Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Researches and compiles data generated from patients and control groups by establishing a method of obtaining data necessary for various types of studies. Organizes incoming information from statewide sources so that investigators can complete analysis.

Qualifications

Three years experience in the following: research methodology, interviewing, medical terminology, statistics, behavioral science and/or health science, or equivalency required.

Bachelor's degree in a biological science, health-related field, and medical and/or epidemiological research are preferred. Demonstrated interpersonal and writing skills are preferred, as the incumbent will need to effectively communicate with a broad range of individuals.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Gathers data for various medical studies by screening possible candidates through reviewing doctors' medical records, newspapers, obituaries, church records, school records, government records or whatever pertinent information on the particular health or medical disease being studied may be found.
2. Receives permission to gather data from current patients by sending letters to physicians and their patients requesting their cooperation in helping with the study.
3. Interviews the patients and the control group participants in their homes to obtain answers to a very broad range of questions. Utilizes interviewing techniques designed to reduce the interviewee's apprehensions and generate the type of information the pre-tested questionnaire is intended to produce.
4. Edits questionnaires after the interviews have been completed by rereading each question and response to make sure that there are no errors or inconsistencies.
5. Prepares records of interviews to send to national headquarters for analysis, or codes responses from the interviews by translating the information onto code sheets that are used as input for computer analysis.
6. Assists the investigator by helping to establish the criteria that dictate which statistical comparisons should be made. The criteria depend upon the particular hypothesis the investigator wishes to find.
7. Trains interviewers to assume part of the workload so that many respondents can be contacted within the required time frame.
8. Conducts literature searches to provide a basis from which the criteria that determine the hypothesis for study may be developed.
9. Selects control group participants through the method of random sampling. Control groups are used as the basis for making comparisons with the primary participants who are the actual patients.
10. Writes or edits the code books that are used to translate the information from the questionnaires to the code sheets.
11. Participates in statistical analysis by asking for statistical results from computer programmers and identifying possible pertinent comparisons for further study.

Comments

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking. 

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.