<PROJECT LEADER/APPLICATION DEVELOPER>

Department:	ideas FOR HEALTH informatics research cluster, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology	Effective Date:	March, 2006
Grade:	USG 8	Reports to:	The JW Graham Research Chair in Health Information Systems and the Research Associate who work with the ideas FOR HEALTH informatics research cluster.

General Accountability

The Project Leader/Application Developer is accountable to the JW Graham Research Chair in Health Information Systems and the Research Associate who work with the ideas FOR HEALTH informatics research cluster. The incumbent is responsible for executing a variety of advanced application development activities for various research projects. This position includes specific responsibilities for leading the support and enhancement activities related to data management, database design, and programming using web based applications that have been developed by a research collaborative for use by hospitals across Ontario.

Nature and Scope

The Organization

The ideas FOR HEALTH informatics research cluster at the University of Waterloo is an alliance of researchers, care providers, government and non-government agencies, and solution providers interested in advancing ideas - innovations in data, evidence and application systems for the health sector.

ideas FOR HEALTH levers Waterloo's existing strengths in the health sciences and computer science by engaging in leading-edge research and education activities designed to enhance Canada's capacity and international reputation in the area of health information systems.

Our members help lead a number of major research initiatives. Through our affiliations with the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology and the School of Computer Science, we also play an active role in the delivery of Waterloo’s undergraduate and graduate programs in health informatics.

Some of our current projects include:

Deploying and managing Ontario’s online province-wide performance reporting system for the acute care, complex continuing care, rehabilitation and mental health hospital sectors.
Developing comprehensive assessment tools to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the in-patient portion of the mental health system.
Generating assessment tools to identify “at-risk” seniors requiring additional support or care.
Supporting the development of decision-support tools designed to help hospital managers and care providers promote quality improvement initiatives.
Constructing knowledge discovery tools by using “mining” techniques to unlock the wealth of information contained in the information that is routinely collected on the health of Canadians.
Developing an understanding of how information systems and information technologies are used by optometrists in the delivery of optometric care.
Investigating best practices for the presentation of health information on the Internet.
Creating an inventory of the funding, financial reporting, and performance measurement practices of health ministries and departments across Canada.

Major Challenges of the Position

This position requires a combination of research and application development skills such as:

A sophisticated knowledge and understanding of application development methodologies and processes and previous experience in programming web based applications.
A solid knowledge and understanding of systems-query language for data management and database design.
Familiarity with developing interfaces, database design, programming, and maintenance using SAS tools (Base SAS, SAS/AF, SAS/GRAPH, and SAS/ACCESS).
A solid knowledge and understanding of computer software used in website creation.
A strong knowledge and understanding of system administration, installing software, maintaining user-id and passwords, web server, and security measures.
A knowledge and understanding of the principles, concepts, methods, and standards of statistical research.
Solid written and verbal communication, as well as good decision-making, organization and time management skills.

The candidate will need

To be able to write, modify, integrate and test software code, maintain existing computer programs and make modifications as required.
To have an appreciation of web based applications to handle large data sets from disparate sources for data analysis and presentation.
To be able to use various software tools for screen design, edit checks, query generation, data entry criteria and conventions, validations, data listing, reporting, documentation and website creation.
To be able to prepare detailed reports of data modeling, cataloguing, mapping, and analysis of results of the various e-tools developed and/or supported by ideas FOR HEALTH informatics research cluster.
To be able to prepare user guide/help documentation for the various e-tools developed and/or supported by ideas FOR HEALTH informatics research cluster.
To be able to identify and communicate technical problems, processes and solutions clearly and succinctly with investigators and with ideas FOR HEALTH staff.

Statistical Data

ideas FOR HEALTH is in the midst of significant growth. Funding in 2004-2005 is anticipated to be over several million dollars, with a concomitant increase in personnel. Equally important is that the profile of our work has been increasing. We expect to expand our work with several other major provincial/territorial and national research groups.

Specific Accountabilities

Work Performed:

Prepare a variety of advanced web based applications in support of scientific research studies.
Plan and document computer data file structure, develop programs, manage and maintain complex statistical databases.
Use various computer software applications for website creation in support of scientific research projects.
Prepare a variety of statistical documentation and reports.
Prepare reports that summarize the analysis of research data, interpret findings and provide conclusions and recommendations.
Contribute to research grant applications, reports and publications.
Perform other duties associated with the major challenges of the position.

(ii) Responsibilities

Proficiency in developing interfaces, database design, programming, maintenance and data manipulation using web based tools.
Proficiency in creating and maintaining web sites using a variety of computer software.
Proficiency in reviewing and evaluating scientific data involved in performance measurement and quality improvement.
Proficiency with MS Office productivity tools (Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).
Accuracy and initiative in handling multiple priorities.
Good communication (oral & written) skills.
Good interpersonal skills.
Self motivation, independence, and congeniality.
Tact and confidentiality.