Research Assistant, Digital Emergency Medicine

Job Summary

The Research Assistant will work as part of the Digital Emergency Medicine research team in the Department of Emergency Medicine to support digital health projects focused on three broad areas: technology-enabled innovations in health practice and education contexts, multi-channel community engagement to support health education and patient centered care, and digital health innovation and collaborative partnerships. The incumbent will work on various digital health projects involving both quantitative and qualitative methods and will be involved in evaluating the efficacy of digital health interventions. This research portfolio includes projects that relate to initiatives involving learning technologies, program evaluation, and community-based health research. The incumbent will also be asked to assist in the development of funding proposals for the Office.

Organizational Status

The vision of the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is to be a provincially integrated Department committed to clinical, academic, and health care delivery leadership, founded in the creation and exchange of knowledge to improve emergency care. Our faculty members across the province have an impressive record of research and discovery related to prevention of emergencies, improving clinical care, and system improvements. Our Royal College residency training program, distributed across four program sites, is the largest in the country providing high-quality emergency training. The Department of Emergency Medicine has also played a leadership role in the development and implementation of the BC Emergency Medicine Network which integrates and translates knowledge and experiences to support emergency practitioners across the province.

The Digital Emergency Medicine research program, led by Dr. Kendall Ho, conducts research on the use of digital technologies to improve healthcare delivery and raising digital health literacy. Digital Emergency Medicine carries out research, community engagement, and educational activities to explore how modern information and communication technologies (e.g. mobile and web-based applications, etc.) can improve health care.

This positions report to the Manager, Program Administration & Technology and takes direction from Research Analysts and Project Coordinators as well as senior management on a project basis or as designated. The incumbent interacts with research team members, faculty, project managers, and other personnel associated with specific projects. The incumbent may interact with community organizations, health professionals, clinical groups, patients and community members, government representatives, and other stakeholder groups.

Work Performed

• Assists in planning research project activities including organizing and documenting meetings, and communicating with diverse project partners.
• Conducts literature searches, as well as reviews and assists with the synthesis of literature.
• Assists with data collection by co-facilitating focus groups, conducting interviews and administering surveys
• Assists in data preparation, collection, entry, and analysis
• Supports the preparation of reports, publications, and presentations.
• Assists in the development of funding proposal by investigating applicable funding opportunities, searching and compiling submission criteria, completing funding application forms and documents, drafting components of letters of intent, and drafting full proposals.
• Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The direction of the research initiatives will be discussed at regular meetings with research team members. Regular reporting will also be required to stakeholder groups as defined by each specific component of the research projects. This position requires working effectively within an organizational structure as well as some degree of self-direction. The Research Assistant will be required to show judgment and decision making which has the potential to impact the reputation of Digital Emergency Medicine's product viability, and the opportunity for future research development. The exercise of poor judgment and lack of consultation with supervisors could adversely affect the viability and validity of research projects or programs. Continued adverse effects to the Office's research projects could negatively affect the ability of Digital Emergency Medicine to obtain funding for future research projects.

Supervision Received

Works under general supervision in carrying out familiar phases of duties and responsibilities; receives instructions during orientation and on subsequent new assignments or changes in procedures.

Supervision Given

May distribute work assignments to students and subordinates and provide training to new employees.

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree in an area of social science, health science, communication, or public health with research experience preferred.

Experience: Knowledge and understanding of basic social science research methods. Experiences with BC health professional organizations, Indigenous health, community development, cross-cultural projects, and liaising and engaging with external organizations are assets. Preference will be given to candidates with some grant writing experience and experience working in a not-for-profit environment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Ability to effectively use computer software, such as MS Office, data analysis software, familiarity with online literature search tools.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to show initiative and judgment.
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.