WESTERN CANADA WAITING LIST PROJECT
PROJECT DIRECTOR

A partnership of 19 organizations (regional health authorities, medical
associations, health ministries, and research centres) has received $2.2
million from the Health Transition Fund (HTF), Health Canada, to complete a
project to develop organizational and information tools to improve the
management of waiting lists in Canada.  The project will take place in the 4
western provinces.  Project components include developing management tools
based on clinical and related criteria for identifying appropriate
interventions and prioritizing the patients who are likely to benefit from
access to those interventions; piloting the instruments and tools;
developing implementation strategies; identifying the need for information
systems essential to supporting management of waiting lists; and integrating
findings into a common template for waiting list management and
prioritization.

Reporting to the project steering committee, the project director will be an
experienced and visionary research manager combining leadership, analytical,
and administrative abilities.  The ability to recruit and lead high quality
research staff, interact with and guide clinical experts, and ensure that
the various project components move together in an integrated fashion
consistent with overall project goals is essential.  

Among desired qualifications is some combination of a background in applied
research; health ministry management or policy development; clinical
services with a strong research emphasis; or health-related social sciences.
Academic qualifications would include a minimum of a Master's degree or
equivalent with significant applied research experience.  Prior research
management experience will be a particular asset.  The ideal candidate would
have both clinical and methodological qualifications and degrees.

Location is optional-ideally but not necessarily at the University of
Alberta (site of the administrative home for the project), with which the
director will have to establish close working relationships.

This is a senior position for which the salary will be negotiable based on
training and experience in similar capacities.

Those interested in secondments or similar arrangements may be particularly
suited to this opportunity.  The term will be a minimum of 18 and a maximum
of 24 months, beginning as soon as possible but we hope no later than
January 1, 1999.  The position is envisioned as full-time but some
flexibility is possible to accommodate the ideal candidate.

The specific job duties will include:
1. 	Participating in refinement of the project vision and goals in
conjunction with the steering committee.
2. 	Recruiting and supervising the research support staff for clinical
panels, evaluation, and other components as required.
3. 	Working closely with the financial administrator to prepare and
adhere to budgets, and ensure transactions flow smoothly.
4. 	Participating in the recruitment of the 5 clinical expert panels.
5. 	Ensuring that the expert panels develop common approaches to their
work, and identifying points at which they need to be brought together to
increase the cohesion of the effort.
6. 	Developing an overall plan for and negotiating site participation in
the testing of systems, provision of data, etc. including timing,
logistical, and financial arrangements.
7. 	Recruiting the clinical coordinator who will oversee the
site-specific pilot and testing components.
8. 	If necessary, selecting consultants for specific components such as
surveys, instrument development,  and focus groups.
9. 	Recruiting academic investigators who may wish to participate in
various elements of the work and orienting them to the project's goals and
methods.
10. 	Overseeing the production of technical reports, public communiques,
and other communications emanating from the project.
11. 	Pursuing opportunities for academic publishing of the results (if
the director so desires).
12. 	Liaising with the HTF secretariat and preparing interim reports as
required by the terms of the agreement.

Candidates should send a CV and statement of interest and experience in the
area BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1998 to:

Dr. Tom Noseworthy, Chair
Department of Public Health Sciences 
Faculty of Medicine and Oral Health Sciences
University of Alberta
13-103 Clinical Sciences Building
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, T6G 2G3 
Phone:    (403) 492-6408 
Fax:     (403) 492-0364 
Email: [log in to unmask]



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