Overview

Conceptualizes, designs, implements, and disseminates translational and other practice and policy research relevant in the home health care setting. Obtains outside government and philanthropic resources to support research, and to disseminate and translate practice-relevant home and community-based research. Collaborates with internal and external contacts from academia and the nursing and medical fields in designing and conducting research and then in translating research findings into practice. Works under general supervision.

Responsibilities
Identifies critical research and practice issues in home and community-based health care that are of significance to VNSNY and the national home care community; pursues research and policy projects for study as Principal Investigator.Contributes to the development of the Research Center’s annual goals and objectives; identifies key research issues and trends and helps others design policy relevant projects and practice improvements.Develops study designs, methodologies and protocols, and leads ongoing research and practice/policy studies on the organization, financing, use, cost and outcomes of home and community-based and long-term care.Oversees the accumulation, computation, and analysis of data (both quantitative and qualitative).Monitors availability of funding sources (e.g. governmental, private foundation and corporate) for research.Collaborates with Research Center staff and the Information Systems Department (“IS”) to specify data collection/parameters and possible system adaptations needed to use VNSNY administrative and clinical databases forresearch on service use, outcomes, and costs.Conducts and oversees sophisticated/advanced literature searches. Reviews current literature to determine if content or data may be of value to the Research Center projects, as well as suitability for enclosure in grant applications.Reviews, evaluates, and summarizes data and reports for Research Directors, Senior Management, and other internal/external constituencies (e.g. sponsors), as needed.Maintains an independent program of externally funded research. Collaborates with the Research Center leadership and staff on the design of research projects including the statistical methods to be employed, potential data sources, and operational measures for key analytic variables.Submits research findings to appropriate scientific and professional journals for peer review and publication in independent journals and other recognized publications.Submits abstracts for conference presentations and attends professional meetings.Plans and evaluates staffing needs for project activities.Keeps abreast of latest developments in research field, identifies trends for possible future investigation and maintains cooperative relationships with the Agency, and outside experts from academia, nursing, and medical field.Participates in the planning and implementation of Center activities focused on increasing the involvement and visibility of VNSNY nursing staff in Center projects and publications. Performs all duties inherent in a managerial role.  Ensures effective staff training, evaluates staff performance, provides input for the development of the department budget, and hires promotes, and terminates staff and recommends salary actions as appropriate.Participates in special projects and performs other duties as required.
Qualifications

Education:

Doctorate degree (PhD) with content expertise in Nursing, Public Health, Medicine, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Gerontology, Health Economics, Informatics, Epidemiology, or other related area required. 

Experience:

Minimum of three years of experience as an independent, lead investigator required.Minimum of three years of experience designing and conducting collaborative health services research required. Prior project management experience and experience utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods to conduct data analysis/data management required. Demonstrated ability to successfully obtain foundation or government grant funding required.  Proven publication and presentation record required. Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate others and be a team player required. Knowledge of and prior work experience in home health care setting preferred. Prior experience working with large data sets, decision support, geriatrics, chronic disease management, palliative care, and/or practice behavior change also preferred. A joint appointment with an academic medical center or university will be considered.