Research Assistant - Healthcare Quality - Hybrid

Westat, Inc.; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation Leave (15 days per year)

Sick Leave (9 days per year)

Holiday Leave (7 holidays + 2 floating

Job summary

Westat, Inc. is seeking a Research Assistant to join a multidisciplinary team working on health services research projects focused on innovative health care delivery, policy implementation, quality monitoring, and data management.

The position is full-time with a hybrid schedule at our Bethesda headquarters, three days per week on-site. You will provide basic research and administrative support, conduct literature reviews, assist with data manipulation, and help produce reports and infographics

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, public health, or a related field required.
• At least 1 year of social science research project experience in a health-related area.
• Experience and ability to summarize or synthesize information for different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic research and administrative support on a range of projects employing varying methodologies.
• Conduct literature searches and reviews; contribute to writing case studies, reports, and profiles.
• Provide logistical or content-related support for help desks, expert panels, consumer testing, and advisory groups.
• Contribute to manipulating and modeling data, including importing and inputting data, maintaining databases, recoding variables, populating presentation templates, and reviewing data tables.
• Produce infographics and other data visualization products to effectively present data/results.
• Support data collection activities including survey administration and interviews.
• Support project management by taking notes at project meetings and assisting with client reports.
• Perform activities under supervision of senior research staff.

Skills

Data analysis (qualitative/quantitativ

Writing and communication

Independent work

Time management

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in social sciences/public health/related field

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Job Description

Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence‑based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.

Job Summary

Westat has an immediate opening for a Research Assistant to work with a multidisciplinary team on a variety of health services research projects. Our work is focused on innovative health care delivery, policy implementation, quality monitoring, consumer engagement, and data management.

This is a full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement at our corporate headquarters 3 days per week in Bethesda.

Candidates selected for a phone screening will be asked to provide an independently authored writing sample.

A cover letter is required with this application.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide basic research and administrative support on a range of projects employing varying methodologies and across health-related areas.
• Conduct literature searches and reviews; contribute to writing case studies, reports, and profiles.
• Provide logistical or content-related support for help desks, expert panels, consumer testing, and advisory groups.
• Contribute to manipulating and modeling data, including importing and inputting data, maintaining databases, recoding variables, populating presentation, report templates, and reviewing data tables.
• Produce infographics and other data visualization products to effectively present data/results.
• Support data collection activities, including survey administration, consumer testing, cognitive interviews, in-depth interviews, site visits, focus groups, coding qualitative data, and background research.
• Support project management by taking notes at project meetings, contributing to client reports, monitoring project schedules, or other tasks.
• Perform activities under supervision of senior research staff.

Basic Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in social sciences, public health, or a related field.
• At least 1 year of social science research project experience in a health-related area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience analyzing qualitative or quantitative data.
• Experience summarizing or synthesizing information for different audiences and purposes.
• Experience producing and systematically updating detailed reports and communication products.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively to coordinate completion of projects and tasks.
• Experience and skill working with MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Collaboration with teams, managers, and/or clients.
• Detail oriented.

Requirements

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
• Sick Leave (9 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and may be removed from posting after 100 applications have been received.

Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Pay Range

The anticipated salary range for this role is $50,000 to $58,000 commensurate with experience.