AHRQ 2013 Summer Intramural Fellowship Program

Position Title: Junior Service Fellow (multiple positions)
Open Period: February 19, 2013 - March 5, 2013
Position Information: Temporary, Full Time, NTE 89 days
Salary Level: 24.74 per hour
Duty Location: Rockville, MD
Who May Apply: United States Citizens

Job Summary

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is soliciting applications for time limited Fellowship opportunities. AHRQ's mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans by examining how people get access to health care, how much care costs and what happens to patients as a result of the care they receive.

Fellowship Program Description

The AHRQ Intramural Fellowship Program provides opportunities for individuals to work with leading health services researchers in the conduct and support of research on “real life” issues which supports the Agency's mission and contributes to improvements in health care. Fellows are also afforded the opportunity to work with administrative protocols, gain access to AHRQ-sponsored data sets, and apply statistical analysis methods in an effort to broaden the Fellow's understanding of health services research and the Agency' impact on the health care system.
Junior fellows are generally involved as part of a team responsible for conducting research and performing research related activities. At this level, research studies generally have clear and specific objectives and involve investigations having a limited number of variables and self directed work in planning and carrying research activities.
Topics for research projects include:

Assisting with the development and conduct of research in support of the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports (NHQR/DR), contributing to NHQR/DR-related projects which could include State Snapshots, state-level disparities analyses, and topic-specific Fact Sheets.
Research and analysis utilizing AHRQ's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) administrative data and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data.
Research and analysis with the Effective Health Care (EHC) program.
Conducting literature reviews to identify current methods being employed by health services researchers for measuring health disparities.
Utilizing the Pediatric Quality Indicators (PQIs) to conduct analyses of pediatric quality indicators and identify disparities and other trends.
Large data set analysis on preventable hospitalizations, assisting with the preparation of data, conducting statistical analysis, reporting results in multiple formats including the development of maps suitable for web publication, and preparation of manuscripts based on the analytical work.
Research leading to the development of journal articles and statistical briefs relating to current topics in health services research such as the effect of health information technology on adverse drug events, patient safety events, and costs; disparities in quality and access to care; the effect of the economic downturn on issues such as injuries or the utilization of mental health services by homeless individuals; and the spillover effects of utilization of healthcare services by Medicare Fee-for-Service vs. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

Qualification Requirements

Successful applicants should possess an advanced degree (a Master's degree or higher level degree) with a concentration in health services research, health policy (e.g., public health, economics, sociology, biostatics, epidemiology or political science) or a health-related or research field. In addition, applicants should possess and be able to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of research, statistics, and scientific terminology and an ability to communicate information orally and in writing.
Junior fellows will have a senior level researcher assigned to him/her in order to provide guidance and direction regarding the assigned research projects as well as the principles and protocols which guide the conduct of health services research. Additionally, a curriculum will be established to ensure a successful experience with the Agency. The curriculum will include, but is not limited to:

Identification of background materials relevant for research assignments to ensure the Fellow's success.
Attendance at Agency seminars, brown bag lectures and external experiences to clarify the Agency's role in the field of health services research and the broader health care community.
Information regarding the Agency's programs, vision, and activities to fully understand AHRQ's research endeavors and goals.

This Fellowship opportunity does not convey any Federal benefits due to the temporary nature of the appointment and travel/relocation and housing expenses will not be paid.

Evaluation Method

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements described above will be further evaluated by determining the extent to which their work or related experience, education, training, etc., demonstrate he/she possesses the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities associated with the fellowship assignment.

Application Procedures

If interested, applicants should submit the following documentation:

Curriculum vitae or resume articulating relevant experience.
Unofficial transcripts documenting educational experience (official transcripts will be required if selected for this opportunity).

Application materials should be sent to: HRInfo@AHRQ.HHS.GOV.
Applications must contain all of the documentation cited above and be submitted by the closing date in order to be considered.
Questions may be referred to:
Ms. Gina Spann
gina.spann@ahrq.hhs.gov
(301) 427-1217
AHRQ provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Management at (301) 796-9400. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Additional information regarding the Agency and its activities may be obtained by visiting our Web site at www.ahrq.gov.
AHRQ IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Current as of February 2013

Internet Citation:

AHRQ 2013 Summer Intramural Fellowship Program. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/about/vacancy/summerfellows.htm