Senior Research Associate

Join a passionate team dedicated to improving health care services that lead to better health and equitable care - there is no quality without equity.

This position will manage and direct projects in one or more (or related) high-priority NCQA content areas : behavioral health, health equity, geriatrics, overuse, and patient experience.

Find out exactly what skills, experience, and qualifications you will need to succeed in this role before applying below.

Senior Research Associates are responsible for managing and directing intramurally or extramurally funded projects focused on measuring and improving the quality of health care that can inform quality evaluation programs.

They are responsible for balancing scientific rigor and being able to practically apply the evidence base in areas of strategic importance to NCQA, especially in the creation, expansion, maintenance of programs, measures, and evaluation products.

Key responsibilities include the development, planning, and implementation of project activities, research investigations, evaluations and assessments based on emerging scientific methods related to quality improvement and measurement science.

The Senior Research Associate balances specialized knowledge of health-related topics with project management and content responsibilities to define and solve specific problems and assure quality control across initiatives.

This position requires a high level of engagement with subject matter experts and key stakeholders and the ability to effectively communicate results of this work to a variety of internal and external audiences, including health care leaders.

We are seeking candidates passionate about translating the evidence base for broad population health impact. Knowledge of health care quality measure development, implementation, and use (including use in payment and incentive programs) is desirable.

In addition, knowledge of health care data sources, including administrative, clinical, digital and survey data, is valued.

Specific Responsibilities Include :

Manage and supervise project teams including staff, consultants, subcontractors, and collaborators. Support the growth and development of NCQA staff.

Help develop and manage project budgets and timelines.

• Responsibilities include leading and supervising project teams, research, analysis, and preparation of written and verbal communications, as well as management of various work streams related to this work.
• Develop opportunities for funding by meeting and developing relationships with potential collaborators and funding organizations.

Develop study design and methods, including specifying clear research questions and hypotheses.

• Communicate and collaborate across units to facilitate the use of research methods and findings.
• Communicate and represent NCQA’s work through external scientific engagement, including presentations, blogs, papers and peer-reviewed publications, and participation on advisory panels.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Master’s degree in relevant field, e.g., public health, health policy, health sciences.

EXPERIENCE

5 years of work experience :

• Experience developing products or strategies in behavioral health, health equity, geriatrics, overuse and patient experience.
• Experience with performance measures, quality improvement program evaluation and / or accreditation issues.
• Experience managing projects for external clients in the health care industry.

SKILLS

• Decision making, team management, public speaking, writing, ability to work under pressure, deadline oriented, flexible and able to adapt to contingent environments.
• Demonstrated experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness.

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