Careers

Description:

Investigators at Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division are seeking a full-time Research Assistant to work on studies of Veterans’ sexual and reproductive health care beginning in Autumn 2021. This position will primarily support a clinical trial of an interactive online reproductive health decision tool called MyPath. The VA serves a racially and socioeconomically diverse population of Veterans nationwide, including many people that have historically experienced unequal and/or harmful reproductive healthcare in the US. MyPath builds Veterans’ knowledge and gives them tools to communicate with their health care providers about their reproductive desires and needs. This work is grounded in principles of reproductive autonomy, justice, and patient-centered care.

This position may also support other team projects, which include a study of MyPath among postpartum individuals with opioid use disorder, a contraceptive access needs assessment, a study of racial disparities in uterine fibroid treatment, a study of care coordination processes for women’s health care at VA, and others. The assistant will work with a diverse and collaborative team of investigators, graduate students, and project coordinators.

Diversity enriches training and research and promotes the best health care. We are committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive environment for our team and to addressing health inequities for the Veterans we serve. We encourage individuals whose backgrounds or interests align with this commitment, as well as individuals from all backgrounds that are underrepresented in research and medicine, to apply. 

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide daily operational and administrative support for the study and as a part of the women’s health research team
• Manage the research team’s relationship with the MyPath software developers for issues of maintenance and support of the tool
• Provide support with team website and social media management
• Coordinate study-related communication and administrative tasks, including study mailings, monitoring study opt-outs, and processing participant payments
• Assist with data collection, including in-person or phone interviews with Veterans and health care providers
• Depending on candidate’s interests and skills, job duties may include other research, writing, and analysis activities

Minimum qualifications:

• Candidates must be a US citizen.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; or at least two years of professional experience in a health care or research field
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. This includes the ability to manage one’s own time, track aspects of a complex research study, ensure high-quality data collection, protect patient confidentiality, and manage complex schedules
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to coordinate and communicate about team projects, and adapt communication style to different audiences
• Strong customer service skills, including the ability to set participants at ease during study recruitment and surveys. Discusses sensitive topics in a neutral and non-judgmental way
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Team member must be able to work successfully within a diverse team and with a research portfolio that prioritizes health equity
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook

Desired qualifications:

• Experience managing social media strategy and/or website development
• Experience conducting telephone outreach
• Interest in health services research
• Interest in working with Veterans

Salary is dependent on candidate’s experience and education. Position includes benefits. VA positions are classified using the federal General Schedule (GS) system. We expect this position to be classified as a GS-5 or GS-7, depending on candidate’s experience. Salary levels may be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/21Tables/html/SEA.aspx

Position involves a combination of remote and on-site work, depending on project needs and candidate’s preferences.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Sam Benson (Samantha.Benson@va.gov) on or before May 24, 2021.