SQL Programmer at VA Boston Healthcare System in Boston, MA

SQL Programmer

VA Boston Healthcare System

Boston, MA 02130

The role is based within a leading healthcare system in New England that serves as a major referral center and a hub for clinical research. The organization is seeking a SQL Programmer to support the Boston Cooperative Studies Coordinating Center portfolio. The position offers the opportunity to collaborate on data-driven projects that inform clinical decision-making and enhance outcomes for diverse patient populations.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Data Operations, the SQL programmer will assist in data management and cleaning, analysis, and annotation across multiple national clinical trials. The program integrates clinical outcomes, health services, and qualitative data to generate evidence that informs both retrospective analyses and prospective implementation. This work supports a learning healthcare system in which insights from existing data directly guide the development, testing, and refinement of clinical decision support and care delivery strategies for patients.

You will join a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, statisticians, and data scientists at a nationally recognized VA healthcare system. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply data science skills to high-impact research that translates real-world evidence into improved, patient-centered cancer care.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Work with individual investigators to conceptually develop databases, data collection, and data extraction tools specifically for each project
• Set and maintain data management systems using tools such as R, SAS, and SQL
• Implement data collection and monitor protocols for difficult and/or complex research and clinical studies
• Perform programming and retrieval of selected data sets from very large research, clinical, or administrative databases located at local, regional, and national databases, both internal and external to the VA
• Generate reports and graphics to be distributed internally and nationally
• Perform analyses and present results and reports that are clear, understandable, and accurate
• Participate in data management including cleaning data and preparing data files for analysis
• Serve as data project manager for single and multi-site research studies
• Develop procedures and criteria for the administration of the health services research databases
• Follow all established information security policies and procedures

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:

• MUST be a US Citizen and MUST clear a US government background check
• Resume must indicate full-time or part-time and include hours for each position listed under work experience.
• EDUCATION: 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.
• EXPERIENCE: Must have at least one year of related experience equating to 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.

NOTE: Reference OPM website for more information on Qualification Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/general-medical-and-healthcare-series-0601/

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:

• Understanding of core security principles.
• Experience performing and remediating vulnerabilities in applications, operating systems, and firmware.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must.

POINT OF CONTACT FOR POSITION:

Please confirm US citizenship in your cover letter. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and unofficial transcripts by , with in the e-mail subject line to Anne.Hunger@va.gov.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person