Community Research Facilitator - Research Project Coordinator

Department Overview

The Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN) was established in 2002 at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. ORPRN is dedicated to improving the health outcomes and equity for all Oregonians through community-partnered research, education and Health Systems Transformation. ORPRN is committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist organization. We do so by evaluating how we develop and support our workforce, the partnerships we uphold, and how we engage in our work throughout Oregon. ORPRN facilitates a broad variety of health care research, quality improvement projects, and practice transformation efforts throughout Oregon through the work of Community Research Facilitators. Facilitators are located regionally around the state.

The Community Research Facilitator (CRF) is a key staff member, working under the direction of a project manager or research administrator to provide project coordination and research support on moderate or multiple small to moderate-sized research studies, implementation science projects, and technical assistance programs. The CRF may assist with scheduling, recruitment, data collection, data entry, and documentation of limited to moderate complexity. The CRF manages expectations, timelines, and deliverables with partner organizations. The CRF develops quality improvement (QI) infrastructure with participating practices and works with community partners to plan projects and identify community priorities. In addition to community engagement, the CRF assists in planning experimental design, participates in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and participates in QI curriculum development. The CRF participates in dissemination efforts, including developing sections of grant proposals, manuscripts, and presentations.

Under general supervision, the CRF can interpret and apply project protocols and contribute scientifically. They understand practice facilitation, quality improvement, and community engagement concepts and can resolve problems of limited to moderate scope and complexity. They exercise independent judgement and take action, and seek advice as necessary. Travel around Oregon is required for this position.

This position is based on the Oregon north coast (Clatsop, Columbia or Tillamook counties). 

Function/Duties of Position

Project Coordination & Research Support

• Coordinate or manage small projects or sections of larger projects
• Draft sections of grant proposals, particularly those focusing on practice facilitation or community engagement. This may include leading distinct portions of applications or short-duration or small-scale projects.
• Develop protocols and strategies for practice recruitment or community engagement.
• Implement study and QI protocols
• Participate in the collection, tracking, and/or analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data.
• Participate in and/or lead dissemination activities, including publication of manuscripts and presentations and professional conferences. 

Practice Facilitation & Building Quality Improvement (QI) Infrastructure with Regional Clinics

• Engage inter-professional clinic teams in practice transformation: train in use of QI skills, tools and systems; participate in team QI meetings; coach and motivate clinic teams.
• Support clinics to develop skills for population-based health and data-driven quality improvement; provide tailored support to clinic teams to guide implementation of patient navigation and preventive care outreach programs.
• Facilitate clinic group discussions to set priorities and aid decision making.
• Create and model QI methods and tools with inter-disciplinary clinic teams, set improvement goals, and coach and motivate practices to reach goals.
• Teach QI tools and strategies to peers at ORPRN; participate in ORPRN QI curriculum development; teach effective strategies for working with practices; lead trainings or workshops. 

Community & Partner Engagement

• Promote community research priorities and support community members in initiating and conducting research; build clinical research capacity.
• Foster relationships with community organizations to bridge project work, reporting local needs, identifying topics or issues for future research, building a list of contacts, and developing trust across the community.
• Serve as primary regional liaison, representing ORPRN with OHSU, regional health systems, critical access hospitals, Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), and community health improvement organizations.
• Work with partners to identify new projects and plan for ongoing work.
• Identify community priorities for evaluation. 

General OHSU and ORPRN Responsibilities

• Complete surveys and trainings required by OHSU and ORPRN
• Participate in ORPRN workgroups and attend meetings and retreats
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in relevant field (such as research, health sciences, public health, social services, or other related fields) AND 1 year of relevant experience OR 

• Equivalent combination of training and experience

• Experience should include a combination of experience in public health core competencies relevant to the position –patient recruitment and consent, practice facilitation and quality improvement methods, primary care settings

• Demonstrated knowledge in implementation science, change management, and systems change 

• Demonstrated knowledge in community-engaged research and the principles of community engagement 

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to scientific/technical audiences, healthcare personnel, and lay audiences 

• Excellent organization skills

• Ability to work independently in a multi-task environment, assisting in the management of daily operations for moderate projects or programs

• Ability to perform the job duties with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 or more years’ experience in practice facilitation or quality improvement 

• 2 or more years’ experience in community engagement / community-engaged research

• 2 or more years in research data collection

• 1 or more years in a primary care setting

• Experience in outreach, patient recruitment and clinic recruitment

• Ability to create or modify spreadsheets, data entry forms, and reports 

• Experience with survey tools 

• Knowledge of quality improvement methods 

• Knowledge of community engagement methods 

• Experience with PCPCH.

• Experience with REDCap 

• Experience with other research software 

• Participation in the Research Coordinator Workshop and completion of a Study Coordinator training series

• CPHQ, ACRP or SOCRA certification

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]