Center for Health Optimization & Implementation Research
Investigator
Job Announcement: Health Services Research Physician Investigator, VA Center for Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR)
The Bedford VA Healthcare System in Bedford, MA seeks a dynamic, physician investigator for its Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center of Innovation (COIN) jointly based at Bedford VA and VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA. The Bedford/Boston COIN – the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) – contains an extensive portfolio of funded research projects and programs, with a total annual budget of over $13 million. The more than 45 doctorally-trained core investigators at CHOIR are highly productive academically and contribute to a large, vibrant pre- and post-doctoral training program for both MD and PhD researchers.
Potential candidates will be MD investigators with scholarly expertise in health services research and/or one or more of its many constituent fields. We seek highly qualified, diverse applicants. Competitive candidates for this position will have a record of successful, extramurally-funded research including VA, DoD, and NIH grants, a background in the conduct of health services research, and have US citizen status. Junior investigators with a strong publication record, seeking to apply for VA’s Career Development Award program will be considered. The position will be a full-time appointment, based at the Bedford campus. Candidates should hold, or be eligible for academic appointment at Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level at one of CHOIR’s affiliated Universities. Full salary and benefits package are competitive and commensurate with experience.
The mission of CHOIR is to conduct health services, organization and implementation research that promotes Veteran-centered high-quality healthcare, identifying best practices and working with operational and policy leaders within VA to implement findings to improve clinical care. CHOIR investigators have broad expertise across the research spectrum, with many areas of interest, including recovery of Veterans with social and behavioral vulnerabilities; medication use and its outcomes; health communication; implementation science; and patient centered care, and long-term care.
The Bedford VA is a 400-bed hospital specializing in mental health, long-term care, and primary care. It consistently ranks near the top of VA hospitals on a broad array of quality measures. It actively promotes the implementation of innovative clinical practices and start-up pilot funds are frequently made available from the facility and the regional network to translate promising research into practice. Innovation is also driven by the large research and educational programs. Besides the HSR&D Center, the ENRM VAMC is home to a Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center (GRECC), and a Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Center (MIRECC). Training programs include medical residencies in psychiatry, and family medicine as well as large programs in psychology and social work. HSR&D actively collaborates with these many research and educational programs.
Interested candidates should submit electronically a letter of interest and CV directly to the Search Committee, c/o ricardo.deang@va.gov. Applications will be reviewed as received and will be accepted until the position is filled. Letters of recommendation will be requested later in the process. The Bedford VA is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
Why CHOIR?
- The Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research is the largest VA HSR&D Center of Innovation in the country, located at the Bedford and Boston VAs.
- VA HSR&D is an extensive intramural research program, including investigator-initiated research, pilot studies, the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative focused on implementation research and partnered evaluation.
- With over 45 doctorally trained researchers, it boasts a diverse group of investigators including physicians, psychologists, sociologists, statisticians, epidemiologists and anthropologists.
- Collaboration across VA medical centers is extensive for many of our over 88 funded research projects, totaling over $13 million.
- Academic affiliations with University of Massachusetts Medical School and Boston University (at Bedford), and Boston University and Harvard Medical School (at Boston).
What kind of research is being conducted?
- CHOIR has a number of areas of focus, including:
- Medication Optimization Program – focusing on optimal prescribing and use of medications
- Recovery – focusing on Veterans with social and behavioral vulnerabilities
- Health Communication – focusing on studying and improving communication between Veterans and providers or the broader healthcare system. Patient-centered care and communication is highlighted
- Implementation Science
- Patient-Centered Care
What is the Bedford VA medical center?
- A 400 bed hospital specializing in mental health, long-term care, and primary care.
- Consistently ranks near the top of VA hospitals on a broad array of quality measures
- Other research centers include a Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center (GRECC), and a Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Center (MIRECC).
Where is Bedford, MA?
- Bedford VA is 20 miles northwest of Boston. It is one of several surrounding bedroom communities with excellent schools.
- Easy access to Boston to the east and more rural communities to the north and west.
- The Bedford VA campus is large, boasts wide open spaces and a golf course.
