At the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, the Biostatistician will provide critical data analysis support for the members of At the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, the Biostatistician will provide critical data analysis support for the members of an emerging Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) research program at the HMNCC during an exciting time of institutional growth and development.

The Biostatistician will play a leadership role in all aspects of data analyses, including obtaining data, data QA/QC procedures, data protection, data management and the design and execution of analytic/statistical plans for all ongoing scientific projects in the CPC program, including but not limited to:  Abstract submissions, poster and podium presentations, manuscripts/publications, and grant submissions (particularly power calculations), and statistical summaries or data reports, as needed.

The Biostatistician will also work closely with the Data Scientist in the support of a growing data infrastructure that will include Texas and national cancer registry data (i.e., TCR and SEER); U.S. Census data; CDC data (e.g., NHIS, PLACES, BRFSS), social determinants of health datasets (e.g., ADI, SVI), and environmental datasets (e.g., EPA, EJI).  This data infrastructure or “exposome” will be the backbone of a project pipeline for early career investigators, trainees/mentees interested in cancer population sciences, particularly with interest in disparities research for medical underserved and vulnerable populations. 

Experience in multivariable modeling techniques, including regression and survival analysis is required.

Familiarity with statistical software such as SAS, R, or a similar program is also essential.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and models a professional demeanor and positive tone when communicating. Oral communication, whether over the phone or face-to-face is clear, understandable and handled with courtesy, accuracy, professionally and with respect for diversity and confidentiality.

• Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Participates in and assists in problem definition and resolution activities. Contributes to improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides assistance in the preparation of technical reports, abstracts, posters, and manuscripts for submission to corporate and federal sponsors, conferences, and scientific journals.

• Develops and manages computerized databases in support of various educational applications for Medical Education and Research and for the design of various research studies. Develops and maintains systems for the coding, editing, and computer entry of data for assigned research studies.

• Works directly with faculty, corporate officials and Research Administration or Technology Development personnel throughout this process to expedite agreement execution.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Designs and maintains management reports on the databases for various research studies. Adapts, implements and maintains acquired database software most appropriate for the needs of various research studies. Provides expertise and assistance in addressing all types of grant company/center problems involving personnel, patient care costs and all other types of accounts.

• Responsible for analyzing functional area requirements, formulating recommendations and creating operations procedures for a specific department, division or institutional process.

• Performs statistical consultation and analysis of biomedical research and clinical data for in house and publication in medical journals.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interprets results, generates reports, identifies trends, and recommends courses of action to management. Composes clear and concise summaries, written/oral presentations, and data analysis using PowerPoint, Excel, graphs, etc., in order to present recommendations to leadership/sponsors.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and activities. Follows up on action items to ensure completion of assignments.

• Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Master's degree in business, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, economics or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years work in Biostatistics and a medical Informatics setting

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Expertise in statistical software packages, Microsoft Office, Grant Applications

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.