The Public Health Research Associate is responsible for assisting with the management and coordination of research activities focused on coordinating recruitment and interviews among individuals who have used substances, have been released from TX prisons, and have been placed on parole; as well as facilitating client sessions to promote access to medical care and increase HIV medication adherence for individuals being released from TX corrections. The Public Health Research Associate will also assume responsibilities for daily project activities assigned by the Project Coordinator/Director, including but not limited to, supervising and training field staff, implementing an intervention, recruiting study participants, collecting data, performing basic data analysis, and participating in report and manuscript preparation.
Duties & Essential Job Functions
- Supports program and research implementation by assisting with the maintenance of a management information system for ongoing research projects; expediting and coordinating data collection; assisting with basic research tasks.
- Provides Motivational Interviewing counseling and results oriented coaching for individuals to promote HIV medication adherence and access to health care following release from prison.
- Coordinates a team of field research assistants in efforts to recruit and interview clients prior to and following release from prison; and to ensure that study participant target numbers and documentation are met with efficiency and accuracy.
- Assists with training and data collection materials and research reports by preparing technical reports, providing editing of reports and graphical design of materials, and coding of qualitative survey data.
- Provides office support by maintaining files; assisting in grant proposal preparation; assisting in field management and in data collection.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Education & Experience
- Master's degree in criminal justice, health education, communication, health behavior, psychology, or other health services research fields and 2 years' experience in health behavior or health services research during which he/she provided counseling services and/or assisted in the management of at least one research project.
- OR
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, health education, communication, health behavior, psychology, or other health services research friends and 4 years' experience in health behavior or health services research during which he/she provided counseling services and/or assisted in the management of at least one research project.
Preferred Education & Experience
- Working with criminal justice populations
- Working in a healthcare system
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of research techniques.
- Knowledge of basic statistical principles.
- Knowledge of current technical environment.
- Knowledge of customer service techniques.
- Skill in some or all components of Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and Access.
- Skill in statistical packages such as SAS and SPSS.
- Skill in Microsoft Windows navigation.
- Skill in qualitative research practices, including use of Atlas.ti or NVivo software.
- Skill in conducting interviews with staff and clients.
- Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing.
- Ability to compose technical reports incorporating statistical material.
- Ability to review and make recommendations to improve and streamline processes.
- Ability to organize complex tasks.
- Ability to supervise and support a team.
