The position serves as Healthcare Ethicist for the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) National Center for Ethics in Health Care (NCEHC). NCEHC is responsible for addressing the complex ethics issues that arise in healthcare across the VHA, including those ethics issues relating to clinical ethics, organizational ethics, organizational policy, and research ethics.
Order of Referral: This announcement will close on 11/3/2026. Only the applications received up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day that 75 applications is reached will be considered. Applications that are submitted after the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.
The duties of the Healthcare Ethicist include, but are not limited to: Leading the resolution of highly complex ethical issues that have an impact upon the health care delivery system, the consumer within the organization, or the community. Establishing program precedents resulting in standards, policies, and guides in the ethical provision of VA health care.
Providing accurate and insightful analyses and technical guidance on health care ethics problems to customers within and beyond VA to develop, extend, and improve health care and research ethics programs, systems, strategies, and services. Customers include VHACO programs, VISNs, VAMCs, Veterans' Service Organizations, other government agencies, Congressional staff, and the medical, research, and health care ethics communities outside of VHA.
Providing guidance to others regarding long-standing ethical issues in health care and/or research and identifies emerging issues and related information needs through analysis of a variety of data sources including the All Employee Survey and IEWeb (VHA's repository of ethics activities). Leading the development and successful delivery of effective health care and/or research ethics education products and forums.
Establishes processes to present and share clinical, service/program wide and/or organizational research and evidence-based performance activities.
Disseminating ethically strong practices to expand understanding within the agency of the role of health care and research ethics; explains the mission, vision, goals, priorities of NCEHC's role in ethics consultation; builds awareness of NCEHC as a national resource within VHA; and assists VHA staff at local, VISN and national levels in their work.
Composing, reviewing, editing, and summarizing written ethics-related reports, white papers, and executive analyses of major program areas, such as task forces. This includes reviewing pertinent data and evaluates trends from which to develop issue papers outlining health policy options. Ensuring that information about NCEHC programs, policies, and analyses reach the appropriate audiences.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, various tours available Compressed/Flexible: Available at discretion of the Supervisor Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work.
Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate and highly qualified candidates with assigned space to work in-person from an agency worksite. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA-owned or leased space.
Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer.
Position Description/PD#: Health Science Specialist - Healthcare Ethicist/PD03551A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
There is no educational substitution at this grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
VHANationalRecruitmentCenter@va.gov · (844)456-5208
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $106437 – $172980/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-11-03.
There are 2 openings for this position.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-29 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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