Career Opportunities

Clinical Research Director Tricia Buscio, RN, MHA, and Research Support Specialist Kelli O'Hara

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute hires talented professionals to join us in our mission to improve health and health care for all. Below are a select openings. For information on other career opportunities at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, check Kaiser Permanente Washington's job site.

Open positions

• Vice President, Research & Health Care Innovation for KP Washington Region; Exec. Director KPWHRI
• Director, MacColl Center for Health Care Innovation
  
• Research Support Specialist II
• Grant Management Specialist II – Pre-Award
• Business Process Analyst

---

Vice President, Research & Health Care Innovation for KP Washington Region; Exec. Director KPWHRI

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 757343 Date posted: 12/07/2018

Exciting things are happening at Kaiser Permanente! We are looking for a dynamic thought leader to lead Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) based in Seattle, Washington.

About the KPWHRI
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI), formerly Group Health Research Institute, does ground-breaking research to improve the health and health care of Kaiser Permanente members and the public. KP is recognized as one of America-s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Embedded within KP Washington region, KPWHRI is well known for its 35 years of landmark discoveries in areas such as improving chronic illness care; improving the safety and effectiveness of cancer screening, prescription drugs, vaccines, and imaging; promoting healthy aging; preventing illness; and transforming medical practices nationwide so patients can stay healthy and get the care they need. It has a strong track record for conducting influential and pragmatic public-domain research, including leadership in many national research networks and interest groups. Discoveries from KPWHRI research have changed the way people around the world care for their own health and how health care providers care for their patients.

KPWHRI-s faculty includes 39 doctorate trained scientific investigators, including physicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, psychologists, and health services researchers-most of whom have joint appointments at the University of Washington. The faculty also includes 16 masters trained or doctorate-level research associates and 8 collaborative biostatisticians. This diverse, multidisciplinary scientific team is supported by a staff of about 250 employees. Working within an integrated health care delivery system, KPWHRI scientists have access to a large, well-defined research population of about 700,000 KP members in Washington state and millions more nationwide. KPWHRI researchers collaborate regularly with scientists from affiliated institutions such as Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, the Veterans Administration, the University of Washington, and Kaiser Permanente-s other regional research institutes. Through KP Washington-s Learning Health System Program, they also work closely with KP health system leaders to design, implement, and spread research findings that are improving health and health care for all.

KPWHRI attracts more than $50 million in revenue annually, including grants from federal sources such as the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-as well as many private foundations and industry. Its faculty publishes around 400 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals each year.

SUMMARY
The Vice President for Research and Health Care Innovation, Kaiser Permanente Washington/Executive Director, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute plays a pivotal role in leading the research agenda for KP-s Washington Region. The incumbent who assumes this role will set the vision for research, promote, and energize our institute by:

Providing leadership and vision for KPWHRI, its centers and research programs, by stewarding and growing a thriving research portfolio through sponsored research, scientific collaboration and dissemination,

Leading the design and development of innovative programs to enable the achievement of national and regional Kaiser Permanente goals and priorities.

Developing a high performing KPWHRI staff and providing guidance and support as necessary for their career growth and professional development.

Represent KP Washington through service and participations on boards, committees, panels, and conferences to represent organizational, health, and research interests at the local and national level.

Assures regional research activities are aligned with KP National goals.

Contributes to informing, identifying & establishing regional priorities, and participates in policy making at all levels of KPWA through service on the region-s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), its Joint Leadership Team (JLT), and through the dissemination of research knowledge and innovation in health care.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides oversight of all aspects of KPWHRI-s long-range planning and mission, direction, and objectives. Develops and fosters a diverse and meaningful scientific portfolio that results in a world class scientific program that translates into value that improves health for a variety of stakeholders, including KP members, local communities, and the nation. This includes engagement in recruiting, retaining, and overseeing the performance and productivity of scientific investigators and other research staff, as well as assuring integrity in the performance of research.

Designs and conducts scientific research. Identifies potential funding sources for self and others and writes proposals for funding. Conducts a research program and provides scientific leadership and guidance to improve the research of others. Represents KPWA and KPWHRI at the KP National Research Council and other KP national groups where senior executives are gathered. Represents the interests of KPWHRI to external funders of research and evaluation.

Contributes to the development of research by being a recognized scientific leader as demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and direct contact with leaders in health care and research communities. Develops and executes measures of research productivity and seeks ways and venues to further disseminate and implement research findings both within KPWA, KP, and among community stakeholders. May represent KP through service and participations on boards, committees, panels & conferences to represent organizational, health and research interests at the local and national level.

Directs KPWHRI-s contributions to strategically plan and promote innovation in patient care and participates in other policy making decisions at KPWA. Works with KPWA leadership to integrate findings from research demonstrations and evaluations into patient care and decision making at KPWA. This includes the development of the Learning Health System (LHS) Program, promoting and aligning LHS work and initiatives with the region-s strategic plans and assuring strong support from SLT and JLT. Works with Washington Permanente Medical Group-s Associate Medical Director for Research and Translation in developing linkages with medical staff, health system operations, and other key areas of the organization, especially to identify and meet data and evaluation needs within the constraints of available resources.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience as a scientific investigator, with achievement of the rank of Full Investigator or equivalent as Full Professor.

Education
- Doctoral degree, PhD, or equivalent or MD or equivalent

License, Certification, Registration
- If an MD, requires a license to practice as a physician within U.S. Eligible for physician licensure within Washington State.

Additional Requirements:
- Success in securing peer reviewed grant funding as a Principal Investigator.
- Regular contributor to peer reviewed scientific journals.
- Scientific leadership experience in health-related research setting.
- Knowledge of research funding and review mechanisms, i.e., experience as a peer reviewer for NIH
- Knowledge of research methods and theory in health research related to discipline
- Scientific writing, data analysis and interpretation, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Substantive knowledge in health-related discipline.
- National recognition as evidenced from written evaluation of the Investigator-s academic and leadership record by nationally recognized scientists in health care research.
- Demonstrates through work examples required Core Competencies.

Preferred Qualifications:
- N/A.

Primary Location: Seattle, WA, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: M-F Working Hours Start: 8:00am Working Hours End: 5:00pm Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Salaried, Non-Union, Exempt Job Level: Executive/VP Job Category: Research and Development Department: 0308-30000-7924 Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Apply for Vice President, Research & Health Care Innovation and Executive Director, Health Research Institute

---

Director, MacColl Center for Health Care Innovation

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 783325 Date posted: 03/27/2019

Description:
This position is responsible for the growth and success of the MacColl Center and its linked agendas of research, system transformation, and dissemination of evidence-based methods, while also acting as a research scientist supported predominantly by external funding. Provides strategic direction and leadership to MacColl Center faculty and staff and serves as a senior leader within the Institute. Integrates research capabilities, translational expertise, participatory research, and innovative implementation science to advance both externally funded projects and redesign efforts within the KPW delivery system. Builds and oversees an open and supportive work environment to aid multidisciplinary faculty collaboration and promotes professional development. Guides MacColl's dissemination and field-building efforts, including website redesign, strategy for common data elements, and disposition of Wagner Endowment, and serves as a nationally recognized brand ambassador for MacColl.

---

Research Support Specialist II – KPWHRI

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 749767 Date posted: 11/12/2018

Description:
Under the supervision of the Research Administrative Supervisor or Manager, provides specialized administrative support to research faculty and staff. With little instruction and using knowledge of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington and grant funder policies, analyzes problems, determines approach, and completes new assignments. This position requires the use of judgment in non-routine matters and is expected to take on complex or non-standard tasks. The ability to balance a complex workload while maintaining service commitments is required. A minimum of one year experience in a research environment is a prerequisite. Work is highly deadline driven and at times confidential in nature. This position is distinguished from a Research Support Specialist I by the higher level knowledge of departmental and research information and by the independent management of a complex workload and distinguished from a Research Support Specialist III by the lesser degree of leadership required

Essential Responsibilities:

• Scientific Support: a) Performs all duties of a Research Support Specialist I, plus manages a workload consisting of complex grant submissions and/or completing simultaneous grant submissions. Independently works to assist faculty with meeting funding agency requirements for grant submissions; to utilize EndNote, Acrobat Professional, and Microsoft Office software on a daily basis. Demonstrates advanced troubleshooting. b) Utilizes and troubleshoots computer software programs (EndNote, Acrobat Professional, and Microsoft Office, etc.) on a daily basis.c) Uses knowledge of funding agencies and requirements to coach staff in contract and grant submissions.
• Research Administrative Support: a) Performs all duties of a Research Support Specialist I, plus independently performs specialized coding, documentation, and other accounting functions for processing of grant expenses and expense reimbursements according to federal regulations and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington policies.b) Independently coordinates and maintains numerous schedules; arranges and supports meetings and conferences between multiple collaborative research sites; makes travel and lodging arrangements through various travel vendors and in compliance with federal regulations. c) Performs a range of support activities; may serve as a liaison with other departments, research collaborators, or vendors on administrative and/or operational matters in accordance with research policies. d) As pertains to research projects directly supported, analyzes administrative problems, determines approach, and completes new assignments with little instruction.
• Training, Oversight, Mentoring: a) Provides training and orientation to newly hired Research Support Specialists. b) Provides informal peer support.c) Offers coaching opportunities.
• Communication, Process Improvement: a) Participates in unit and institute wide meetings, committees, and workgroups. b) Participates as part of the RSS unit by identifying and communicating problems and proposing best practices for daily work. Shares learnings. c) Participates in process improvement efforts. d) Maintains desk manual to document policies and procedures for own learnings and work processes particular to the position to ease transitions in staffing and out of office coverage.

DO YOU HAVE ADMIN EXPERIENCE AND FIND YOU ENJOY HELPING OTHERS AND LEARNING SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY? WANT TO WORK IN A FAST-PACED ENVIRONMENT WITH PEOPLE WHO TURN INNOVATIVE IDEAS INTO BETTER HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE? THEN JOIN OUR TEAM! THE RESEARCH SUPPORT SPECIALIST II (RSSII) SUPPORTS FACULTY AND STAFF WITHINT KAISER PERMANENT WASHINGTON-S RESEARCH INSTITUTE. THE RSSII WILL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING TO BALANCE A COMPLEX WORK LOAD AND MEET DEMANDING SERVICE EXPECTATIONS, BE A PROBLEM SOLVER, BE DETAIL-ORIENTED, HAVE EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND WORK INDEPENDENTLY. WORK INCLUDES COMMUNICATING WITH COLLABORATROS, TRACKING MULTIPLE SCHEDULING REQUESTS AND DELIVERABLES, RECONCILING EXPENSES, AND ORGANIZING SPECIAL PROJECTS. YOU WILL USE MS OFFICE AND VISUAL PROGRAMS TO PREPARE MANUSCRIPTS, COMPILE GRANT APPLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS INCLUDING GRAPHICS AND SPREADSHEETS.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of experience working in a research environment (including grant & manuscript submissions) OR minimum three (3) years of experience providing administrative support.

Education

• High School Diploma OR General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Balance competing timelines.
• Database managing skills.
• General accounting procedures.
• All skills of level I Specialist.
• Problem solving, initiative, and troubleshooting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree.

Primary Location: Seattle, WA, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri Working Hours Start: 8:00 AM Working Hours End: 5:00 PM Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Non-Union, Non-Exempt Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Category: Research and Development Department: KPWHRI Travel: No

Apply for Research Specialist II

---

Grant Management Specialist – Pre-Award – KPWHRI

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 748112 Date posted: 11/05/2018

Description:
Collaborates with scientific leadership and research project teams to provide fiscal and compliance expertise to the research program in both pre-award and post-award activities. Counsels scientific faculty on agency policies and regulatory issues. Ensures compliance with applicable grant/contract and regulatory requirements from various entities. Identifies and resolves grant administration issues based on knowledge of laws, regulations, agency policies and other requirements. Manages a portfolio of various funded projects, providing sound stewardship of funds. May focus on pre-award, post-award, or contracting aspects of grant administration, but must have basic knowledge in all three areas.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Fiscal: Perform pre- or post-award or contract duties, or a combination of two or more areas: 1) Pre-award: Lead application process for federal, industry, & foundation grants applications. Establish timelines & meet deadlines. Develop detailed budgets & justifications for grant/contract proposals. Provide guidance to subcontractors for accurate, consistent & compliant forms. Assist project teams with SOWs. 2) Post-award: Monitor and approve internal & external expenditures to ensure timely & appropriate spending. Meet invoice & close-out requirements. Evaluate budgets for correct calculations. Produce reports to manage accounts; forecasting; & for internal/external audits & compliance. 3) Contracting: Review incoming/outgoing agreements for terms & conditions, accuracy of SOW & budget, & inclusion of relevant clauses, flow-downs, etc. Draft agreements. Refer issues to Contract Mgr/GH legal as appropriate.
• Compliance: Provides guidance about sponsor requirements to project teams. Provides documentation in preparation for audits. Monitors and advises on effort commitment and oversees compliance with 'prior approval' requirements as appropriate. Is knowledgeable on appropriate OMB Circulars (A-122, A-21, A-110, A-133) and the NIH Grants Policy Statement as applicable to research conducted at KPWHRI. Advises project teams on allowability of expenditures. Researches complex issues and documents resolutions.
• Communication and Leadership: Trains and mentors project teams in grant and contract administration, cost allocation and compliance issues. Mentors new GMS I's and II's. Facilitates effective communication with study personnel, collaborating institutions, and other stakeholders. Facilitates cross-departmental strategies. Serves as an active member of KPWHRI and GCA by participating in various workgroups and committees. Shares best practices across GCA.
• Process Improvement and Strategic Business Initiatives: Participates in team efforts on an ongoing basis to improve business processes using Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington's Lean improvement methodology. Adheres to standard work and manages portfolio using established best practices. Actively participates in GCA daily management systems, dashboard data preparation and provides appropriate follow-through implementation of countermeasures when necessary.

**SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED GRANT MANAGER WHO DESIRES TO WORK IN A FAST-PACED, COLLEGIAL ENVIRONMENT SUPPORTING WORLD-CLASS EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN GRANT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND SUBMISSION IS PREFERRED.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING SKILLS:

1. STRICT ATTENTION TO DETAIL

2. ABLE TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES.

3. ABLE TO MULTI-TASK WITHOUT ERRORS

4. FAMILIARITY WITH GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR NIH AND OTHER FUNDERS

5. MUST WORK WELL WITH OTHERS UNDER TIGHT DEADLINES AND PRESSURE.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in grant and contract administration or related field.

Education

• Bachelor's degree OR a minimum four (4) years of experience in a directly related field
• High School Diploma OR General Education Development (GED) is required.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to develop complex spreadsheets.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize data from various sources and generate reports and analyses.
• Knowledge of policy and regulatory issues related to grant/contract funded work.
• Ability to problem-solve.
• Strong attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of experience in pre-award and/or post-award grant/contract work.
• Related experience in a research environment.
• Experience working in a deadline-driven environment.
• Experience developing project budgets.
• Experience managing budgets and providing stewardship of funds.
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related field.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures of research funding sources, especially National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Ability to provide trusted counsel to principal investigators and project teams on agency and regulatory issues.

Primary Location: Seattle, WA, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri Working Hours Start: 8:00 AM Working Hours End: 5:00 PM Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Salaried, Non-Union, Exempt Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Category: Research and Development Department: KPWHRI Travel: No

Apply for Grant Management Specialist II – Pre-Award

---

Business Process Analyst – KPWHRI

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 776867 Date posted: 02/28/2019

Description:
Under the direction of GHRI Manager/Director, provides quality service to GHRI units through effectively supporting business systems, providing technical project support, and overseeing unique scientific processes such as annual scientific review, grant applications, labor distribution, effort management, or compliance. Develops & documents business procedures for GHRI staff for all workflows. Ensures business procedures are in compliance with mandated federal regulations. Leads cross-functional workgroups. Provides recommendations to GHRI leadership on workflow modifications to business processes and research-specific software systems. Facilitates the introduction, acceptance, integration, and effective use of business process software and integration of quality initiatives and Lean methodology in business operations functions. Develops training curricula & instructional materials, and provides user training.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Training: Develops job breakdowns, job aids, and training tools. Develops and delivers end-user learning opportunities including consultations and coaching, 1:1 sessions, classroom trainings, online (Aspire-compatible) trainings, user assessments, and feedback reporting to promote acceptance and optimal use of procedures and workflows for research business processes. Identifies training needs through user and system assessments and end-user observations. May serve as KPWHRI Aspire administrator or otherwise consult about KPWHRI Aspire trainings.
• Research Systems: Leads changes & improvements with research-specific tools & supporting processes (such as EndNote, Adobe, Grants.gov, labor distribution tools, or Other Support databases). Maintains & builds SharePoint or intranet sites to support team projects & goals. Provides analysis for collected data & assists with recommendations and/or reports. Identifies and investigates problems frontline staff are experiencing with software, processes, or systems. Develops solutions and implements updated processes or systems. Tests new & upgraded software functionality. Keeps up-to-date on changing technology. Implements changes using project management concepts and instructional design concepts.
• Process Improvement: Stays current on processes and takes lead in establishing or adjusting processes and guidelines based on changing regulations and other external or internal factors. Develops and implements communication plans. Creates & maintains documentation. Is the subject matter expert to answer questions using own knowledge or available resources and experts. Audits, analyzes, and researches procedural issues, and identifies impact on KPWHRI. Consults w/ KPWHRI leadership to support optimal workflows. Proactively recommends and implements enhancements to processes, systems and workflows. Provides recommendations to leadership on impacts, possible/necessary alternatives, and critical milestones regarding process changes. Develops & maintains knowledge of Lean quality improvement principles.
• Cross-Functional: Applies Lean principles to leadership of cross-functional workgroups to create and improve research processes. Participates and engages fully and respectfully in process improvement efforts, as well as in any cross-functional teams that this position may be involved in. Promotes visibility of own unit across KPWHRI.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum four (4) years of knowledge of department specific systems (such as grants.gov, LDT tool, or Other Support database).

Education

• Bachelor's degree in areas of accounting, business administration, systems or general studies OR four (4) years of experience in a directly related field.
• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A.

Additional Requirements:

• Prior experience in GHRI or a research setting.
• Health care or research business operations or business process analytical experience, including experience training staff or doing presentations.
• Knowledge of key compliance regulations that govern the work (such as grant submission requirements, OMB regulations, or effort certification principles) and best practices in research administration.
• Knowledge of GHRI technical systems and systematic workflow.
• Excellent report-writing skills. May require knowledge of statistics to create useful dashboards and team facilitation skills.
• Must demonstrate strong competencies in the following areas: teamwork, customer service, organizational awareness, initiative, productivity, planning and organizing, and technical knowledge, support & consultation.
• Analytical, problem-solving, communication, leadership, operational project management, and training skills.
• Able to work with minimal direction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of lead experience.
• Experience with delivery of training and data audit & analysis.

Primary Location: Seattle, WA, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Working Hours Start: 8:00 AM Working Hours End: 5:00 PM Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Salaried, Non-Union, Exempt Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Category: Research and Development Department: KPWHRI Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Apply for Business Process Analyst