Skip to the content of the web site.

Data Manager

Department: Health Studies and Gerontology Effective Date: March 2011
Grade: USG 10 Reports to: Principal Investigator

General Accountability

The incumbent reports to the Principal Investigator and is responsible for the management and analysis of data collected and on-going research as part of a variety of research projects in collaboration with such granting agencies as the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC); Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

Nature and Scope

The Organization

The ideas for Health group in AHS (formerly known as the Resident Assessment Instrument – Health Informatics Project or RAI-HIP) currently has funding for two major research projects: “Innovations in Data, Evidence and Applications for Persons with Neurological Conditions (ideas PNC)” and “Safety at Home: a Pan-Canadian Home Care Safety Study”.  Dr. John Hirdes (Department of Health Studies & Gerontology) is the principal investigator for the ideas PNC project, and a co-investigator for the home care safety project.  They are both scheduled to start immediately and continue until March 2013 and September 2012, respectively.  There is the possibility of renewal and/or of the Principal Investigator receiving other funding which would allow research staff to retain their positions.

The research projects are both collaborative efforts with teams of researchers, clinicians, and policy makers from across Canada.  The projects will provide vital information for health policy in Canada, will train young researchers, and will substantially elevate the level of expertise among Canadian policy-makers and clinicians in the areas of care needs for persons with neurological conditions, and safety in home care.  At the project site, the staffing complement will consist of the Principal Investigator, the Data Manager, Research Associate, the Educator and Field Coordinator, the Administrative Assistant, computing support staff, graduate students and other staff.

Challenges of the Position

The position requires an ability to think critically and analytically, drawing upon a sound basis of health science education and experience. It requires an understanding of and the ability to conduct univariate and multi-variable statistical analyses of large, complex, cross-sectional and longitudinal data sets. Experience with SAS, ACCESS, and Excel is essential. The ability to manage the analyses of several large and small projects involving various combinations of investigators and staff is paramount.

In addition, the position requires an advanced level of knowledge of all interRAI assessment instruments and their applications. This includes outcome measures, quality indicators, care planning protocols and casemix systems associated with interRAI instruments.

The position also requires excellent skills in written and verbal communication, decision-making, organization, and time management. Ideally, the Data Manager will also contribute to the overall planning and coordination of ideas for Health projects, functioning as an integral part of the management and science teams.

The incumbent may also contribute by making presentations at scientific meetings and participating in writing scientific papers.

Statistical Data

The current ideas for Health project builds on the success of previous research including the Resident Assessment Instrument – Health Informatics Project,  ideas for Primary Care, ideas for Mental Health and CAN-STRIVE projects.

Specific Accountabilities

Working Conditions