Clinical Epidemiologist

Department Overview

The appointee shall provide services as assigned by the supervisor in furtherance of the university’s missions and goals of teaching, research, patient care, outreach and public service.

This position reports to (supervisor): Valerie King, Clinical Research Director

Function/Duties of Position

Independently Develop, Write, and Present Evidence Synthesis Research Products for Policymaker Audiences

• Lead the preparation of research products for public payers and health policy decision makers according to Center research methods, and style guidelines, ensuring accuracy and clarity, and using narrative text, tables, and appropriate illustrations. 
• Serve as a clinical leader in the interpretation and communication of evidence, policy, and research findings to state policymakers and other decision makers through webinars, meetings, conferences and other forums.
• Research and analyze the context of client question(s) and convert into structured, answerable research questions.
• Work with an information specialist to construct and carry out appropriate search strategies addressing research questions posed by clients.
• Identify relevant research studies, additional grey literature, clinical practice guidelines, and policy documents, and determine their relevance to the research question(s). 
• Critically evaluate the risk of bias and applicability of included research studies and clinical practice guidelines.
• Appropriately assign a certainty of evidence rating (e.g., GRADE) from the body of evidence for select outcomes.
• Conduct or collaborate with colleagues to perform meta-analyses for evidence synthesis projects, as needed.
• Manage evidence synthesis steps and workflow using structured systematic review software (e.g., DistillerSR)
• Develop interview protocols and conduct interviews with key informants, as needed.
• Identify and contextualize relevant federal, state, and organizational policy documents and develop considerations that integrate evidence, policy context and other information relevant for policymakers.
• Create and manage references in a citation management software program (e.g., EndNote).
• Collaborate with data analysts and other team members on quantitative analyses and the interpretation of findings to support evidence-informed policy and program decision-making.
• Provide clinical consultation and interpretation to interdisciplinary teams.

Provide Leadership for Potential and Ongoing Research Activities 

• Serve as a high-level project leader for technical assistance, health technology assessment programs, and other Center projects. 
• Serve as an initial reviewer of selected reports, and review research methods documents as directed by the Research Directors.
• Contribute to development of research and report methodology.
• Contribute to requests for proposal submissions for relevant projects.
• Contribute to the ongoing Center development and various project deliverables via participation in selected project teams and staff meetings.
• Provide training, mentorship, and supervision to Research Associates, Policy Analysts, and other colleagues at the Center, as needed.
• Provide clinical consultation, subject matter expertise, and knowledge of Medicaid or other payer policy development to researchers, policy analysts, data analysts and other Center staff to support the design, interpretation and communication of research, analyses and technical assistance provided to Center clients.

Project Management

• Track project progress, anticipate next steps, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality research products.
• Manage assigned project activities, timelines, and deliverables, proactively identifying and addressing barriers to project completion.
• Incorporate feedback constructively and efficiently, revising work products as needed to meet project objectives, methodological standards, and client needs.
• Adapt work products as needed to meet project objectives, methodological standards and client needs.

Communication and Dissemination

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with Center clients, research partners, data and policy resources, and a wide range of state and federal agencies, healthcare organizations and stakeholders.
• Represent the Center effectively at selected national and state conferences, meetings, and other professional forums, preparing materials and delivering presentations that effectively communicate evidence, research findings, and policy considerations to diverse audiences, including senior policymakers and other decision makers. 

Required Qualifications

• MD, DO, PharmD, other clinical discipline (e.g., nursing, psychology) with relevant doctoral degree, or other relevant PhD or equivalent terminal degree; or equivalent combination of clinical expertise with additional experience and education in health policy. Extensive coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, and research methodology.

• At least 10 years’ experience applying these skills to support health policy decision making.

• Experience working with Medicaid or another government-administered health or human services program in a policy, research, analytic, clinical or administrative capacity.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize and interpret evidence and translate complex findings into clear, actionable written products and oral presentations for policymakers and other decision makers.

• Experience presenting research findings and policy-relevant evidence, with a high degree of facility, to diverse audiences, including public sector leaders and decision makers.

• Strong research skills, including expertise in study design, evidence synthesis, critical appraisal, epidemiology, biostatistics,quantitative and qualitative methods, and policy analysis. 

• Experience producing, evaluating and adapting systematic reviews and meta-analyses to support policy and program decision making.

• Experience critically appraising research studies, systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, and related evidence sources. 

• Experience assessing the risk of bias and certainty of evidence (e.g., GRADE).

• Demonstrated ability to provide clinical expertise and consultation to interdisciplinary teams, including researchers, policy analysts, data analysts and others to support the interpretation and application of evidence.

• Experience working with or in government-administered health or human service programs, including policy development, administration, research or analysis, with demonstrated understanding of state health policy and Medicaid. 

• Experience in applying evidence and policy research to support public decision making processes.

• Experience working collabotatively within interdisciplinary research environments to develop high quality products that meet client needs and timelines. 

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead research activities, mange multiple priorities, and deliver high quality products on time and within budget.

• Ability to adapt and refine work processes and products in response to client needs, evolving policy environments and stakeholder feedback.

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, including the ability to adhere to style guidelines and respond constructively to to reviewer and editor feedback.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook.

• Experience using systematic review, citation management, and related research software applications (e.g., EndNote, DistillerSR).

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously. 

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to develop productive relationships with clients, colleagues, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders. 

• Ability to provide training, mentorship and guidance to colleagues and project teams, as needed.

• Ability to interact productively with clients and engage them in projects.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, maintain confidentiality, professional demeanor and attitude in all situations, including sensitive or high-profile situations.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to team environments. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics or statistics.

• Experience working with systematic review software applications (e.g., DistillerSR).

• Experience conducting meta-analysis using common software applications (e.g., RevMan, Stata).

• Experience analyzing primary and secondary datasets, particularly state-level datasets from programs such as Medicaid.

• Experience conducting cost-benefit-analysis, program evaluation, or economic analyses. 

• Record of peer-reviewed publications.

Additional Details

Ability to travel within state or out of state for meetings, if needed.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]