What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

We seek a Part-Time (50%FTE/ 20hrs/wk) Research Nurse to join the UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin, TX. This position supports the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies (TCHMB), a perinatal quality collaborative (PQC) dedicated to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The selected candidate will play a key role in the Congenital Syphilis Quality Improvement and Toolkit Creation Project, which focuses on supporting clinics across Texas. This initiative aims to develop and implement best practices for screening, treating, and managing congenital syphilis. The work will directly contribute to improving care delivery and patient outcomes while fostering collaboration and innovation among healthcare providers across the state. This is a Hybrid position. 

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees   Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)  The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!  Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)  Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

Free financial and legal counseling  Free mental health counseling services  Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs  Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.  Resources for child and elder care  Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Coordinates and conducts quality improvement projects and related activities as assigned by a Senior Nurse Manager or other leadership staff. Recruits, screens, and enrolls potential survey participants. May be assigned multiple protocols. 

The Research Nurse will support clinics and hospitals across Texas in implementing statewide quality improvement (QI) initiatives. This individual will serve as a key resource in helping healthcare organizations establish improvement measures, determine actionable data points, and strategize data extraction from Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. While this position does not involve direct technical work with EHR systems, it requires a clear understanding of data needs and the ability to guide teams in identifying relevant metrics. The Research Nurse will also assist in providing education and coaching to improve care outcomes and represent the organization in various public forums to present QI initiatives and findings.

Position Key Accountabilities:

Recruits and screens patients as necessary for QI project and in accord with QI protocols Enrolls suitable candidates, ensuring all necessary documentation is collected and processed. Provides basic background and education to participants regarding the QI project, and potential risks or benefits of participation. Inputs data and maintains  databases and related records needed for QI activities. Schedules follow-up visits and maintains contact with patients, department staff, and other faculty members as directed by the Senior Nurse Manager . Distributes relevant QI information to faculty, staff, principal investigator, and others as requested. Collaborates with healthcare organizations to identify improvement goals and develop measurable objectives for quality improvement projects. Guides clinics and hospitals in determining what data to extract from their EHR systems to monitor progress and outcomes effectively. Facilitates communication between clinic/hospital staff and project faculty to ensure alignment on QI measures and initiatives. Develops and delivers educational materials, presentations, and reports to support QI initiatives. Act as a spokesperson and present QI initiatives, progress, and outcomes at conferences, meetings, and workshops. Provides program management support, including planning, coordinating, and tracking progress for QI projects. Acts as a liaison between stakeholders to promote collaboration and maintain consistent progress toward goals. Contributes to the development of toolkits, resources, and documentation to support hospital and clinic QI efforts. Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Certification/Skills:

Registered Nurse (State of Texas)

Preferred:

Strong knowledge of quality improvement methodologies (e.g., IHI Model for Improvement, Lean, Six Sigma). Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking experience and preparing reports and educational materials. Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. Familiarity with EHR systems and clinical data management

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school with one (1) year of related experience or Associates degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school with three (3) years of related experience.

Minimum Experience:

Years of experience varies based on education level.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.