Job Description

Company : IWK Health

Req ID: 174748
Department/Program: Associated Research, Research Services
Location: Halifax

Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) for 1 year x 1 position(s)
Start Date: February 2024
Union Status: Research, Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $34.9243 - $43.223 /hour
Closing Date: February 16, 2024 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across . People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other\xe2\x80\x99s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our , and enjoy access to enhanced and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi\xe2\x80\x99kma\xe2\x80\x99ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi\xe2\x80\x99kmaq people. Working in Mi\xe2\x80\x99kma\xe2\x80\x99ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

The IWK is part of Genome Canada\xe2\x80\x99s All For One initiative, a pan-Canadian network of cutting-edge clinical genomics centres that share knowledge and best practices to speed up medical diagnoses and improve patient care equitably across British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and now the Atlantic provinces. The IWK aims to deliver genomics-based paediatric precision health services to young children with rare diseases in Atlantic Canada.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, we are seeking a dynamic Clinical Research Associate to join our team. The Research Associate will be responsible for the implementation of new technologies and software related to developing clinical exome analysis and a clinical data sharing management platform. The RA will provide technical support in pre-analytic work, including development and validation. The RA will also assist with data analysis, analytics and management, research ethics submissions, policy/guidelines compilation (relevant to the performed activities), and manuscript preparation for the Genome Canada Genomic Applications Partnership Program study \xe2\x80\x9cImplementation of Exomes in a Prenatal and Pediatric Setting\xe2\x80\x9d. If time permits, the RA will also work with Lab Medical and Scientific staff developing additional technology for clinical implementation, and assist with additional research projects.

The position requires exemplary interpersonal, communication, coordination and organizational skills, knowledge and experience in genetics research techniques and tools for interpreting genetic variation, technical experience with cloud-based analytics platforms, familiarity with programmatic languages (e.g. python), proven team/collaborative skills, and excellent problem-solving abilities. The successful applicant must be able to manage, complete, and document multiple tasks simultaneously and meet time-sensitive critical deadlines. The applicant must be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in a cooperative manner. The ability to liaise with other health care professionals and to communicate effectively verbally and in writing is essential. Sound knowledge and proficiency in computer applications is also required.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

The Clinical Research Associate will:

• Work under the supervision of various Clinical Genomics Laboratory Medical and Scientific staff.
• Work collaboratively with other laboratory staff members, and research and industry partners
• Work with the laboratory-based Genetic counsellor with relation to assistance with patient enrollment and obtaining consent.
• Keep excellent records of data and documentation of work according to accreditation standards.
• Maintain up-to-date records of project progress, number of patients recruited and enrolled.
• Assist with data analysis.
• Assist with data abstraction with complete medication profile, current medical conditions, laboratory data and other relevant information documented.
• Participate in regular meetings related to various aspects of exome validation and other relevant research activities.
• Prepare required study reports.
• Have user knowledge of ROMEO Portal
• Have certification in TCPS2 Module Course (Research Ethics)
• Assist with preparation of publications, research grants, ethics and biosafety submissions.

Hours of Work

Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours week

Your Qualifications

• A university degree in Medical Sciences, or advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in biomedical research.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with a variety of genetic based technologies is required.
• Working knowledge of computer software for genomics analysis and databases required.
• Experience with coding using languages including Python required.
• Previous experience working within a hospital setting is an asset.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing
• Confidence and interpersonal communication skill set necessary to establish new working relationships with various clinicians and teams.
• Ability to liaise and network with other health professionals within other provincial health jurisdictions.
• Superior organizational, problem solving and critical thinking and attention to detail skills, precision and dependability is an asset.
• Confident to assume independent work and to actively seek support when required.
• Organize and manage workload with accuracy.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Management/Non Union bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials. Additionally, as per Nova Scotia\xe2\x80\x99s COVID-19 Vaccine mandate, any offer of employment will be conditional upon submitting proof of full vaccination status. Medical exceptions or any other kind of requested exception based upon the Health Centre\xe2\x80\x99s obligations pursuant to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Code will be considered on a case-by-case basis

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.

IWK Health Centre