. Following all data collection procedures as designated by the study-specific protocol. Entering data in appropriate forms and manners as designated by the study-specific protocol and ensures that files are complete and correct. Planning work to meet deadlines for routine and specifically requested reports and data. Working independently with minimum direction, adjusting to varying amounts of work, using time efficiently, being self-motivated, solving problems, and working with individuals with varied technical backgrounds. Independently drafting correspondence and writing/editing/producing reports. Experience in data entry operations, computer programming and/or use of statistical package programs. Developing materials for and participation in meetings with patients, investigators, staff, and funding agency personnel as appropriate. Maintaining complex existing databases and data spreadsheet files and the use of specialized software. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Requirements 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-7 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Program Support Assistant, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes experience with medical research and study protocols (i.e. enrolling/consenting patients, investigatory processes, assembling information for reports, maintaining records, and responding to communications). maintaining complex existing databases, data spreadsheet files and utilizing specialized software; supports research investigators. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communications 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 nature of the work places no special physical demands. The work includes standing, walking, and carrying of light items such as paper or books. The work is performed in an office, clinic, and hospital setting requiring no special consideration beyond establishing procedures for fire and safety protection. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.