(08/21/09)Medical Record Administrator (Informatics) Indianapolis, IN

The Indianapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center is seeking an experienced and dynamic Medical Records Administrator (Informatics) to serve at our medical center in the Research Service, Health Services Research and Development.

Major Duties:

The position of the Medical Record Administrator (Informatics) has duties and responsibilities in Research Service, Heatlh Services Research and Development, that may include but are not limited to developing Program Evaluation Policies & Procedures and collaborating with the RCC Scientific Program Manager, Investigators and Staff to establish the policies and procedures by which the research program will be evaluated. He/she establishes program goals, objectives and identifies results indicative of successful program accomplishments. The incumbent works under the direction of the RCC Scientific Program Manager along with other members of the RCC team to develop a strategic plan for research, design, and implementation of the core functions of RCC as they relate to core CHIR activities. He/she interfaces with other members of the RCC team to ensure thorough procedures and systems in place. Considerable consultation with users to determine programming needs will be required. As a member of the RCC, the incumbent must take an active role in independently researching and recommending solutions to problems, coordinating with other team members, and implementing plans based on the needs and priorities. He/she creates and implements the consortium research communication and coordination to a computer based system. The record keeping system will involve diverse and complex data types. The transition plan must ensure smooth transition to electronic data. He/she evaluates content of Research Programs and monitors compliance with program requirements He/she prepares information for research project evaluation functions and gathers statistical and narrative data on project status, including resource utilization, statistical data on participation, adherence to protocols on matters such as participant education, control of data, and other similar matters. He/she trains users and other CHIR personnel as needed on system design, use and interface with other systems. Participates in system integration testing and applies test results to modify specifications and correct problems and faults as necessary.

OPEN PERIOD: Friday, August 21, 2009 to Friday, September 11, 2009

For detailed information and application procedures please refer to the listing on the USA Jobs website.

top

(04/24/09) Nurse Researcher - Hines, IL

Loyola University Medical Center and the Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care at Hines Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital are seeking a PhD nurse for a joint position in the School of Nursing at Loyola and to direct the Spinal Cord Injury Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (SCI QUERI) program at the VA. The SCI QUERI is one of 9 national QUERI centers (which are focused on areas including stroke, diabetes, and mental health) whose goal is to improve patient outcomes through increased use of evidence-based care in clinical practice. As research director of the SCI QUERI, the incumbent would oversee a yearly core budget of $350,000 plus additional grant funding that support a group of interdisciplinary research investigators and staff, including a computer programmer and biostatistician. As a member of the faculty at the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing the incumbent will teach in the PhD program in an appropriate area, mentor doctoral students and conduct research in neuroscience/immunology. Skills such as implementation research, quality improvement, program evaluation, clinical trials and/or organizational behavioral change highly desired. Knowledge/experience of spinal cord injury and of the Veterans Health Administration a plus. Salary commensurate with experience.

The Loyola/Hines VA campus is located approximately 10 miles west of downtown Chicago, IL.

For more information, please send CV and cover letter of interest to:

Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care
PO Box 1033
Hines, IL 60141

top

(04/18/09) Principal Investigator, HSR&D Center of Excellence - Indianapolis, IN

The VA HSR&D Center of Excellence on Implementing Evidence-Based Practice (CIEBP) is seeking an experienced health services researcher to lead the center.

Located at the Roudebush VAMC in Indianapolis, an academic partner of Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute at IUSM, the CIEBP is one of 13 HSR&D Centers of Excellence, hosts 15 outstanding MD and PhD Core Investigators, supports the training of 5 graduate fellows, and is the host institution for the VA HSR&D Stroke Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI). The mission of the Center is to improve healthcare provided to veterans through research that promotes the discovery, evaluation, and sustained implementation of evidence-based best practices in the VA and elsewhere. The Center seeks to advance the theory and practice of translational health services research. Our goal is to accelerate the VHA's full emergence as a learning organization that makes maximal use of evidence from research in routine, high-reliability care.

CIEBP investigators collaborate with researchers elsewhere on the IUPUI campus, including MD and PhD Investigators in the programs of the Regenstrief Institute (a medical informatics and health services research institute affiliated with IU School of Medicine), many clinical departments of IUSM, the Schools of Nursing, Liberal Arts, Law, Psychology, and Purdue University's Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, among others.

Candidates for leader of the CIEBP must have an MD or PhD in a health-related field and a strong record of academic achievement in health services research as a grant-funded, independent investigator, as well as demonstrated success as a leader, manager and mentor. Potentially relevant disciplines and areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: medical informatics, fields of medicine, nursing, geriatrics, pharmacy, clinical epidemiology, health economics, and health policy. This position involves research and administrative responsibilities, with limited clinical responsibilities for a clinician incumbent. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Qualified individuals may be eligible for a recruitment bonus. Review of applications will begin in mid-March, 2009, and continue until the position is filled. The Roudebush VAMC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Qualified applicants should send a CV, cover letter, and a list of four references to:

Thomas S. Inui, ScM, MD
c/o Sarah Stone, HR Specialist (05F)
Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center
1481 West 10th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
sarah.stone@va.gov
317-988-2701 (fax)

top

(03/13/09) Principal Investigator, HSR&D Center of Excellence - Palo Alto, CA

The Center for Health Care Evaluation (CHCE): A Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center of Excellence is seeking an experienced health services researcher to lead the center. Located at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), an affiliate of Stanford University, CHCE comprises 28 outstanding MD and PhD Core Investigators and is one of 13 HSR&D Centers of Excellence. Research by CHCE investigators focuses on improving:

1. care for patients with substance use and/or psychiatric disorders;
2. screening/diagnostic assessment and clinical decision-making; and
3. the organization and delivery of health care services.

CHCE investigators collaborate with researchers at other VAPAHCS centers, including the Program Evaluation and Resource Center, National Center for PTSD, Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, and Rehabilitation Research and Development Center. CHCE has a history of developing outstanding health services researchers and hosts strong postdoctoral and post-residency training programs in health services research and medical informatics.

Candidates must have an MD or PhD in a health-related field and a strong record of academic achievement in health services research as a grant-funded, independent investigator, and demonstrated success as a leader, manager and mentor. Potentially relevant disciplines and areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology, Geriatrics, Health Economics, and Health Policy. This position involves research and administrative responsibilities, with limited clinical responsibilities for a clinician incumbent. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Review of applications will begin in mid-February, 2009, and continue until the position is filled. The VAPAHCS is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Qualified applicants should send a CV, cover letter, and a list of four individuals who may be contacted regarding the applicant's suitability for this position to:

Ms. Deborah Page
CHCE PI Search Committee
VA Palo Alto Health Care System (152MPD)
795 Willow Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025

top

(03/02/09) Physician Investigator, Baylor College of Medicine - Houston, TX

The Health Services Research Section in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is seeking a mid-level investigator to lead a scientific program in Health Policy and Quality. Research in this program includes: assessing pay-for-performance programs, developing composite measures of health care quality, designing valid health care performance measures for both acute and chronic diseases, and patient safety issues in the use of health information technology. The Center, all in newly renovated space in the Texas Medical Center, has over 150 staff; 42 are research faculty from both clinical and non-clinical disciplines, such as biostatistics, epidemiology, and psychometrics. Some faculty hold joint or adjunct appointments at Rice University, The University of Texas School of Public Health, University of Houston, and Texas A&M University. A summary of all activities of our Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence are available on our website: http://www.hsrd.houston.med.va.gov. The position provides 75-80% protected time for research and a highly competitive start-up package. BCM and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employers. Must be a US citizen.

Please contact:
Laura A. Petersen, MD, MPH
c/o Cynthia Nelson, Chief of Operations
Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (152)
2002 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
Ph: 713-794-8677 or 713-794-8601
Email: Cindy.Nelson@va.gov

top

(02/24/09) Senior Health Services Research Scientist in Institutional and Behavioral Change - Denver, CO

Colorado Research to Improve Care Coordination (CRICC), a multidisciplinary VA health services research program at the Denver VAMC, is recruiting for a Senior Health Services Research Scientist at or above the GS 14, Associate Professor level in the area of institutional and behavioral change. The successful applicant will hold a PhD in psychology, sociology, anthropology, or a related discipline and have extensive experience leading research projects and obtaining grant funding in the area of institutional and behavioral change. Past or current VA HSR&D funding is very desirable, as is a background in qualitative research methods. The successful candidate will collaborate as a senior investigator with other CRICC researchers and pursue an independent research agenda. CRICC is a dynamic research organization with active research in geriatrics, palliative care, cardiology, health economics, biostatistics, and quantitative methodology. The Denver VAMC is closely affiliated with the University of Colorado at Denver, where the candidate will have an academic appointment. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Colorado are equal opportunity employers. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should send CV in confidence to Markus.Botwinick@va.gov.

top

(02/16/09) Tenure Track Physician Investigator, Health Care Safety and Quality - Houston, TX

The Baylor College of Medicine, Section of Health Services Research and Houston VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence are seeking to hire a fellowship trained physician-investigator to conduct research to improve health care safety and quality. We build upon nearly 20 years of collaborative research among our multidisciplinary investigators. Additionally, we have a long history of collaboration with several local institutions at the world renowned Texas Medical Center. Our research extends from patient experience, to clinical practice and outcomes of care, and to the development of health care policy. We have an established track record of supporting, mentoring and developing outstanding research leaders.

The focus of this new position will be research on using electronic medical records to improve the quality and safety of health care. We have a growing portfolio of research on this topic, which is funded by several federal grants (VA, AHRQ and NIH). Current patient safety projects include studies on detection of outpatient safety events using health information technology, using a multidisciplinary approach to understand and reduce specific types of medical errors, and improving electronic communication in the outpatient setting to improve patient safety. Candidates, early in their research career and/or completing fellowship, are welcome to apply for a tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level. Protected research time (up to 75%) will be offered for up to 3 years by which time the candidate will be expected to obtain a research career development award. Please send a CV to the contact listed below.

Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employers. Candidate must be a US citizen.

A summary of all activities of our Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence are available on our website: http://www.hsrd.houston.med.va.gov.

Please contact:
Hardeep Singh, MD, MPH
c/o Cynthia Nelson, Chief of Operations
Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence
2450 Holcombe Blvd., Suite 01Y
Houston, TX 77021
Ph: 713-794-8677 or 713-794-8601
Email: cnelson@bcm.edu

top

(02/11/09) Research Health Economist- Tampa, FL

General responsibilities include the identification, development and initiation of VA relevant research projects that specify and test hypotheses relating to the organization, delivery and impact of health services for veterans. Duties include serving as a consultant in the area of research design, sampling, strategic planning, econometric methodology, micro-economic theory, and computer assisted analysis of healthcare data. The incumbent is responsible for formulating and planning economic analysis in addition to interpreting their results. The incumbents work is expected to extend existing methods or theory in the solution of management problems. Solutions to these problems are expected to represent major advances in the understanding of the inter-relationships or various economic factors and agents in the provision of health care by the Veterans Administration.

The incumbent must apply financial technical knowledge relevant to the cost-benefit of health services applications, and have the ability to develop financial analysis instruments and other materials required. The work assignments cover a variety of activities related to the econometric analysis of large health care databases, as well as collaborating with other investigators in prospective studies and randomized clinical trials in the area of health economics.

Please send CV and cover letter to:
Shirley Fitzgerald, PhD
HSRD REAP
James A Haley Tampa VA
11605 N Nebraska Ave (118M)
Tampa, Florida 33612
or email to Shirley.Fitzgerald@va.gov.

The Veterans Health Administration is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

top

(02/09/09) Physician-Investigator - East Orange, NJ

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Research and Development Program at VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, is recruiting for a physician-health services researcher for the Center for Healthcare Knowledge Management of Complex Chronic Illness (CHEKOM) Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP). The REAP is located 15 miles west of Manhattan. CHEKOM consists of an interdisciplinary group of more than 15 core and affiliated researchers in the fields of medicine, social work, psychology, health economics, demography, public health, and statistics. CHEKOM is affiliated with University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, and the Institute for Health, Rutgers University.

The Center's research program is focused in the area of complex chronic illness with three primary research strategic goals:

1. effectiveness of care including pharmaco-epidemiology, intermediate outcomes, long term outcomes),
2. linking quality and cost of healthcare (efficiency), including new methodologies, use of multiple systems of care, gaps in care for patients with multiple needs, and patient self representation of illness; and
3. development/evaluation of care coordination programs (especially diabetes. mental health, and OIF/OEF veterans)

Salary range: Negotiable (commensurate with education and experience). This will be either a full-time or 6/8ths VA appointment; clinical responsibilities will not exceed 25% FTE. U.S. Citizenship required. The Department of Veterans Affairs is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:

VA New Jersey Health Care System
Human Resources (05)
385 Tremont Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018
Attention: Catherine Jordan
Fax: (973) 395-7148
or e-mail: catherine.jordan1@va.gov.

top

(02/09/09) Data Analyst, Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Medical Center - Ann Arbor, MI

Full-time preferred, but will also consider part time (at least 20 hours/week). Salary range: $70,700 - $84,000 (depending on education and experience) + benefits.

Start date: Flexible.

Description: Join a dynamic group of over 30 MD and PhD research scientists to investigate methods to assess and improve quality of health care. Provide consultation on issues of study design and statistical analysis for health services research projects. Conduct statistical analyses as a team member or co-investigator on a variety of studies related to quality of care assessment and improving health care delivery and self-management for persons with chronic conditions. Supervise data managers.

Requirements: PhD in statistics, biostatistics, or epidemiology preferred, but will also consider applicants with a Master’s degree in a similar field who have extensive experience. Experience with the following is required: SAS or STATA data analysis software; advanced statistical techniques, including survival and time series analyses, multi-level modeling, and working with non-linear dependent variables; managing large healthcare data sets; writing grants and manuscripts. U.S. citizenship required.

Contact: E-mail cover letter and CV to Dr. Julie Lowery at julie.lowery@va.gov.

top

(02/08/09) Director, Health Services Research - San Antonio, TX

The VERDICT Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital) and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio seeks an experienced investigator to assume leadership of its interdisciplinary team of clinician investigators and social scientists, and to lead a newly created Center for Health Services Research at the University. VERDICT is one of 9 REAP programs funded by the VA’s Health Services Research and Development Service. It currently has 13 MD and PhD core investigators. The applicant selected will be jointly appointed to the faculty of UTHSCSA, a major center for bioscience education and research in South Texas. Candidates must have an MD or PhD and a record of academic accomplishment in health services research as a funded independent investigator, demonstrated success as a mentor, and excellent communication skills. Potentially relevant disciplines and/or areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, Patient Safety, Health Policy. This position is primarily research and administration with considerable protected time and limited clinical responsibilities for clinician applicants. Salary and rank commensurate with education and experience. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Send CV with cover letter to Jan E. Patterson MD, Chair, VERDICT Search Committee, Medical Service (111), Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio TX 78229, or pattersonj@uthscsa.edu. The UTHSC-San Antonio and the Veterans Health Administration are Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All faculty appointments are designated as security sensitive positions.

top

(01/24/08) Clinician Investigators – Minneapolis, MN

The Minneapolis VA Section of General Internal Medicine and Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research (CCDOR) are seeking individuals to fill 2 positions at the Assistant and Associate/Full Professor levels. These are outstanding academic opportunities for individuals with fellowship training and expertise in health services or outcomes research, clinical epidemiology or clinical trials. We are a large, growing and nationally renowned group of interdisciplinary researchers. Positions are primarily research with considerable protected time and limited clinical responsibilities. BC/BE in Internal Medicine required. Academic appointment and active collaboration with the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.

Send CV with cover letter by Fax (612-725-2118) or email to Timothy Wilt, MD, MPH (tim.wilt@va.gov). Additional questions by phone: 612-467-2681.

top

(12/20/08) PhD Health Services Research Position - San Antonio, TX

The VERDICT Health Services Research Center at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital) is currently seeking a PhD investigator to join its interdisciplinary team of clinician investigators and social scientists. The VERDICT is a VA-funded Research Award Enhancement Program that currently has 13 MD and PhD core investigators, 20 support/technical staff, and anticipates $2.6 million in VA and non-VA funding in FY 08. The VERDICT's mission is to improve the health of veterans by researching methods of improving the performance of clinical microsystems. Current areas of focus include: organizational effectiveness and change in health care settings, relational coordination and communication among health care teams (especially those in primary care and in ICU settings), chronic care management, coordination of care for complex patients with multimorbidity, and improving quality of care and outcomes for patients with diabetes, obesity, pneumonia, epilepsy, serious mental illness or PTSD, and polytrauma. The Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital was recently selected as the site of a $67 million polytrauma center to treat OEF/OIF veterans with multiple injuries. The new polytrauma center will be one of only five nationwide.

Junior, mid-level, or senior investigators will be considered for the position. For junior applicants, fellowship training and demonstrated potential to become independent investigator are preferred. Mid-career and senior faculty should have established record as an independent investigator. Qualified applicants may be jointly appointed to the research faculty of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, a major center for bioscience education and research in South Texas with over 4,000 faculty and staff, and more than $145 million in grants, contracts, and awards annually in over 2,000 patient-related and basic research projects. Salary and academic appointment will be based on experience and background. The Veterans Health Administration is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Send CV and cover letter to:

Jacqueline Pugh, M.D., VERDICT 11C-6
Audie L. Murphy Division
South Texas Veterans Health Care System,
7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio TX 78229-5700
Phone: 210-617-5314
Fax: 210-567-4423
E-mail: pugh@uthscsa.edu

top

(12/05/08) Core Investigator/ Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor - Seattle, WA

Northwest Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System and the Department of Health Services, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington are jointly recruiting one or more Core Investigators/Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors (regular or research) to pursue health services research. All positions are without tenure by reason of funding.

Successful applicants will contribute to health services research as part of a Center of Excellence with 25 MD and PhD investigators and over $8 million in VA and non-VA funding. Center goals are to perform state-of-the-art research, generate new knowledge and research methods, provide high caliber training in health services research, and assist VA policy makers in a rapidly changing health care environment. The Center's research objectives are to provide information to improve the delivery of health services to veterans and to contribute to scientific progress in the field of health services research in three emphasis areas: management of chronic disease in primary and specialty care, preservation of independence in older adults, and evaluation of alternative delivery systems.

Applicants must hold a PhD in health services research, social sciences, or related field. Applicants should

1. have training and experience in health services research,
2. exhibit potential for a distinguished record of scholarship, and
3. demonstrate the ability to work in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.

A research focus on one of three areas is preferred:

1. care coordination, i.e., organization and management of patient care activities among participants (including the patient) to facilitate the appropriate delivery of health care services,
2. development and evaluation of approaches to the care of chronically ill elderly including long term care, or
3. psychometric methodology for scale development/validation and survey design/implementation. Successful applicants will be core investigators at the Northwest Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence and eligible to apply for research funding from the extensive VA HSR&D research program as well as other funding sources.

Successful applicants may be jointly appointed to the regular or research faculty of the Department of Health Services with opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students at the University of Washington. University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. These positions are for a 12-month service period, full-time indefinite term appointments at the VA and are non-tenure track positions at the University of Washington due to source of funding. U.S. citizenship required. Review of applications will continue until the positions are filled.

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:

Daniel Kivlahan, PhD
Director, Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (CESATE)
Clinical Coordinator, SUD Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI)
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
1100 Olive Way
Suite 1400
Seattle WA 98101

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Washington are affirmative action, equal opportunity employers who are building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans.

top