Research Facilitator

About the Job
The primary purpose of this position is to provide support and leadership to research projects in the Department of Family Medicine through work in a variety of roles. The employee in this position is expected to coordinate and implement research protocols, facilitate research at family practice clinics, provide writing and editing support to Department faculty and residents, and manage other assigned projects that support the Department's research mission. The job requires research knowledge as well as flexibility and ability to work on diverse projects, including research studies, practice-based research projects, process improvement studies, and qualitative research studies.

Job duties/responsibilities:

50% Practice-based facilitation and research support:

• Work with faculty and residents to support research and scholarly activities at multiple family medicine clinics.
• Work closely with clinic leadership to ensure projects have the support and resources needed.
• Attends regular meetings with faculty to understand and anticipate research support needs.
• Connect clinic researchers to Department resources and content experts.
• Consult on study design, lead and guide faculty with study start-up activities (including preparation of IRB materials and data collection instruments)
• Assist with data collection, analysis, reporting and quality assurance of projects.
• Serves as a key member of both the Clinic Review Team and the Hub Research Review Committee (HRRC), providing clinic and department specific insights to proposal reviews and decision-making.
• On behalf of Clinic Review Team/clinic leadership, manage proposals submitted to DFMCH Research Services Portal for review and approval by the clinic.
• Assist Clinic Review Team with review and prioritization of proposals from faculty, residents and students; ensure timely follow-up of proposal determination.
• Provide recommendations to Clinic Review Team on feasibility and appropriateness of proposed studies.
• Documents concerns, suggestions, requested modifications and decisions via the Research Services Portal.
• Serve as a liaison between clinic staff and the Hub.

20% Protocol Implementation:

• Operationalize research protocols for multiple projects, including single- and multi-site NIH-funded trials, practice-based research, and process improvement studies.
• Responsible for knowing protocol details, ensuring that protocol is followed, documenting study activities appropriately, and resolving issues that arise during day-to-day implementation of studies.
• Recruit, screen, consent, and enroll subjects.
• Collect data using a variety of methods including participant interviews, anthropometry measurements, chart reviews, focus groups and other procedures as required by protocol.
• Assist with survey and focus group design, facilitate focus groups, analyze qualitative data and synthesize study results.
• Assist with analyzing qualitative data projects using NVivo or Dedoose.

20% Project Management:

• Oversee and manage activities of varied assigned projects, such as local research studies and projects that support state and national practice-based research activities.
• Provide leadership in developing processes, procedures, and instruments to ensure efficient and accurate implementation of protocols.
• Provide training, monitor and analyze progress, and provide direction and recommendations to other team members to meet project goals.
• Manage project timelines and regulatory documents.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Set up contracts and manage the work for clinical research assistants who are assigned to the projects.

10% Writing, Editing, and Technical Support:

• Write and edit research and technical materials including IRB applications, consent forms, grant applications, research manuscripts, posters, presentations, abstracts, website content, and user guides.
• Assist with design of REDCap databases and surveys.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS with at least 4 years of research experience or an advanced degree plus 2 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 8 years.
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational, planning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, as a part of a team, and with changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, set and maintain deadlines and prioritize assignments.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in a clinical setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in science or public health related field.
• Experience with participant recruitment and retention in a clinical setting.
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience with electronic medical records.
• Experience with RedCap database.
• Knowledge of regulations governing research activity.
• Experience with ETHOS.

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota was created more than 50 years ago in response to a legislative mandate to train primary care physicians. Since then, we have been leaders in transforming the specialty through education, research, and patient care. We are the academic sponsor of seven family medicine residencies-five in the Twin Cities, two in Greater Minnesota. We are involved in medical student education activities across the Medical School's two campuses: Twin Cities and Duluth. We sponsor five fellowship programs-sports medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, behavioral medicine, clinical informatics, and human sexuality- and offer continuing medical education opportunities. We are regularly among the top National Institutes of Health-funded family medicine departments. Our faculty are actively researching health disparities, healthcare delivery, and population health. More at https://med.umn.edu/familymedicine.

Pay Range: $29.26 to $32.50 per hour, we anticipate most offers will be around the midpoint of this range, depending on education and experience.

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, pharmacy and disability plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).