Public Health Project Spec II

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

400072 Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 107 H

Compensation Range:

$23.27 - $32.60

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

Public Health Project Specialist II will work on large pediatric research projects in a variety of settings (e.g., office, virtual platform, emergency department) with broad latitude for autonomy and independent judgement. Expected to provide day-to-day oversight to ensure study activities are completed effectively and efficiently. Will participate in all phases of research including, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, development of research protocols/guidelines and draft study instruments, the IRB approval and compliance processes, supervision of multiple staff/students, maintaining equipment and supplies, database development and management, data analysis, quality assurance/quality control, and report preparation. Study methods may include telephone/virtual and in-person screening and consent, medical chart abstractions, cleaning of large administrative datasets, literature reviews, and other duties as assigned. Will also be responsible for assisting with new grant submissions and dissemination activities for existing grants (presentations, drafting sections of publications). May communicate with patients and/or families in-person or by telephone/virtual platform.

The Child Health Equity and Decision-making Research (CHEDR) Team is interested in understanding why and how groups of children receive different evaluation and management decisions. Findings will inform targeted interventions to reduce disparities and improve equity for all children.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Oversees study activities and data management:

• Assists with enrollment efforts (e.g. semi-structured interviews), including scheduling, conducting informed consent, interviews, and being available for questions from staff.
• Conducts in-person and telephone interviews, as needed.
• Travels to appropriate sites for data collection (e.g. URMC Emergency Department).
• Primary liaison for participants’ questions and concerns; explains all aspects of program, uses own judgment to answer participants’ questions and address participants’ concerns
• Organizes honoraria to participants in qualitative studies.
• Oversees and coordinates quantitative data collection, entry and cleaning, and reviews data for completion, consistency, and accuracy; Communicates with appropriate teams/staff to troubleshoot technical/mechanical issues
• Ensures that study computers are up-to-date and have wireless access for use in the field
• Provides data collection updates at weekly study meeting
• Provides thoughtful insight into ways to improve study and study procedures
• Maintains a study progress log, including study changes (e.g., survey changes, data issues, etc.) 
• Regularly prepares reports for Data Safety Monitoring Board, NIH, and/or RSRB
• Performs and/or creates quality assurance procedures to ensure data are complete and accurate
• Ensures quantitative and qualitative data are properly uploaded to FigShare to comply with NIH Data Sharing and Management requirements
• Independently creates tables, forms, and coding schematic for new databases and makes updates to current databases. 
• Uses own judgment to organize and clean data, and create a data dictionary prior to analysis

Hiring, training, and supervision of research staff:

• Interviews and makes decisions on hiring of employees in consultation with PI.
• Organizes and conducts training sessions independently for multiple aspects of the studies, including scientific background, survey administration, and data maintenance.
• Supervises daily activities including, delegating tasks, reviewing progress, and providing additional training when needed.
• Answers employees’ questions and provides continual guidance on tasks
• Assists with annual performance reviews of staff

Prepares materials for and corresponds with RSRB:

• Corresponds with RSRB about study related issues and general inquiries
• Independently drafts and submits applications for RSRB approval
• Organizes study related information (enrollment, follow-up, findings, etc.) and submits annual progress reports to RSRB.
• Submits amendments to RSRB, as needed.
• Tracks and Reports all adverse events in timely fashion to RSRB
• Relates information between investigator/team and RSRB

Compiles and disseminates information learned from research studies:

• Conducts data analysis: Using STATA (or other statistical software), independently conducts bivariate and multivariate analysis with study data
• Manuscript preparation: Independently drafts manuscripts for co-authorship on abstracts and manuscripts.
• Presentation preparation: Independently organizes and designs presentations (lectures and posters)
• Conducts literature reviews as needed on related topics: Using resources provided (library, Ovid Medline and other online sources) conducts literature reviews for specific topics.
• Generate reports both for the IRB and grant funders.

Oversee Supplies, Equipment and Samples:

• Complete and maintain paperwork to order necessary supplies from vendors (e.g., Staples, Medline).
• Review supply needs and make sure orders are received in a timely fashion.

Other duties as assigned by Principal Investigator

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree with major course work in an appropriate health, social or technical field and 2 years of related experience required
• Master's degree preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent communication skills; the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of individuals, including parents, adolescents, peers, clinician/researchers at all levels, and staff; and health-related research experience preferred. 
• Demonstrates efficiency in prioritizing assignments, skill in proactively resolving problems, and recommending and implementing continuous quality improvements preferred. 
• Must have experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access), Internet search techniques for reviewing scientific literature, and database development and maintenance preferred. 
• This position requires an annual re-certification in HIPAA awareness and annual renewal of a Strong Commitment contract.
• Knowledge of SPSS, STATA or SAS, and geographic information system analysis are preferred.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.