Clinical Research Program Manager

The Clinical Research Program Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of a new program to improve patient-reported outcomes and reduce symptom burden among Veterans with cancer across two VISNs. The Manager is responsible for all institutional and administrative aspects including regulatory document completion and maintenance, milestone tracking, reporting, and ensuring full adherence to compliance regulations. The Program Manager is a collaborative leader who takes initiative for staff supervision, customer satisfaction and process improvement.

The goal of our lab is improving quality of life for Veterans with Cancer. The Program Manager will be overseeing the development of a new program to reduce symptom burden and improve other patient reported outcomes among Veterans with cancer. The program will require an understanding of current methods by which symptoms are identified and addressed across VA facilities within VISN21 and 22. This will require developing interviews with clinicians and front-line staff at the facilities, working with the Veteran Experience Office to understand processes, and creating new workflows to improve Veteran symptom assessment and management across two VISNs. The Program Manager will be responsible for supervision and training of study staff, creation and maintenance of interview guides and protocols and standard operating procedures, engaging with National VA program office, engaging with Veterans Experience Office, scheduling meetings, regulatory compliance, monitoring program budgets and expenses. They will also be asked to assist with interviews of clinicians and front-line staff as well as Veterans and their caregivers, data collection, and ensuring data integrity. This position is a hybrid position with 75% expected to be in-person. This position provides the unique opportunity (and privilege) to partner and interact frequently with people with a serious illness and to develop and create a new program that will likely improve their health and quality of life.

BENEFITS

PAVIR offers generous benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, vision, dental, 14 paid holidays, paid vacation time, sick pay, a 401(k) with a fully vested 6% company match and 3% profit share, a wellness program, commuter benefits, and professional development training. Plus, we pay for life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• The incumbent serves as a conduit to all VA services through direct contact with veterans and agencies and partners.
• The incumbent coordinates and/or leads the program including day-to-day program operations and administration.
• The incumbent will be responsible for program development or expansion.
• The incumbent plans and implements program operations, identifies and develops governance, processes and/or guidelines, coordinates program activities and timelines, and coordinates to meet program objectives.
• The incumbent attends regular meetings with program staff and Director and the National Oncology Program Office.
• The incumbent prepares memos and other documents for reporting of program activities.
• The incumbent tracks program activities as it relates to milestones agreed upon by the National Oncology Program and the Proactive, Patient-centered care Program.
• The incumbent develops assessment tools including interview guides to understand current symptom assessment and management strategies within the VA for patients within oncology using implementation frameworks as guides. Develops approaches to expand assessment tools to assess symptom assessment and management strategies across the national level.
• The incumbent will assist in the development of proactive symptom management strategies and work with operational teams to integrate methods into CPRS and Cerner across VISN21 and VISN22
• The incumbent collaborates with Oncologists and staff within VSIN21 & VSIN 22 in the implementation of the program, resolution of any issues, and growth of the program. Identifies any logistics, action items, changes, or information needed to effectively manage the program.
• The incumbent analyzes data for evaluating performance of program or program operations, including quality assurance and trends. Makes recommendations to leadership. Provides a summary of findings to program collaborators and leadership.
• The incumbent, in conjunction with leadership, responsible for planning, monitoring, and leading program fiscal budgets and financials, and resolves issues.
• The incumbent maintains data system integrity and ensures quality assurance measures are followed based on standard operating procedures for the program. May provide ad hoc reporting to support recommendations observed through trend analysis for future planning and improvements. Reviews all aspects of the program to ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• The incumbent will be responsible for designing and developing tools and knowledge products, including surveys, database reports, etc. Proactively works with National Oncology program leaders to identify needs and develop information products to meet the needs of the program. Coordinates with Program Director and field leaders to identify needs and develop information products to inform management of symptoms and symptom assessment for cancer care for veterans.
• The incumbent will design and manage tools and knowledge products, including surveys and databases, reports, etc. The incumbent will evaluate information and make recommendations for effective organizational changes, including those related to the collection of data and presentation of information.
• Demonstrates the ability to be innovative and creative within program parameters.
• Will have frequent check ins with data collectors and data abstractors to create a dashboard of data that can be utilized for program needs.
• The incumbent will develop training materials or other tools to assist other managers/peers in utilizing data and reports that are produced.
• The incumbent evaluates information and makes recommendations for effective organizational changes. Presents reports and studies that are made available to a wide variety of constituents, including oversight team and external stakeholders. Translates data into meaningful management information. Shares information regarding the effectiveness of program in meeting goals and objectives. Ensures the accuracy of information delivered and is responsible for total management for all assigned functions related to assigned program area. This includes, but is not limited to technical delivery, program ownership, accountability, and long -range strategic planning. Develops training materials or other tools to assist other managers/peers in utilizing data and reports that are produced. Monitor dashboard user satisfaction to drive enhancements and increase performance. Reviews, justifies, and recommends appropriate resources to run the program effectively.
• Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required: Bachelor's degree required;
• Valid Driver's License;
• 3 years of experience in the conduct and coordination of clinical programs or research;
• Prior experience of supervising staff;
• Prior experience with qualitative research methods is required.
• Preferred: MPH or other Graduate degree preferred;
• Prior experience as a Program Manager is preferred, but not required.
• Prior experience with program development is preferred.
• Leadership; cooperation; and initiative. Demonstrated or potential supervisory talents and skills, including conflict resolution;
• Familiarity with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the research field;
• Demonstrated track record of setting and meeting goals as well as self-prioritizing in a deadline-driven environment. Strong project leadership, process improvement, decision making, organization, planning, and implementation skills. Strong process orientation with an ability to set priorities, analyze and resolve problems, and make decisions in a timely fashion. Ability to balance attention to detail with big picture thinking; work in partnership with scientists in a customer-oriented environment; effectively balance customer service with regulatory compliance is strongly desired;
• Ability to lead, influence and motivate in teams, including cross-functional workgroups and teams. Ability to attract, manage, develop, evaluate and retain staff; ability to lead influence, and motivate individuals and teams; skilled in holding staff accountable and developing their abilities to perform their jobs;
• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills plus organization skills with experiencing interpreting goals and objectives into an operational model. Excellent decision-making skills including ability to analyze complex and/or ambiguous situations, identify workable solutions and their potential outcomes, and make appropriate determinations based on regulations and policies; must possess high ethical standards, good judgment, and ability to review detailed work for critical incongruencies;
• An effective and constructive communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong oral and written skills and a willingness to share information. A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality. Ability to establish credibility throughout the organization as an effective listener and problem solver. Ability to lead discussions related to personnel performance, development and growth;
• Highly proficient with computer applications including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Adobe, and online submission portals (RedCap) is strongly preferred;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently;
• Ability to stay current in job knowledge and technology.
• Strong interpersonal skills are a must.

ABOUT PALO ALTO VETERANS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH (PAVIR)

PAVIR facilitates research and education activities conducted at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. At PAVIR we work with more than 160 uniquely talented medical scientists. We recruit and retain talented employees who believe in making a difference in the lives of others through innovative health research.

READY TO JOIN OUR RESEARCH TEAM?

If you feel that you would be right for this job, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application. We look forward to meeting you!

PAVIR is a nonprofit foundation affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). As a condition of employment, all PAVIR employees are required to have an approved appointment with VAPAHCS and complete a background check before they can commence work.

PAVIR is pleased to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Individuals with a Disability are encouraged to apply. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact jobs@pavir.org - Human Resources department.