Research Specialist

HealthPartners is hiring for a full-time Research Specialist for the Center for Evaluation and Survey Research department.

POSITION PURPOSE:
Provide support to Evaluation and Survey Research Center by coordinating and facilitating activities of data collection and staff, specifically Research Technicians. Provide support to Center for Evaluation and Survey Research Manager.

Accountabilities:
Be proficient in all aspects of data collection as required of Research Technicians, including:
Facilitate appointments (collect forms, administer questionnaires, schedule future appointments)
Enter information into a database
Interview participants via phone following prescribed protocol
Assist in preparation of mailed surveys
Prepare, mail and track communication as required
Assist with hiring and training of data collection center Research Technicians involved in survey distribution and collection, data capture and management.
Direct the work of a limited number of Research Technicians to include schedule oversight and workload prioritization.
Keep and manage inventory of materials needed for data collection activities.
Develop and maintain good relationships with project staff as well as internal and external contacts.
Maintain and update training manuals for survey center staff.
Maintain and follow study protocols and timelines for project completion.
Maintain and update project documentation.
Assist with adherence activities.
Supply data for reports.
Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Associate degree in health science related field, with one year of relevant work experience preferably in a health science related field.
Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Endnote or similar software programs.
Excellent writing skills (excellent spelling, grammar and editing skills).
Ability to communicate effectively verbally.
Strong attention to detail.
Exceptionally good organizational skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with medical persons, study participants, project staff, and others.
Strong data-entry skills.
Knowledge of research methodology.
Ability to adapt to shifting priorities.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree in a social science or health-related field.
1-2 years research experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated excellent communications skills in representing directed needs of Research Foundation to outside agencies and organizations.
Ability to take broad guidelines of a task, initiate a course of action and then coordinate the activity through completion.
Ability to adhere to a research protocol but also has sufficient flexibility and judgment to handle unforeseen situations that may arise.
Ability to recognize potential inefficiencies in the protocol procedures and to suggest improvements.
Experience with PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Access and RedCap software packages.
Research related survey work experience.
Formal knowledge of survey methods.
Experience with survey development software packages, scanning systems, and data collection

MAJOR CHALLENGES:
The Research Specialist will need to be comfortable calling potential research participants to introduce study and survey opportunities for a large portion of their workday.
Satisfy the requirements of multiple study investigators/project managers or Center for Evaluation and Survey Research team members in delivering quality products within required deadlines.
Must be very well organized, accurate and able to work within short deadlines.
Must follow publication, proposal and project guidelines accurately and consistently.

DECISION-MAKING:
The research protocol and federal regulations regarding patient rights in research are the principal limits. Problems where there is conflict between the research needs and GHI operations would be clarified and referred if necessary to supervisor.
Responsible for a variety of administrative projects requiring independent judgement and action.
Position must follow guidelines established by CITI training, federal grant regulations and HealthPartners’ and HealthPartners Institute’s operating standards.