Research Programs Manager

Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehab

Role Summary:

This is a full-time position in the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The Research Programs Manager will oversee the clinical research portfolio within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery with an emphasis on large, longitudinal NIH, DoD, and PCORI-funded clinical research studies focused on identifying risk factors for poor outcomes following musculoskeletal injury and comparing interventions to improve patient-centered outcomes. The Research Programs Manager will be responsible for all aspects of study implementation, including hiring staff; conducting performance evaluations, managing and allocating staff responsibilities; developing and refining policies and standard operating procedures; tracking study progress and milestones; overseeing all internal and external regulatory paperwork; trouble-shooting any issues that arise; and serving as a liaison between study investigators and all stakeholders associated with the project. Additional opportunities available include assisting faculty, residents, and fellows with grant and manuscript preparation including basic data analytics.

Departmental Summary:

The Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute is the result of an intellectual environment that fosters inquiry, initiative, and collaboration within a culture of hard work and friendly interactions. It is a fun place to work and at the end of each day all of us can say - we made a difference in at least one person's life.

We continue to grow by adding clinicians and scientists to further our pursuit of basic, translational and clinical research. The ability to procure more grant funding is facilitating greater investigative and thematic discovery in research. Our educational objectives remain an unwavering component of our academic mission. As we grow nationally in reputation, we strive to maintain commitment to our community by engaging high school students and Nashvillians in educational and charity projects. We are proud to be part of the Vanderbilt community, proud of our accomplishments and plans for the future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages the components of a clinical research program(s).

• Communicates and models values and mission of VU/VUMC.

• Establishes, supports, and promotes ownership of team/departmental goals.

• Works as a team player to accomplish common departmental goals. Willingly accepts responsibility and performs expected and unexpected tasks. Willingly exerts extra effort when necessary to get the job done.

• Exhibits strong leadership skills. Applies key concepts of facilitative leadership. Delegates tasks as appropriate and follows up to assure completion.Effectively motivates team members. Listens and understands other team member's point of view. Considers suggestions from others.

• Creates and supports a climate of trust, openness and honest communication.

• Recognizes areas of responsibility and takes charge of them. Takes ownership of problems brought to their attention. Follows through from analysis to problem resolution. Takes responsibility for mistakes and learns from them.

• Ability to accept constructive criticism. Demonstrates a positive attitude in response to suggestions for improvement.

• Assigns and reviews work; effectively prioritizes tasks and work assignments.

• Delegates tasks as appropriate and follows up to assure completion.

• Encourages appreciation and respect of diversity in workplace. Treats all team members as unique individuals with valuable resources and skills that enhance the team.

• Plans, organizes, and completes projects in an efficient manner.

• Leads team discussion to generate cost effective ideas.

• Designs, develops, and revises standards, utilizing community and national standards, research findings, and bench marking data, e.g. budgets, guidance documents, determination letters, etc.

• Define and achieve financial targets for the unit/area, consistent with the departmental financial plan

• Develop clinical study budgets and negotiate with sponsors as well as internal departments

• Report findings that occur as part of the audit process and incidental discoveries to the director/administrator for auditing, correction and/or educational purposes.

• Exercise judgment and prepare supporting or correcting documentation regarding Institutional and Federal billing policies.

• Ensure a safe, satisfying and enriching environment for employees and provides a qualified, competent staff

• Defines qualifications and performance expectations for staff positions and re-evaluates over time. Establishes objective scoring criteria to decrease bias during evaluation.

• Assesses the composition of the team and identifies potential deficiencies. Develops and communicates team goals

• providing appropriate follow-up to assure resolution.

• Creates an environment that encourages and supports self-development and learning through regular, immediate feedback. Thoroughly documents all conversations with teams to provide detail needed in future performance evaluations or counseling's.

• Assures that each staff member's ability is regularly assessed in meeting the performance expectations stated in his/her job description. Assesses accomplishment of last year's goals and creation of next year's goals based upon individual and departmental goals

• Assures the development of staff members through orientation, training programs and work experience. Strives to develop individualized professional development plan to guide staff to success, focusing on areas needing growth.

• Recommends personnel action, including hiring, promotions and terminations.

• Counsels employees with regard to disciplinary actions taken in response to violations of institution/department policies.

• Communicates in and across teams to maximize effectiveness, efficiency, and information sharing.

• Monitor quality assurance standards, programs and procedures within the unit/area

• Analyzes situations/events, develops recommendations/plans and prepares presentations/conclusions.

• Uses innovative thinking when developing alternative solutions.

• Can distinguish critical needs/problems from less urgent ones. Demonstrates ability to prioritize tasks and issues.

• Initiates and contributes to the development and/or modification of departmental policies and procedures.

• Promotes the routine use of CQI concepts among team and department to continuously improve standards, processes, and daily operations. Promote a culture of continuous improvement.

• Creates and supervises complex QA/QI audits. Conducts complex QA/QI audits.

• Utilizes PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Audit) format to document/implement CQI suggestions.

• Attends institutional CQI class and applies concepts learned.

• Actively identifies and participates in educational and developmental activities to improve knowledge and performance to sustain and enhance personal and departmental development.

• Keeps abreast of and applies regulatory guidelines and institutional/departmental policies and procedures.

• Performs continuous self-assessment.

• Applies innovative thinking when developing alternative solutions.

• Distinguishes critical needs/problems from less urgent ones.
• May present at national conferences/panels or contribute to publications.