Details

Open Date 09/18/2023

Requisition Number PRN36404B

Job Title Research Associate

Working Title Research Associate

Job Grade A00

FLSA Code Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Employees must reside in the state of Utah but might have the opportunity to work a hybrid (in-office and remote) work schedule. Possible consideration of a request for a fully remote work schedule, subject to approval and change.

VP Area U of U Health - Academics

Department 00952 - Division of Epidemiology

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range 20000 to 120000

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Job Summary

As a Research Associate with the Division of Epidemiology, the incumbent will coordinate research and operational activities as part of the Biosurveillance, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Infection Control ( BASIC ) team. The successful candidate will join the bioinformatics research team and participate in a joint Concept of Operations ( CONOPS ) outlining sustainable biosurveillance data sharing and communication between Veterans Health Administration and its partners.

The BASIC Research Associate will participate in communication triage and inter-agency flow, developing pre-approved messaging elements based on the biosurveillance cycle, defined information sharing principles, and standardized information capture processes that will allow approved VHA BASIC users to capture, summarize, and share significant disease or syndromic trend information among project personnel through across an array of communication tools. Incumbent will also engage with key stakeholders to outline expectations and timelines for deliverables.

The incumbent will collaborate with the BASIC team on study design, project management, report analysis, as well as interpretation and dissemination of results. The research associate will coordinate across a variety of specialties that include medical, social, environmental, genetic, psychological, and other diverse areas of study. The BASIC team combines the best of traditional epidemiologic methods along with advanced analytics and informatics methods in creative, cross disciplinary activities.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in an allied health or methodological field.

AND 5 or more years of experience in public health, case-based or syndromic surveillance, research, or healthcare operations.

Proficient in multiple technologies (computer languages, statistical computing platforms, dashboarding, databases, workflow, standards).

Possess excellent interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills.

In-depth knowledge of regulatory issues in data sharing and research ( HIPAA , IRB , etc.).

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Responsibilities

1. Act as liaison between Operational and Research arms of the Epidemiology team.
2. Access de-identified multichannel surveillance data (updated daily), perform basic summary statistics on channel data (at a minimum sum, average, median, confidence interval), analyze trends; identify data artifacts, predictors, and temporal anomalies; the feasibility of generating short-range forecasts will be evaluated.
3. Collaborate to develop pre-approved messaging elements based on Biosurveillance Cycle, defined information sharing principles, and standardized information capture processes that will allow approved surveillance system users to capture, summarize, and share significant disease or syndromic trend information among project personnel through multiple communication channels.
4. Generate Communication triage and interagency flow documentation (SOPs) by participation in a joint Concept of Operations ( CONOPS ) outlining how VHA and its partners define the specifics for sustainable data sharing and communication.
5. Identify procedures for use of information from the tools and formulate mechanisms for leadership approval of any messaging to be shared outside the project.
6. Risk assessment and mitigation: Proactively identify roadblocks interfering with project progress and deliverables and provide viable solutions to keep project on track. Troubleshoot issues and communicate risks. Diplomatically address concerns and establish and promote a transparent environment for problem resolution. Help develop strategy to address client needs.
7. Project status communication: Clearly articulate to executive sponsorship team status of project and provide insight to any additional support needed for successful completion. Actively participate in relevant internal meetings, providing feedback on processes and strategic operations issues. Provide feedback on client to leadership.
8. Use data domain and methodological knowledge to contribute to the development of research protocols and assist with study design and preparation, monitor progress of study execution, and facilitate completion. Assist with evaluation and interpretation of study results and communicate findings to health practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
9. Use excellent communication and analytical skills as well as exhibit a high level of self-motivation, initiative and attention to detail.
10. Work independently as well as participate in multiple concurrent team projects. Manage timelines and deliverables across projects.
11. Other duties as assigned.

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferences

• Experience in Epidemiology and Public Health Surveillance.
• Experience in quantitative and methodological analysis working with electronic medical record data.
• Knowledge and experience in statistical analysis of high throughput biomedical data.
• Experience in EHR tools, requirements gathering, analysis and design.
• Experience in writing, editing, and submitting scientific manuscripts, standard operating procedures, and communication documents for a range of audiences.
• Experience in developing and delivering scientific presentations.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.

Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:

Director/ Title IX Coordinator

Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA)

383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

801-581-8365

oeo@utah.edu

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

For more information: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

To inquire about this posting, email: employment@utah.edu (%20employment@utah.edu) or call 801-581-2300.

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

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