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

• Director, MacColl Center for Health Care Innovation
• Research Support Specialist II
• Grant Management Specialist II – Pre-Award
• Business Process Analyst
• Research Communications Consultant (KPWHRI)

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Research Communications Consultant (KPWHRI)

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 810654 Date posted: 07/26/2019

Description:
Provides a range of specialized writing, editing, training, and consultation services for research communications. Responsible for the original development of information for external audiences, including study recruitment materials, research summaries, and KPWHRI newsletters and blogs. Provides creative products to promote Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington's and KPWHRI's image and mission, its capabilities and participation in its research studies to research collaborators, health care providers, study participants (patients) locally and nationwide. Provides expert plain language consultation and editing for KPWHRI grant proposals and funded studies. Designs and coordinates key Institute-wide communication initiatives.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provides specialized in-house copywriting and consultation services to KPWHRI faculty and staff for core projects and research studies. Creates, designs, and writes complex communications, annual reports, capabilities brochures, newsletters, blogs, advertisements, fact sheets, and informational materials for external audiences. Develops creative strategies, tactics, and copywriting for study recruitment and intervention materials. Researches information to clearly and accurately explain study procedures or research findings. Ensures that messages and content tone support the brand identity and are appropriately modified for the target audience. Works collaboratively to ensure consistency with brand and design guidelines.
• Helps coordinate and prioritize incoming projects, set project parameters, and oversee costs, time management, copy and production flow. Provides data management and project management expertise to improve the unit's operations. Contributes to Web content development and maintains working knowledge of KPWHRI's content management system. Serves as a back-up for the KPWHRI graphic services coordinator, providing print management and design support as needed.
• Provides readability editing and consultation service related to research consent forms and other print materials for research study participants. Provides expert health literacy and plain language consultation for grant applications and funded research studies, including writing and editing, and advising on communication strategies, best practices, data, and publicly available resources related to health literacy.
• Designs and coordinates internal communications in areas such as Institute-wide initiatives or Communications Unit updates. Leads the writing, review, and editing of internal resources, such as the Communications Unit content on the KPWHRI intranet. Creates communication tools and vehicles to build staff understanding of key initiatives.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in copywriting and editing research and/or health communications.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in education, communications, or health field OR 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:

• Knowledge of branding and image development.
• Ability to develop creative, effective communication programs and manage multiple, complex projects with results-focus in a fast- paced complex research environment.
• Computer skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of plain-language principles, research practices, and organizational structure.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively and to research journal articles and technical materials for translation into lay language.
• Demonstrated leadership in research, critical thinking, project management, problem-solving, and analytic skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of plain-language principles, research practices, and organizational structure.
• Ability to write research newsletters and other corporate communications materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working collaboratively with an Institutional Review Board.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in copywriting internal and corporate research communications.
• Five (5) or more years of experience editing for literacy in a health care or health research environment and working.
• Experience with branding and image development.
• Excellence in developing creative, effective communication programs and managing multiple, complex projects with results-focus in a fast-paced complex research environment.

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: Varies Working Hours End: Varies 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

If you have questions about this listing, please email Joan.M.Declaire@kp.org

Apply for Research Communications Consultant (KPWHRI)