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

• Project Manager Research I 
• Research Specialist II 
• Research Support Specialist II
• Grant Management Specialist II – Pre-Award
• Business Process Analyst

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Project Manager Research I (KPWHRI)

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 829796 Date posted: 09/20/2019

Description:
JOIN THE SURVEY RESEARCH TEAM AT KPWHRI! OUR TEAM CONDUCTS HIGH QUALITY SURVEY RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES FOR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATORS AT THE INSTITUTE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS. THIS POSITION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING AND IMPLEMENTING DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES (PHONE, WEB, MAIL SURVEYS) FOR PROJECT TEAMS, ENSURING HIGH DATA QUALITY AND TEAM SATISFACTION.

Under the direction of scientific leadership, oversees and implements research projects of low to medium complexity (or phases of more complex projects) in a variety of health-related areas. Leads the project team and oversees the daily operational activities of the project, including hiring and supervising study staff, and managing participant recruitment/enrollment and data collection. Ensures compliance with grant/contract and regulatory requirements. Participates in the development of study materials and Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications. Communicates with Principal Investigator (PI) regarding progress of research. Manages administrative resources by conducting long-range project planning and developing and managing project budgets. Meets quality standards and deliverable requirements during all phases of the research project life cycle from research application development to project closeout.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Project Planning, Implementation & Quality Assurance: Create and maintain timelines, ensuring adherence to milestones, prioritizing study tasks, and reviewing progress. Attend and/or facilitate meetings.  With appropriate guidance, develop study materials, recruitment procedures, data collection instruments and tracking systems. Oversee recruitment & data collection. Develop/implement data quality procedures.  Liaise across organizational departments to facilitate coordinated strategies to effectively implement research protocols. Create/maintain operational documentation. Continuously identify/implement process improvements to enhance team functioning. May champion key technical/operational needs to management.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage study budgets of low to medium complexity. Identify/forecast personnel and other resource requirements (including long-range forecasting across multiple budget years).  Coordinate and/or approve labor distribution for staff charging effort to project. Assure timely submission of budget related items for grant and contract applications. Approve and reconcile project-related budget expenditures. Forecast expenditures, monitor spending, and identify discrepancies using available financial tools.  Anticipate budget variances and, with guidance, implement corrective measures when indicated.
• Funding & Regulatory Compliance: Prepare IRB applications, modifications, and annual continuation reports. Ensure compliance with IRB and HIPAA regulations. Ensure adherence to federal or other agency requirements. Prepare and maintain Data Use Agreements and other data compliance documentation. May monitor subcontracts to ensure compliance, under direction of PI. Under direction of PI, prepare and submit sections of study progress reports as needed.
• Communication, Supervision & Leadership: Hire, train, and supervise project staff. Facilitate effective communication among study personnel, collaborators, and consultants. May serve as an active member of the unit and KPWHRI by participating in workgroups. Share best practices across the unit.
• Science & Analysis: Assist in development, preparation and timely submission of new research proposals.  Under direction of PI, assist with analyses, interpretation of data, and preparation of technical reports, manuscripts, posters, and/or presentations.  May interact with programmers on the development of plans for ongoing programming activities

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of direct or matrix supervisory experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience managing sponsored research projects or a commensurate combination of education and experience managing sponsored research projects.

Education

• Bachelor's degree

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and written skills, with ability to relate to diverse multidisciplinary teams of scientists, analysts, clinicians, and project staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong supervisory skills.
• Knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Working knowledge of federal reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with budget development and management.
• Able to read and interpret financial data.
• Relevant computer proficiency.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to implement research protocols.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) year direct supervisory experience.
• Three (3) years of experience managing sponsored research projects or a commensurate combination of education and experience managing sponsored research projects.
• Master's degree in health sciences or health-related discipline requiring a research-based thesis.
• Quantitative skills including familiarity with basic statistical methods.
   

Primary Location: Seattle, WA, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon - 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 Specialist II (KPWHRI)

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 827643 Date posted: 09/20/2019

Description:
JOIN THE SURVEY RESEARCH TEAM AT KPWHRI! OUR TEAM CONDUCTS HIGH QUALITY SURVEY RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES FOR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATORS AT THE INSTITUTE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS. THIS POSITION WOULD PRIMARILY BE WORKING WITH THE STAFF IN OUR PHONE ROOM, WHERE WE CONDUCT TELEPHONE SURVEY INTERVIEWS WITH STUDY PARTICIPANTS ACROSS THE REGION AND BEYOND. DUE TO PHONE ROOM HOURS, THE ROLE REQUIRES REGULAR EVENING AND WEEKEND SHIFTS.

Under the general supervision of a Research Project Manager, independently performs and may oversee operational activities for research project(s) including complex recruitment, data collection, and database management guided by written protocols. Participates in the development and implementation of research protocols and procedures. Participates as part of the research team and may provide administrative support for the research study. Provides leadership to Research Specialist Is, which may include providing functional oversight and training. Receives minimal instruction on routine work and general instructions on new projects. Requires a minimum of one year of research experience and some use of independent judgment and discretion in non-routine matters.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Recruitment/Data Collection Activities:a) Independently performs (and may oversee) complex recruitment and/or data collection activities requiring specialized skills, education, or experience (e.g., medical record reviews, interviews, mailed questionnaires, physical measurements, and quality assurance). b) Interacts and communicates with study participants effectively, responding to their questions, including more difficult issues escalated by other study staff (e.g., when specified by written protocols or when the issue needs interpretation). c) May be expected to make impromptu judgment calls about sensitive situations or protocols when working unsupervised (e.g., after hours in clinic, or when supervisor is unavailable).
• Systems/Tracking - Development & Maintenancea) With appropriate guidance, develops and/or maintains written study materials, protocols, and documentation. Develops components of study procedures (e.g., recruitment strategies). b) Develops and maintains computer files, databases, and/or computer tracking systems for project documentation, monitoring, data collection, and data quality.c) Provides data reports and identifies data quality issues.
• Training/Oversight/Mentoringa) May provide functional oversight and training of Research Specialist Is and other study staff (e.g., Research Interventionists).
• Administration & Communicationa) May provide administrative support for the research study, including ordering supplies, scheduling/coordinating meetings, filing, copying, etc.b) Participates as part of the research team by attending meetings, recording minutes, identifying and communicating problems, and proposing solutions.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of experience working in health care or health research with progressively increasing responsibilities or a commensurate combination of education and experience. Such commensurate experience could include; A working knowledge of the fundamental principles of research involving human subjects; Demonstrated ability to accurately apply medical and research terminology; Experience tracking and reporting quantitative and qualitative research measures; Experience working with Protected Health Information and HIPAA and; Experience with data collection modalities relevant to the project.

Education

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

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Intermediate or demonstrated knowledge of research methodology and data collection modalities relevant to the project, e.g. medical record review, interviewing, participant assessment, recruitment and retention.
• Relevant computer proficiency.
• Intermediate written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Six (6) years of experience working in health care or health research with progressively increasing responsibilities or a commensurate combination of education and experience. Such commensurate experience could include; A working knowledge of the fundamental principles of research involving human subjects; Demonstrated ability to accurately apply medical and research terminology; Experience tracking and reporting quantitative and qualitative research measures; Experience working with Protected Health Information and HIPAA and; Experience with data collection modalities relevant to the project.
• Prior supervisory experience as required by project.
• Advanced and applied knowledge of research methodology and data collection modalities relevant to the project, e.g. medical record review, interviewing, participant assessment, recruitment and retention.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree OR four (4) years of experience in a directly related field.
   

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

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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

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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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