Duties: The Penn Center for Community Health Workers (the Center) is a national center of excellence for Community Health Worker (CHW) research, application and dissemination. The Center's mission is to improve health in high risk populations through the effective use of Community Health Workers (CHWs). The Center developed IMPaCT, an innovative, evidence-based health care delivery model for improving health outcomes among socioeconomically vulnerable, high-risk patients. In the IMPaCT model, Community Health Workers (CHWs) provide structured advocacy, social support and navigation to high risk patients in order to help them reach their health goals. CHWs are trained laypeople who share life circumstances (race, socioeconomic status, language, etc.) with their patients. They are 'natural helpers' within the community.


IMPaCT has served more than 7,000 people in Philadelphia and has been shown to improve patients' post-hospital primary care access, chronic disease control, and mental health while reducing hospital admissions by 30percent. More than 1,000 organizations have accessed our CHW toolkit, and we provide technical assistance to help organizations around the country create, launch, and sustain effective CHW programs. Our Center is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.


Data is crucial to the IMPaCT model. We use a variety of data sources to identify high-risk patients in real-time, to ensure that IMPaCT is effective in improving patient outcomes, and to understand how IMPaCT is working and how it may be improved. We are looking for a meticulous, intellectually-curious and driven individual to serve as an IMPaCT Research Assistant. The Research Assistant will report to a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) and assist the CRC in the provision of strategic support for multiple Community Health Worker (CHW) care teams embedded within both inpatient and outpatient settings.


The Research Assistant (RA) will aid the Clinical Research Coordinator and the Principal Investigator in the development and execution of data driven quality improvement (QI) initiatives within the Penn Center for CHWs. The principal role of the RA will be to provide general research and administrative support for the IMPaCT Transitions, Home, and Primary Care programs. Administrative duties will include reviewing UPHS electronic medical records on a daily basis to identify and enroll patients who meet the eligibility criteria to receive the IMPaCT intervention as part of their routine care. Research duties will also include screening and enrolling study participants, maintaining telephone follow-up with study participants, data collection, survey administration, medical chart abstractions, data entry/cleaning, as well as assisting with preparation and submission of regulatory documents to the Penn IRB and other entities. Additional tasks may include assisting with grant-writing based on pilot results, conducting literature reviews and assisting with the preparation of scholarly manuscripts and presentations. The RA will be expected to perform other duties as reasonably assigned.

Qualifications: A High School Diploma or GED and 3 years to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. BA/BS preferred.
* Experience with clinical research: data collection, analysis, and study implementation
* Strong verbal and written skills and ability to interact with a diverse population of clinicians, administrative staff, and program participants
* Excellent organizational skills, very detail-oriented
* Ability to work independently and solve problems effectively
* Effective communication and writing skills
* Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel


Preferred Skills and Experience:
* Familiarity with medical terminology and experience gained in a clinical environment preferred
* Working knowledge of Penn Medicine Systems (EPIC, MedView, REDCap)

Reference Number: 40-30906

Salary Grade: 024

Employment Type: Non-Exempt

Org: DM-General Internal Medicine

Special Requirements:

Job Family: 6-Technical Scientific/Statistical