Research Project Coordinator

Department: MED-Ctr Hlth Svcs Outcomes Res

Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Job Summary:

This position will serve as a Project Coordinator of the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) focused on obstetric and neonatal quality improvement initiatives as assigned to support participating Illinois birthing hospitals in setting up systems and facilitating culture change to improve outcomes for women and newborns. ILPQC is a nationally recognized perinatal quality collaborative with around 84 participating hospitals. ILPQC facilitates state-wide quality improvement initiatives to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in birthing hospitals across the state by providing opportunities for collaborative learning, rapid response data, and hospital team QI support. Current projects include active implementation of Perinatal Mental Health, Care of the Late Preterm Infant; development of Maternal Cardiac Conditions, Transfers of Care, and Mental Health in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; sustaining Equity and Safe Sleep for Infants, Promoting Vaginal Birth, and Birth Equity. The position will work collaboratively with the ILPQC Executive Director / Obstetric Lead, Project Director / Quality Lead, Neonatal Leads, ILPQC staff and interns, clinical leads, advisory workgroups, patients and community members, and hospital quality improvement teams (providers, nurses, staff) on the development, implementation, and sustainability of initiatives. Responsibilities of this position fall into the following main areas: (1) project coordination of monthly online and twice annual in-person collaborative learning opportunities including event planning and related communications including website management; (2) data collection, management, analysis and reporting; (3) quality improvement support including regular individual calls, small group meetings, regional meetings, and other formats as identified; (4) financial coordination including monitoring budgets, submitting expenses, processing invoices and related tasks; (5) assist with grant writing, monitoring grant timelines, and producing grant reports to funding organizations as well as abstracts and papers for publication. Regular (1 - a few times per month) travel to hospital and stakeholder locations throughout Illinois and occasional national travel for collaborative meetings and occasional night and weekend hours are required.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Leads execution & control of a biomedical &/or social science project or research study.
• Coordinates processing & analysis of data, conduct of experimental tests & procedures
• Develops new &/or revised research methodologies.
• Ensures completion of study activities per protocol including recruitment.

Administration

• Oversees & manages collection, maintenance, analysis & evaluation of data that will be used in grant submissions, presentations & publications.
• Ensures that information is entered correctly into databases.
• Assists PI in reviewing, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, formatting, editing, & preparing tables, charts, graphs, progress & final reports, etc.
• Coordinates between sponsoring agencies, collaborating organizations &/or other research &/or educational institutions.
• Ensures that all study documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols are completed in a timely manner.

Finance

• Manages lab/study budget & inventory including purchasing of supplies & services ensuring that they are necessary, reasonable & project related.
• Orders & maintains inventory of study supplies.
• Distributes intra-departmental charges.
• Negotiates with vendors, obtain quotes & arrange for demos of large equipment.

Supervision

• Trains, directs, assigns duties to & supervises research staff, students, residents &/or fellows.
• Acts as a mentor in regard to education of junior coordinators.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree in a major such as public health, nursing, social work, social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years research study or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a masters or higher degree in a major such as public health, nursing, social work, social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 1 year research study or other relevant experience.
• Supervisory or project management experience required.
• Must complete NUs IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, in-person and via phone/web
• Exceptional organizational skills, time management efficiency, and personal accountability
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data management and reporting

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Master's degree preferred
• Experience working in the area of maternal or infant health
• Experience or exposure with quality improvement or hospital-based projects

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Exposure to tools and software including SAS/STATA, REDCap, MailChimp, Adobe InDesign, Word Press/website management, WebEx and Blue Jeans
• Experience with data analysis
• Experience working with financial reporting systems

Target hiring range for this position will be between $51,350 - 66,380 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

#LI-JP1