At Houston Methodist, the Bioinformatician position is responsible for managing all aspects of data analysis, data storage and bioinformatics support. This position specifically performs bioinformatics and statistical analysis for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) experiments as well as develops pipelines, application tools for laboratory scientists, and administrating local and remote servers.

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

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

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads or coordinates discussions on a reoccurring or ad hoc schedule involving bioinformatics issues, update and projects with physicians, staff and vendors.

• Communicates effectively and demonstrates necessary application upgrades and needed improvements for medical director NGS result interpretation.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs bioinformatics analysis NGS assays.

• Trains staff to perform clinical NGS assay bioinformatics analysis workflows prior to medical director result interpretation.

• Maintains hardware, servers, software and databases used in the lab.

• In coordination with the medical directors, testing personnel and vendors, troubleshoots bioinformatics pipelines, application or hardware related issues as they arise.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains compliance with guidelines set by regulatory bodies.

• Prepares bioinformatics analysis protocols to be implemented into the clinical testing workflow and clinical NGS report templates for the medical directors.

• Validates and performs audits of scheduled bioinformatics quality assurance tasks, including but not limited to new versions of publicly annotated databases, COSMIC, server backup and failover testing.

• Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory, following all policies and procedures for safety, security and emergency preparedness.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accountable for the proper use of equipment and supplies.

• Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and validates new and current bioinformatics pipelines, Gui application tools, application upgrades and server hardware.

• Provides statistical support to health science research projects.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

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 of Science degree with a major in bioinformatics, computer science, biostatistics or mathematics
  

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One year of work experience in bioinformatics analysis

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

• Skill in planning and organizing the work area

• Ability to analyze and solve problems

• Demonstrates self-motivation in performing job duties and following procedures

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

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

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 No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.