Job Details: Research Officer, Immunization Programs

Company: Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) – Province-wide solutions. Better health.

Description: Research Officer, Immunization Programs, BC Centre for Disease Control

Summary of Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Manager of Immunization Programs, the Research Officer (RO) works to assist internal immunization team members and external stakeholders to access the knowledge required to support high quality program planning decisions. The key role will be in information and data collection and synthesis to support evidence based management and planning of the BC Immunization Program. The Research Officer will focus on applied research and quality assessment and will review relevant literature, field data, and best practices within and without BC and translate it clearly and understandably for the intended target audience/user group. Priorities will be set by the Immunization Program Team and may shift quickly, be time-limited, and be of an urgent nature.

Scope and Complexity:
This person has a coordination role within the Immunization Program to support immunization research within the BCCDC. They link with immunization researchers within the BCCDC, the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), the Vaccine Evaluation Centre, and the Universities and promote communication between the groups.

Communications:
The RO participates in regular updates with the Manager, Immunization Programs to discuss progress and issues that may affect the feasibility of meeting objectives. This position works closely with a variety of staff in Immunization Guidelines, Education and Promotion; Surveillance and Epidemiology; Program, Budget and Policy Analysis; Biologicals Management and Vaccine Supply; Immunization Registry, as well as Communications.

External communication will include health authorities, counterparts in other provincial/territorial health jurisdictions, and the Ministry of Health.

Duties/Accountabilities:
1. Investigates existing program evaluations and research findings to support existing and proposed programs, with a focus on priority areas including cold chain, immunization errors, mixed immunization delivery models, and funding the RHAs.
2. Prepares background, evidence-informed documents for presentation to the Ministry, CD Policy, BC Immunization Subcommittee, Immunization working groups and other relevant and interested parties including local, provincial, and national partners.
3. Works with the Immunization team to develop appropriate research questions, initiate research funding proposals, design research projects, analyze results, and publish the findings.
4. Promotes the dissemination of research results to immunization providers in a meaningful way to facilitate knowledge translation and to inform development of best practice guidelines.
5. Conducts literature reviews as required by the Immunization team.
6. Keeps abreast of the current immunization evidence base by scanning published literature and communicates it to the Immunization Team succinctly.
7. Maintains a published literature library using appropriate software such as Reference Manager.
8. Reviews existing policies, systems, and practices in light of current evidence.
9. Participates in the Immunization Program Team meetings and Epidemiology Unit Research Team Meetings.
10. Maintains a list of research questions and priorities based on the BC Immunization Program team's needs.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
-A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Masters degree in Health Information Sciences, Nursing, Community Health, Statistics or related field plus a minimum of two (2) years experience in a health related research role.
-Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing and possess excellent proofreading skills. Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and make succinct recommendations. Familiarity with research methodologies and relevant databases of published literature. Strong planning and project management skills; skill in managing several projects simultaneously. Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate team work, interdisciplinary coordination and communication. Ability to self-manage and work both independently and as part of a team. Demonstrated aptitude for details and accuracy. Strong analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills involving the use of data and information. Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment including various word processing and spreadsheet software. Skill in conducting critical literature searches using on-line resources. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position. Knowledge/understanding of the principals of immunization and the components of a quality immunization program.


We invite you to apply by clicking on 'Apply to Job'. For more information on all that the PHSA has to offer, please visit our website.

The PHSA is committed to employment equity and hires on the basis of merit. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.

Posting Date: Jul 11 08