| POSITION TITLE |
Postdoctoral Fellow |
| DEPARTMENT |
LTRI, Sinai Health (Science of Care) |
| EMPLOYMENT TYPE |
Temporary, Full-Time (24 month duration) |
| HOURS OF WORK |
37.5 hours per week |
| EMPLOYEE GROUP |
Non-Union |
| REPORTS TO |
Principal Investigator |
FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW:
A two-year postdoctoral fellowship position is available for an individual who has completed their PhD within the past 5 years, and wants to advance a research program focused on community reintegration and people with complex care needs. Transitioning from hospital to home is understood to be a time of increased vulnerability especially for the frail elderly, recent immigrants, and individuals with complex chronic conditions. Fragmentation during care transitions can lead to medication errors, readmissions, decreased patient satisfaction, further morbidity and even mortality. These issues can be exacerbated in smaller communities, where resources and services may be lacking, transportation limitations may exist, providers may be limited or wait times may be increased. Despite efforts to develop health system solutions transitions remain the most dangerous element of all care pathways.
Increasing complex patient populations, new reimbursement models, pressures to reduce costs while improving care quality and patient experience have driven policy makers to seek innovative solutions. However, the role and contributions of a key community partner – Voluntary Sector Organizations (non-government, charitable, third sector) - in improving patient experience and system efficiency are still often unaccounted for or under-recognized. This two-year fellowship will focus on integrated care – specifically questions related to intersectoral partnerships with the Voluntary Sector to address issues of community reintegration post rehabilitation.
ORGANIZATION AND DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
The Science of Care Institute (SCI) is located on the beautiful Hennick Bridgepoint campus of the Sinai Health System. The SCI is a leader in the study of improving the care and the entire life experience of patients living with complex chronic health conditions. True to our name, the SCI works as an inter-disciplinary team of researchers, clinician scientists, trainees, and staff, working together to produce high quality research to drive health system transformation.
The SCI is a health services research arm in the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, a University of Toronto affiliated research centre, and one of the world's leading centres in biomedical and health systems research. The Institute is committed to excellence in health research and the training of young investigators. Strong partnerships with the clinical programs in our hospitals and with our health system partners ensure that scientific knowledge is used to promote human health and health system improvement.
PROJECT AND POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Post-doctoral fellow will work under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Michelle Nelson. In addition to pursuing an independent line of inquiry within the broad research program, the fellow will collaborate on research conducted by Dr. Nelson within the Voluncaring Research Program and specifically the Discharge Assistance and Supports at Home (DASH) study, in partnership with collaborating community organizations. This will require the fellow to work with a diverse group of co-investigators, research coordinators, assistants and graduate students to ensure projects’ activities and milestones are met. Opportunities to attend appropriate training, conferences and symposia, as well as work with internationally-recognized researchers will be available to the candidate.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Contribute to the CIHR funded DASH study within a domain most relevant to the PDF (trial, implementation study, economic analysis). It is anticipated that the PDF will lead components of the work, with mentorship and supervision provided by the expert research team.
- Identify additional areas of inquiry within the broader program of funded research to drive additional analyses that address new and novel sub-questions
- Organizing and collecting data (working groups, interviews, surveys, observations) – coordinate a team of research staff and graduate students to support these activities
- Develop and conduct an independent study related to community reintegration and the voluntary sector.
- Apply for research funding to support ongoing postdoctoral fellowship (CIHR, Mitacs etc)
- Help establish communication and study processes to maximize the skills and talents of the team
- Lead publications and report writing as well as support other knowledge translation activities (eg, symposia, newsletters, website content)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- PhD degree in a related field (within past 5 years)
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- Subject matter expertise in one or more domains of relevance to the DASH study
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in an innovative and collaborative team environment.
- High personal motivation, self-management, and detail-orientation; ability to take responsibility in meeting deadlines.
- High degree of comfort with change, and the ability to be agile and adaptable as projects evolve
- Strong relational skills and be able to exert influence and work across sectors (hospitals, primary care and community)
- Ability to work independently and without direct supervision, problem solve technical and methodological issues that arise during the course of the research.
- Knowledge and experience in the use of computer software applications, including Microsoft Office programs. Experience with research software including EndNote and NVivo an asset.
- High level interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Must be able to exhibit a high level of professionalism, judgement, ethical conduct, discretion and diplomacy
In accordance with Institute’s policy and legislated health and safety requirements, employment is conditional upon the verification of credentials, completion of a health review, and demonstrating proof of immunity and vaccination status of vaccine-preventable diseases. All employees and affiliates will follow safe work practices and comply with health and safety policies, procedures, and training. Successful candidates will be required to provide three (3) written reference letters from their former employer(s)/supervisor(s).
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our people and patients, Sinai Health has made it a priority to support everyone in getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Consistent with this, our Staff Immunization & Surveillance Policy was recently updated to include the requirement for full vaccination – currently defined as receiving two doses and serving a 14-day waiting period following the second dose – in order to be able to work at Sinai Health. To be compliant with our updated Policy, you must provide proof of dual COVID-19 vaccination, as indicated on the Prospective Immunization and Surveillance Policy Information Sheet, in order to be eligible for employment at Sinai Health. If you believe you are one of the very few people who may require an exemption from vaccination, supporting medical information must be submitted to our Occupational Health department, who will review and assess.
We are a fully committed to fairness and equity in employment and our recruitment and selection practices. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, members of racialized groups, women and any others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Sinai Health community. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under our Access for People with Disabilities policy. Applicants need to make their requirements known in advance.
The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute is a scent sensitive environment, and all members of the community are expected to refrain from wearing or using scented products while visiting or working at the Institute. We also support a barrier-free workplace supported by the Institute’s accessibility plan, accommodation and disability management policies and procedures. Should you require accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, including accessible job postings, please contact the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Human Resources Department.
| We thank all candidates for applying. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. |
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