SENIOR MANAGER OF RESEARCH-DC COHORT

About Whitman-Walker

Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all persons are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and wellbeing. Through care, advocacy, research, and education, we empower all persons to live healthy, love openly, and achieve equality and inclusion. For over 50 years, we have been meeting the needs of our communities with the endless dedication of our diverse teams.

Job Summary

The Manager of Research-DC Cohort oversees the management, implementation, and operations of the DC Cohort at Whitman-Walker Health, providing programmatic leadership of DC Cohort related research. In this role, the Manager of Research-DC Cohort provides direct oversight of the DC Cohort protocol, subject recruitment, data collection and resolution of data queries, as well as, quality assurance, and regulatory operations for research studies and protocols; and ensures the ongoing cost-effective, compliant, ethical, and methodologically sound implementation of all research activities. The Manager of Research-DC Cohort ensures a well-functioning staffing model for the DC Cohort and research projects, providing supervision and training of key staff and works directly with DC Cohort Principal Investigator and leadership to ensure all aspects of research project operations are fully implemented according to study protocol and internal standard operating procedures. The Manager of Research-DC Cohort is expected to work closely with other relevant departments regarding project needs and serve as a leader to achieve short-term and long-term success of the DC Cohort research study at Whitman-Walker Health.

Core Primary Essential Duties:

• Performs and behaves in accordance with Whitman-Walker’s mission, cultural norms and core values of dignity, respect, affirmation and humility.
• Maintains a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner with patients/clients/staff.
• Demonstrates excellent care and  concern for research participants, following all relevant protections and safeguards to minimize risks and ensure voluntary participation and confidentiality
• Adheres to Whitman-Walker policies and procedures, with special attention given to research ethics, compliance, funder policies, privacy/confidentiality, and HIPAA requirements.
• Maintains data integrity through conscientious use of relevant tools and employing a system of checks and balances.
• Demonstrates organizational skills necessary to multi-task, meet deadlines and re-prioritize as needed.
• Participates in organizational quality and performance improvement activities.
• Trains and ensure all staff are following organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Reviews and monitors workload and workflow by assigning tasks that assure equity of workload and promote the provision of high-quality service.
• Is responsible forth schedule of tasks that are rotated among staff.
• Liaisons between department and other internal departments to discuss workload and workflow.
• Actively works to support the mission of Whitman-Walker by supporting and collaborating with departments throughout Whitman-Walker Health.

Role-Specific Essential Duties

• Work in close collaboration with investigators to maintain high-level oversight of all research programmatic operations and implementation duties assigned and supervises staff responsible for the day-to-day coordination and implementation of such functions.
• Provides on-site supervision of the DC Cohort to ensure effective multi-site operations, including overseeing and maintaining site-specific inventory and ongoing availability of necessary materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Works with investigators and department leadership to oversee, evaluate, and enhance all research protocols and related operations.
• Oversees a cost-effective, well-functioning, and well-supported project staffing model, ensuring the successful management of dedicated project staff for research protocols by ensuring continuity, appropriate coverage, task distribution, and overall needs.
• Oversees the successful management of staff onboarding and trainings and ensuring data quality.
• Oversees the use of all departmental systems for the management of source documentation, tracking, and recruitment for research studies and clinical trials.
• Oversees the development of concise, well-written Standard Operating Procedures, in accordance with departmental and institutional policies and procedures, with support from project staff; conducts training on, supervises, and conducts quality assurance checks to ensure consistency with all Standard Operating Procedures used within research.
• Supports the administrative team with the development, review, and maintenance of budgets for research grants, contracts, and other projects and activities, including staff effort allocations and ongoing spending.
• Oversees the management of regulatory activities, including initial IRB submissions, protocol modifications, continuing reviews, reporting, and corrective actions.
• In consultation with investigators, oversees the design, implementation, and improvements of quality control and quality assurance activities for studies and protocols.
• Oversees communication between external and internal research partners and staff; serving as the primary point person and/or participating in relevant tainings from collaborating institutions, as needed.
• Oversees the coordination of any necessary consultations with or referrals to internal and external resources for research participants, such as behavioral health support, primary care, and specialty care.
• Participates in management meetings to act upon a variety of matters including personnel matters and provides updates and reports as requested 
• Supporting management in fact finding efforts concerning managerial actions or union grievance processing 
• Reviews and makes recommendations for changes to collective bargaining agreements and the Employee Handbook to ensure ongoing compliance 
• Other duties as assigned.

Budget Responsibilities

• Supports oversight of individual project budgets/accounts.

Management Responsibilities

• Supervises and trains research staff to ensure uniform, proactive, and highly functional management of research projects and programming.

Core Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage time and effort in order to meet strategic objectives.
• Knowledge of all applicable Whitman-Walker Health policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of healthcare information systems with the ability to adapt to new electronic medical record and population health platforms.
• Ability to maintain records and information in an accurate, timely, and confidential manner.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the service delivery model, re-prioritizing as necessary.
• Ability to prepare accurate, concise and comprehensive reports.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including afternoon and evening shifts, as necessary.
• Flexibility to work with in the organizations various locations as necessary.
• Commitment to health equity.

Role Specific- Knowledge, Skills and Talents Required:

• Knowledge of HIV and LGBTQ+ health and approaches to both quantitative and qualitative research focused on health equity.
• Knowledge of and experience with general protocols for biomedical, public health, and social/behavioral research studies, including clinical trials, cohort studies, and related programs.
• Strong management skills and ability to conduct ongoing training and supervision.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including the ability to function efficiently as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interviews that respect the dignity and diversity of clients.
• Ability to prepare accurate, concise and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to maintain records and information in an accurate, timely and confidential manner.
• Excellent organizational skills, including proficiency in use of computer word processing and data entry programs and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Education and Experience Required

• Master’s degree in a research or related fieldrequiredor at least 5 years of equivalent work experiencerequired;relevanteducationaltrainingbeyondthisdegreemaybeconsideredasadditionalyears of experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in research project coordination within the context offederally-fundedorindustry-sponsoredresearchisrequired,whichshouldincludenofewerthan3 years in a management position with evidence of effective staff supervision.
• Experience working with a broadly diverse population and ability to work harmoniously with diverse groups of individuals required.

Working Conditions:

• Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. The Manager of Research-DC Cohort will be onsite, in clinic, at a minimum of 4 days a week to recruit study participants and supervise DC Cohort staff. May be required to work evenings and /or weekends and organization events.

Physical Demands:

• Lifting: Nomorethan20lbs.andinfrequently.
• Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.
• Visual: Long-term computer use.
• Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.
• Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.