Health Science Specialist (Quality Assurance)

VA Boston Healthcare System

Boston, MA 02130

The position is based within the VA Boston Healthcare System, a leading healthcare system in New England that serves as a premier referral center and a major recipient of research funding. 

We are seeking a Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist to be responsible for developing programs to ensure that a high level of continuous quality improvement assurance, philosophy, and practices are planned, implemented, and maintained within a clinical trials research coordinating center. These programs will identify, prevent, and correct unsatisfactory conditions and elements that influence the regulatory correctness and responsiveness of clinical trials.

Salary Range: $69,905 - $90,882 (GS9)

Location: Ability to work at the primary office location of Lafayette City Center in Boston, MA. This is NOT a remote/virtual position.

Responsible for: 

• Monitoring policies, processes, and procedures, ensuring that Good Clinical Practice (GCP) performance and product quality conforms to established standards and agency guidelines
• Monitoring quality program implementation and indicators
• Identifying operational activities that meet, exceed or fail to meet established criteria
• Investigating and analyzing adverse quality trends or conditions and recommending corrective action plans
• Identifying areas requiring further analysis
• Recommending courses of action to the Senior Quality Assurance Specialist and Directors
• Development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Coordination and conduct of internal audits
• Development and implementation of training materials and presenting training to all staff to ensure proficiency in all phases of applicable quality systems operations

Minimum Qualifications:

1. MUST be a US Citizen and MUST clear a US government background check
2. Resume must indicate full-time or part-time for each position listed under work experience. Part-time positions should also include # of hours.
3. DEGREE: Health Science Specialist: 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.
4. EXPERIENCE: Must have at least one year of related experience at the lower GS level. Per OPM, the minimum qualification requirements are one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service (GS-8 for GS-9 fills) or education substitution for GS-9 research jobs (Master’s or equivalent graduate degree in a related field to the position being hired into)

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Knowledge of quality assurance principles and methods to develop plans, policies, and procedures for quality assurance programs to be implemented across research centers
2. Knowledge of the theory and principles of QA management and organization, including administrative practices and procedures common to research organizations
3. Skill in corrective and preventive action, and root cause analysis to apply to the evaluation and resolution of complex quality problems
4. Skill in defining problems, analyzing alternatives, and recommending solutions to standardize quality assurance activities and provide technical advice to staff
5. Skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of research issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature
6. Ability to use qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques
7. Skill in conducting interviews with supervisors and employees to obtain information about organizational missions, functions, and work procedures regarding clinical trials
8. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing to provide training, negotiate compliance issues, provide reports, and complete audits

POINT OF CONTACT FOR POSITION: Applicants should submit a cover letter (including confirmation of US citizenship), CV, and unofficial transcripts via email with the subject line: “Health Science Specialist - Quality Assurance (GS-9),” to: Eric.Rockefeller@va.gov by July 1st, 2026. 

EEO/Equal Opportunity Employer