VA PHASER: Pharmacogenomic Testing for Veterans -

Remote Site Coordinator Description

The Institute for Medical Research, an affiliate of the Durham VA Healthcare System is looking for a highly motivated, self-directed Site Coordinator for the PHASER educational program.  This position is 100% remote work, based out of the Durham VA Healthcare System with the selected candidate assigned to support PHASER Program implementation and operations at one or more assigned VA health care facilities across the United States. Occasional travel to Durham will be required (perhaps 1x weekly) for mailing patient results. Additionally, quarterly travel to Durham may be required. Additional travel to assigned sites may be required up to 3 days quarterly.

Occupational Summary

            Remotely coordinate, under the supervision of a PHASER National Deployment and Operations Team Leader and in liaison with the assigned local PHASER Site Champions, the day-to-day patient and provider engagement activities of VA PHASER: Pharmacogenomic Testing for Veterans educational program at one or more assigned VA Medical Center and associated facilities.  PHASER is a mutli-year initiative that aims to implement pharmacogenetic testing to up to 250,000 patients across the national VA health care system. The overall goal of PHASER is to improve the efficacy and to reduce the toxicity of commonly prescribed medications through the use of pharmacogenetic testing by incorporating results into the electronic health record and utilizing clinical decision support to guide interpretation and use of test results. For more information on PHASER visit  https://www.cancer.va.gov/phaser.asp

           Using the essential duties outlined below this individual will remotely coordinate local PHASER program implementation followed by establishing sustainable day-to-day educational activities and operations at one or more VA Health Care Systems which will include: 

Job Duties

Education and outreach:

• Identify, contact, and educate patients about the availability, rationale, and procedures related to pharmacogenomic testing through the PHASER program
• Document patients’ preference regarding testing in the electronic health record
• Alert providers to educational resources available to interpret patients’ pharmacogenomic test results
• Coordinate with laboratory, IT, clinical, administrative, and front-line staff to ensure that educational materials, resources, and tools are deployed and maintained
• Support the PHASER National Program team in evaluating processes to identify issues related to patient and provider identification, engagement, education, uptake and implement innovative solutions to maximize these aspects
• Educate providers and staff about the basic operational elements of pharmacogenomic testing available through PHASER
• Referring individuals, as appropriate and when necessary, to subject matter experts including the patient’s healthcare provider
• Track milestones and timelines for the rollout of local PHASER implementation and educational activities
• Report to PHASER National Program Office monthly regarding site status
• Manage the distribution of educational materials, standard operating protocols, and consent documents to the local PHASER site
• Assist Site Champions in liaising with the national PHASER Program Office
• Assist Site Champions in establishing and conducting the business of a local PHASER Steering Committee

General responsibilities

• Serve as a remote resource to clinical, laboratory, informatics staff at the assigned VA facility (or facilities as necessary) in identifying and accessing the appropriate complement of resources, collaborators and support needed to achieve their goals, identify potential obstacles, and collaboratively solve emerging problems.
• Identify problems, issues, obstacles, barriers, and lessons learned across the educational program and make recommendations to local PHASER Site Champions, Steering Committees, and National Program Office regarding solutions and process/system improvements.
• Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
• Prepare status reports and track desired metrics for inclusion in periodic progress reports.
• Anticipates and addresses simple operational problems.
• Coordinate and participate in operational meetings with site champions
• Coordinate educational activities with individual or groups of providers and pharmacists as directed by local Site Champions
• Attend and contribute to regular and ad hoc Site Coordinator and National Team meetings, as necessary

Required Experience, Education, And Skills

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, health care or allied field preferred
• At least two years of experience health care or allied field

Skills:

• High degree of comfort with and ability to thrive and work independently under remote work conditions
• Demonstrated ability to initiate outreach and ask for help when needs are revealed
• Remotely establish access to and relationship with an established network of support staff and key individuals including leadership
• Strong attention to detail
• Patient, provider, and staff education
• Project implementation and coordination
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft Office suite and video conferencing software as well as database utilization
• Demonstrated reliability and follow-through are a must
• Prepared and responsive, willing to meet each challenge directly
• Desire to be proactive and create a positive experience for others
• Professional, polite, and attentive
• Comfortable with pivoting quickly in project plans when necessary
• Demonstrate discretion and trustworthiness as patient privacy and information security are of the utmost importance
• Ability to build strong working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• NOTE: You will be required to provide your own appropriate, distraction-free workspace as well as reliable telecommunications and high-speed internet connection. You will be provided a secure, encrypted government furnished laptop for use during your employment.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements and activities that are required to perform the essential functions of the position include, but may not be limited to, as follows:

1. Must be able to occasionally lift, pull and push a minimum of 10 lbs.
2. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
3. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
4. Must be able to squat, kneel, and stoop.
5. Must be able to regularly use fingers, hands for computer work.
6. Must be able to travel quarterly to Durham, NC.

Closing Statement:  This position description for the Site Coordinator is not an all-inclusive description of job duties.  Other job duties and responsibilities may also be assigned by the supervisor at any time based on needs. 

Expected start date: This full-time, remote work position based in Durham NC is open immediately.  The initial term is 12-months and may be extended depending on the needs of the program and performance. Employees must reside in North Carolina.

Salary:  $60,000 - $70,000 per year, commensurate with experience level.

Employee Benefits: IMR offers a competitive benefits package which includes health insurance, a matching 403b retirement savings plan, and paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Please visit www.imr.org for information about employee benefits.

All IMR employees are required to obtain a Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS).  As a result, the successful candidate must undergo a federal background check and may be subject to a drug test. Participation in the vaccination programs may be required for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointments. We will not sponsor applicants for work visas.          

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and Veterans.

Click here to apply to this position and others directly on the Institute for Medical Research Careers Page!