DESCRIPTION

The UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

The implementation of evidence-based practice into real-world human service settings is an important priority for improving the quality of services and outcomes for individuals and families. Identifying the factors that facilitate successful service implementation and the attainment of desired outcomes requires investigation into the characteristics of and inter-relationships between service delivery strategies, service recipients, service providers, and the organizations and systems within which they are embedded.

The Child & Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC) labs investigate what it takes to effectively disseminate, implement, and sustain evidence-based practices (EBPs) in policy, systems, and community-based settings. Multiple ongoing research studies utilize quantitative and qualitative methods to develop detailed service assessments and improvement recommendations for substance use treatment, mental health care, and social service sectors. Our studies aim to identify and support the diverse factors that improve EBP implementation and sustainment, including organizational culture, organizational climate, and leadership. Study participants include policymakers, payors, program executives, supervisors, direct service providers, and their clients.

Under supervision of the Principal Investigator, the incumbent will function as an Organizational Field Researcher 2 for the Child & Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC) in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego and will support day-to-day operations of multiple research studies. The incumbent will perform research tasks across multiple National Institute on Drug Abuse funded research studies. Projects investigate the roles of policy and politics in achieving equitable access to substance use treatment and harm reduction services. Projects also investigate how diverse policy decision-makers (e.g., state health agency staff, Medicaid staff, and health insurance payers) use research and other information sources to inform their decisions about access to/coverage of substance use-related services. Projects employ dissemination and implementation science approaches aimed at increasing evidence-informed policy decisions and access to substance use-related services for safety-net populations (e.g., Medicaid-insured, uninsured).

The incumbent will work with the Principal Investigator to coordinate, track, and monitor the progress of research activities, including study recruitment, tracking participation over time, and maintaining records of research activities to ensure that projects are executed successfully and completed within time frames to meet research objectives. Core responsibilities include: 1) assisting with the development and monitoring compliance of study protocols; 2) participant recruitment and tracking (e.g., advising participants about study participation, maintaining contact with and tracking research participants in internal trackers/logs, providing input for procedures to achieve recruitment goals); 3) preparing and administering survey instruments in Qualtrics; 4) conducting background research and literature reviews (including reviewing state/federal policy documents); 5) tracking, downloading, and cleaning data using web-based survey programs; 6) conducting basic quantitative analyses (e.g. descriptive statistics) of survey data; 7) conducting thematic analyses of qualitative data; 8) taking meeting notes; 9) transcribing/cleaning audio recorded interviews and meeting notes; 10) preparing presentation materials (e.g., PowerPoint slides, reports, policy briefs); 11) preparing IRB documentation; 12) frequently checking data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with research protocols; and 13) after completing internal training, participate in primary data collection activities (e.g., qualitative interviews, policy document review, survey administration). Other duties will be assigned as needed and to support professional growth.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Six years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus two years of related experience/training.

• Proficient research and analytical skills. Demonstrated experience in psychology research with human subjects.

• Demonstrates ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with remote research partners. Proven ability to communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues and community stakeholders including agency executives, program managers, and service providers.

• Demonstrates ability to work with a team, and to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

• Demonstrates attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated communication skills with project team members.

• Working knowledge of research discipline, principles, concepts, analysis and / or operations being conducted at field / remote sites.

• Demonstrates ability to work in ambiguous conditions.

• Working knowledge of local customs and operations at field / remote sites.

• Working knowledge of safety, legal, cultural and regulatory requirements relative to field research responsibility.

• Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based practices in substance use treatment and/or social service sectors.

• Demonstrated ability to use tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality in related to project stakeholders, including research participants, community partners, and system leaders.

• Proven proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.

• Proven ability to learn study procedures and execute required tasks.

• Demonstrated experience utilizing an electronic bibliographic database such as Endnote (or comparable program).

• Demonstrated experience using Qualtrics or similar web-based data collection platform.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain survey data and perform basic descriptive analyses using SPSS software.

• Proven ability to use bibliographic Endnote software to prepare reference sections of manuscripts, presentations, grant proposals, and IRB proposals

• Demonstrated ability to maintain qualitative data and perform basic thematic analyses using NVivo software.

• Proven ability to use NVivo to support qualitative data analyses.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, and evenings as needed.

• Annual TB test, flu vaccination and background check required to be in accordance with Rady Children’s Hospital health requirements.