Position overview

Canberra Health Services has a strong commitment to research, learning and teaching as advances in medical, nursing, allied health and other research contribute directly to improved patient outcomes. The Office of Education, Research and Academic Partnerships provides governance and oversight of research, learning and teaching within CHS.

Reporting to the Director – Research Operations and Clinical Trials, the Research Manager will provide research support and strategic research development support to CHS Clinician Researchers and develop strong links with the Research Offices of our academic partners and at the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate.

This is a role in a dynamic, evolving environment and requires a high degree of initiative, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement skills. This role professionally and operationally reports to Director – Research Operations and Clinical Trials, whilst liaising and collaborating closely with the academic research lead positions (i.e. Academic Clinical Nursing Chairs, Professor of Allied Health, Director Clinical Trials, other medical academic leads) and the relevant research offices at the Australian National University, the University of Canberra and ACT Health and Community Services Directorate to advance CHS research outputs and impact through research navigation and research development support.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Director – Research Operations and Clinical Trials and in collaboration with team members, you will:

1. Document, analyse, assess and communicate available research supports, including those provided by academic partners’ research offices, research grant processes as well as key contacts, for active and research-interested CHS clinicians.
   • Develop and provide the research support and research development service function for the Research Operations and Clinical Trials at Canberra Health Services, considering CHS strategic priorities and available resources. This will include but not limited to:
   • Be the point of contact and communicate research navigation and research development supports and services across CHS divisions and other relevant stakeholders in collaboration with other ROCTSU Managers.
   • Provide effective support, education, and strategic advice to guide researchers regarding the development of research protocols, grant submissions, ethics and site governance applications and other regulatory approval processes.
   • Identify potential research collaborators across the different types of research relevant for the health service (e.g. clinical research, social research, data linkage).
   • Link clinician researchers to appropriate training and mentoring opportunities and contacts in relation to developing research funding proposals.
   • Support the establishment of a mentoring network with academic mentors across all disciplines and other stakeholders to effectively facilitate research development at CHS.
   • Identify external funding opportunities and provide strategic advice and supports in line with strategic priorities to advance Canberra Health Services’ research portfolio.
   • Manage the coordination of strategic research funding proposals and grant applications, and provide policy and procedural advice, with assistance from the Research Ethics and Governance, academic partner research offices and other stakeholders, as required.
2. Establish and provide organisational-wide consultation, advice, training, and support services related to REDCap for research projects. This may involve:
   • Deliver a suite of tailored education and training modules for staff on how to use REDCap for research projects.
   • Assist clinician researchers with designing and building database using REDCap for research (including longitudinal studies).
   • Database administration: assist users with data access and permissions.
   • Database management: implement access controls, backups, and recovery procedures to ensure data security, and to perform ongoing data system administration tasks, including database maintenance, documentation, and governance to support research and operational needs.
3. Assist with research KPI implementation, planning, documentation and analysis of activities across CHS, including documenting research outputs and assisting with CHS research reports.
4. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following:

• Well-developed project management, collaboration skills.
• Growth mindset and a willingness to grow with the role.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain networks across CHS and our academic and research partners.
• High level interpersonal skills and pragmatic hands-on approach to facilitate research engagement and drive positive research culture.
• Proficiency in building survey tools using research data management software.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant postgraduate tertiary qualifications.

Desirable

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Being eligible to apply for honorary academic title with an academic partner and engaged in research highly regarded.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in developing and managing research projects in a healthcare setting.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and building surveys for research using systems such as REDCap or Qualtrics.

Desirable

• Sound knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies applied in translational health research, or a closely related field.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Demonstrated high-level experience in development of research proposals, research ethics and governance, research (grant) management and/or provision of research support, preferably in health or closely related field.
2. Proven ability to develop strong engagement, strategic partnerships and collaborations in relation to health projects, preferably research related.
3. Demonstrated high-level communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders – clinician researchers, senior academics, administrators, university and industry research governance bodies, government organisations, consumer and community organisations. Strong presentation skills will be highly regarded.
4. Proven high-level organisational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to prioritise own workload and to work effectively independently and as part of a team, meeting competing deadlines and delivering high-quality outcomes.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays’ behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.