This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/586366600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Summary
This position is located with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Office of the Director OR Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement. The duty location for this position is Rockville, MD.
For more information about AHRQ, click the "Learn more about the Agency" Box.
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Overview
- Hiring complete
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Open & closing dates
12/17/2020 to 01/07/2021
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Salary
$28.53 - $28.53 per hour
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Pay scale & grade
RG 00
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Location
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
Not required
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Temporary - Temporary not to exceed eighty-nine (89) days.
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Work schedule
Full-Time
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Service
Excepted
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Promotion potential
None
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Announcement number
HHS-AHRQ-21-RG-10981794
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Control number
586366600
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This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Open to U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents.
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Duties
The AHRQ Intramural Fellowship Program provides opportunities for individuals to work with leading health services researchers in the conduct and support of research on "real life" issues that support the Agency's mission and contributes to improvements in health care. Fellows are also afforded the opportunity to work with administrative protocols, gain access to AHRQ-sponsored data sets, and apply statistical analysis methods to broaden the Fellow's understanding of health services research and the Agency effect on the health care system. Junior fellows are generally involved as part of a team responsible for conducting research and performing research-related activities. At this level, research studies generally have clear and specific objectives and involve investigations having a limited number of variables and self-directed work in planning and carrying out research activities.
AHRQ's 2021 Junior Service Fellows Program will provide opportunities for Fellows to work in the Office of the Director or the Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement.
The Office of the Director has the following research project available:
Project 1: This project deals with analyzing health policy priority interests and designing a health policy education strategy.
Description: COVID-19 has exposed the inadequacies of the U.S. healthcare system, such as low medical capacity, high rates of chronic conditions and racial and racial, ethnic and income disparities and high costs. Many policymakers will be focused on how we can address these issues to help ensure that patients are receiving safe and high quality care. As the lead federal agency with a mission to improve healthcare across the delivery system, AHRQ is well positioned to support this work and provide answers that can help improve health care for all Americans.
AHRQ's Junior Service Fellows will work within the Office of the Director and help AHRQ align and communicate the Agency's work to key stakeholders, including members of Congress and their staff. This fellowship will provide an opportunity to study and analyze health care policymaking at the federal level and how these policies impact AHRQ's work and our health care system at large. The Fellow will have the opportunity to construct a resource database and help design a dissemination plan to educate AHRQ's key stakeholders about its programs and activities. The Fellow will work directly AHRQ's Director, Deputy Director, and Senior Advisors.
The Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement (CEPI) is seeking Junior Service Fellows to work on one of the five following research projects:
Project 1: This research project deals with Electronic-Care (E-Care) Planning for People Living with Multiple Chronic Conditions and Disability.
Description: The Junior Service Fellow will develop an accessible, interoperable, person-centered electronic (e-) care plan, including standard data elements, that facilitate movement of clinical, contextual/social determinants of health (SDoH), and individual goals and preferences data across healthcare settings (e.g., primary care, specialty care, hospital, community). The e-care plan is a FHIR based API with clinician and patient facing components. The Fellow will participate in a multi-agency research team, and national technical expert panels, developing and testing an interoperable e-care plan. The Fellow will also have an opportunity to work on a white paper/manuscript on e-care planning for people with multiple chronic conditions.
Project 2: This research project deals with Racial Bias in Algorithms Used in Health Care.
Description: Congress has requested that AHRQ conduct a review of the use of race-based clinical algorithms in standard medical practice. Several recent analyses suggest that clinical algorithms can lead to disparities in care and questions have been raised about issues such as the use of race as a proxy in the development of algorithms and potential biases in data sets used for training artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms. The Junior Service Fellow will analyze written responses to a Request for Information about the use of algorithms and potential racial bias in clinical practice using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The Junior Service Fellow will also assist with analyses of key informant interviews and with the development of the protocol for the review.
Project list continued below.
Description: Congress has requested that AHRQ conduct a review of the use of race-based clinical algorithms in standard medical practice. Several recent analyses suggest that clinical algorithms can lead to disparities in care and questions have been raised about issues such as the use of race as a proxy in the development of algorithms and potential biases in data sets used for training artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms. The Junior Service Fellow will analyze written responses to a Request for Information about the use of algorithms and potential racial bias in clinical practice using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The Junior Service Fellow will also assist with analyses of key informant interviews and with the development of the protocol for the review.
Project list continued below.
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Description: Assessing the existence of shared decision making during clinical encounters is challenging. The established technique of doing so, i.e., audio and/or video recordings of the patient-clinician interaction (especially outside of a research study), also has challenges (e.g., ethical, privacy, technical). Health plans may require and pay for shared decision making in select circumstances (e.g., lung cancer screening). Checking a box in an electronic health record that shared decision making occurred is inadequate; indeed, research has shown that neither clinicians or patients are correct in their understanding of when shared decision making has occurred. The Junior Service Fellow will scope out the landscape of existing health care information data models and those specific to shared decision making, if any, and, depending on the results, use them to present a draft data model that could be tested. A digital capture of the shared decision making encounter in an electronic health record system is the ultimate goal.
Description: AHRQ's Health Care Innovation Exchange hosts profiles of innovative service delivery strategies implemented in the 'real-world' to improve health care quality and tools used to support quality improvement efforts. The Innovations Exchange lost funding in 2016 and its web site, innovations.ahrq.gov, has aged - both its content and the technology supporting it. Decisions need to be made about which content should be ported over to a microsite on ahrq.gov (to be developed by others), thereby offering continued public access to it, and which content should be retired. The Junior Service Fellow will work on AHRQ's Health Care Innovation Exchange website and make recommendations on the content and technology supporting it. The fellow will use qualitative techniques to gain insight from web site analytics and information gathered from select internal and external key informants about the content to inform those decisions.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic Requirements:
Applicants must possess a 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 at the time the degree was obtained.
Additional Qualification Requirements:
In addition to the basic requirement, a Master's degree (or equivalent graduate training) in a health related or research field. (Career civil service equivalent GS-09.)
Only U.S. citizens or citizens who have gained U.S. citizenship through naturalization may be considered. Applicants who are non-immigrant visa holders or immigrant green card holders (i.e., permanent residents) are ineligible for consideration. Successful applicants should possess an advanced degree (a master's degree or higher level degree) with a concentration in Health Services Research, (e.g., Economics, Sociology, Statistics, Epidemiology) or a Health-related or Research field. In addition, applicants should possess and be able to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of research, statistics, and scientific terminology and an ability to communicate information orally and in writing.
Junior Fellows will be assigned a senior-level researcher, who will provide guidance and direction regarding the assigned research projects as well as the principles and protocols that guide the conduct of health services research. Additionally, the senior-level researcher will establish a curriculum for the Fellow to ensure a successful experience with the Agency. The curriculum will include, but is not limited to:
To preview the occupational assessment questionnaire, please click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10981794
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
1. Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security re-investigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
2. E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify participant.
3. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
4. All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/07/2021.
5. Financial disclosure statement is required.
6. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be paid: NO
7. Bargaining Unit Position: NO
8. Recruitment incentives may be authorized: NO
9. Student loan repayment incentive may be authorized: NO
10. Annual leave for non-federal service may be authorized: NO
Qualifications
PROJECTS CONTINUED:
Project 3: This research project deals with existing shared decision making information data models.Description: Assessing the existence of shared decision making during clinical encounters is challenging. The established technique of doing so, i.e., audio and/or video recordings of the patient-clinician interaction (especially outside of a research study), also has challenges (e.g., ethical, privacy, technical). Health plans may require and pay for shared decision making in select circumstances (e.g., lung cancer screening). Checking a box in an electronic health record that shared decision making occurred is inadequate; indeed, research has shown that neither clinicians or patients are correct in their understanding of when shared decision making has occurred. The Junior Service Fellow will scope out the landscape of existing health care information data models and those specific to shared decision making, if any, and, depending on the results, use them to present a draft data model that could be tested. A digital capture of the shared decision making encounter in an electronic health record system is the ultimate goal.
Project 4: This research project deals with substance use disorder initiatives.
Description: The Junior Service Fellow to conduct several environmental scans to inform the development of AHRQ's substance use disorder portfolio. The Department of Health and Human Services has identified the opioid epidemic as a key priority and launched a 5-point strategy to combat the opioid crisis in 2017. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, drug overdose deaths have increased significantly and, in many regions, the substance of choice has transitioned from opioids to stimulants or to polysubstance use. AHRQ has several ongoing initiatives in substance use disorder including projects to expand medication-assisted treatment in rural communities, to screen and treat unhealthy alcohol use in primary care, and to address unhealthy opioid use in older adults, and AHRQ is well positioned to help address the Substance Use Disorder crisis more broadly. The Junior Service Fellow will build on AHRQ's current substance use disorder work and synthesize data from sources within AHRQ and across HHS to identify key areas of need in evidence synthesis and healthcare services research. The fellow will summarize these findings in a series of briefs which AHRQ can use in conceptualizing future Substance Use Disorder initiatives.
Project 5: This research project deals with assessing content from the AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange - What stays, what goes?Description: The Junior Service Fellow to conduct several environmental scans to inform the development of AHRQ's substance use disorder portfolio. The Department of Health and Human Services has identified the opioid epidemic as a key priority and launched a 5-point strategy to combat the opioid crisis in 2017. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, drug overdose deaths have increased significantly and, in many regions, the substance of choice has transitioned from opioids to stimulants or to polysubstance use. AHRQ has several ongoing initiatives in substance use disorder including projects to expand medication-assisted treatment in rural communities, to screen and treat unhealthy alcohol use in primary care, and to address unhealthy opioid use in older adults, and AHRQ is well positioned to help address the Substance Use Disorder crisis more broadly. The Junior Service Fellow will build on AHRQ's current substance use disorder work and synthesize data from sources within AHRQ and across HHS to identify key areas of need in evidence synthesis and healthcare services research. The fellow will summarize these findings in a series of briefs which AHRQ can use in conceptualizing future Substance Use Disorder initiatives.
Description: AHRQ's Health Care Innovation Exchange hosts profiles of innovative service delivery strategies implemented in the 'real-world' to improve health care quality and tools used to support quality improvement efforts. The Innovations Exchange lost funding in 2016 and its web site, innovations.ahrq.gov, has aged - both its content and the technology supporting it. Decisions need to be made about which content should be ported over to a microsite on ahrq.gov (to be developed by others), thereby offering continued public access to it, and which content should be retired. The Junior Service Fellow will work on AHRQ's Health Care Innovation Exchange website and make recommendations on the content and technology supporting it. The fellow will use qualitative techniques to gain insight from web site analytics and information gathered from select internal and external key informants about the content to inform those decisions.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic Requirements:
Applicants must possess a 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 at the time the degree was obtained.
Additional Qualification Requirements:
In addition to the basic requirement, a Master's degree (or equivalent graduate training) in a health related or research field. (Career civil service equivalent GS-09.)
Only U.S. citizens or citizens who have gained U.S. citizenship through naturalization may be considered. Applicants who are non-immigrant visa holders or immigrant green card holders (i.e., permanent residents) are ineligible for consideration. Successful applicants should possess an advanced degree (a master's degree or higher level degree) with a concentration in Health Services Research, (e.g., Economics, Sociology, Statistics, Epidemiology) or a Health-related or Research field. In addition, applicants should possess and be able to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of research, statistics, and scientific terminology and an ability to communicate information orally and in writing.
Junior Fellows will be assigned a senior-level researcher, who will provide guidance and direction regarding the assigned research projects as well as the principles and protocols that guide the conduct of health services research. Additionally, the senior-level researcher will establish a curriculum for the Fellow to ensure a successful experience with the Agency. The curriculum will include, but is not limited to:
- Identification of background materials relevant for research assignments to ensure the Fellow's success.
- Attendance at Agency seminars and brown bag lectures and external experiences to clarify the Agency's role in the field of health services research and the broader health care community,
- Information regarding the Agency's programs, vision, and activities to fully understand AHRQ's research endeavors and goals.
To preview the occupational assessment questionnaire, please click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10981794
Education
This position has an education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades) to document that you have met the education requirement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required prior to your starting work.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.
Additional information
This is an Excepted Service position under Title 42. Applications will be accepted from all groups of qualified persons (i.e., U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents). No previous federal experience is required. This appointment does not confer any entitlement to conversion to a position in the competitive service.
Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please see Agency Contact Information for whom to contact for more info. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. You must contact the HR contact on the vacancy announcement at least three business days before the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance.Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450 form) is required. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989, Executive Order 12674, and 5 C.F.R. Part 2634, Subpart I, require individuals who are assigned to certain designated positions in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, to file an annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450 Form). Please be advised that you will receive an OGE-450 form and it is required that you complete and return this form. A formal official job offer cannot be extended until you have submitted this form and been cleared by AHRQ's ethics officials. As an AHRQ employee, you will also be required to file an annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450). In addition, you may be required to: (1) divest of certain financial interests, or (2) maintain certain financial interests below the de minimis levels of: (1) $15,000 (individual stock) and (2) $50,000 (stocks or sector-specific mutual/exchange traded fund combined). 5 C.F.R. 2640.202
Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.Selective Service: The Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that all male applicants born after 12/31/59 who are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, be registered or they are not eligible for appointment to this position. For further information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/.Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in the vacancy announcement may result in your ineligibility for this position.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
- College transcripts. Copies of transcripts are acceptable, however, originals will be required before entrance on duty
- Brief statement of research interests and accomplishments
- Project selection(s)
- Three references
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/07/2021 to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
- It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants please note: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit any of the documentation listed below unless specifically requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your resume:
- Diplomas of any type (When education documents are required, you must submit unofficial transcripts)
- Letters of Recommendation, Reference, or Congratulations, etc.
- General training documents or certificates of completed training (Except Contract Specialist positions when requested in the announcement)
- Any documents with a picture of the applicant (Except medical or nursing licenses when requested in the announcement)
- Awards documentation including SF-50s for Awards
- Performance Appraisals (Only ICTAP/CTAP eligible applicants need to submit their latest performance appraisal)
- Evaluations of any type
- Writing Samples
- OF-306
- Executive Core Qualifications Statements (ECQs)
Agency contact information
AskHR HRSA Helpdesk
- Address
-
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
US
Next steps
Once your online questionnaire is received you will be sent an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We will update your status after each key stage in the application process has been completed. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJobs profile. check the status
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Help
Required Documents
Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
- College transcripts. Copies of transcripts are acceptable, however, originals will be required before entrance on duty
- Brief statement of research interests and accomplishments
- Project selection(s)
- Three references
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants please note: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit any of the documentation listed below unless specifically requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your resume:
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/07/2021 to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
- It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants please note: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit any of the documentation listed below unless specifically requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your resume:
- Diplomas of any type (When education documents are required, you must submit unofficial transcripts)
- Letters of Recommendation, Reference, or Congratulations, etc.
- General training documents or certificates of completed training (Except Contract Specialist positions when requested in the announcement)
- Any documents with a picture of the applicant (Except medical or nursing licenses when requested in the announcement)
- Awards documentation including SF-50s for Awards
- Performance Appraisals (Only ICTAP/CTAP eligible applicants need to submit their latest performance appraisal)
- Evaluations of any type
- Writing Samples
- OF-306
- Executive Core Qualifications Statements (ECQs)
Agency contact information
AskHR HRSA Helpdesk
- Address
-
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
US
Next steps
Once your online questionnaire is received you will be sent an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We will update your status after each key stage in the application process has been completed. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJobs profile. check the status
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the lead Federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of America's health care system. AHRQ develops the knowledge, tools, and data needed to improve the health care system and help Americans, health care professionals, and policymakers make informed health decisions. For information on the AHRQ mission, goals, centers and offices, visit https://www.ahrq.gov/.
Agency contact information
AskHR HRSA Helpdesk
- Address
-
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
US