Research Assistant - Population Health

University of Kansas Medical Center; Kansas City (KS); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Medical Center seeks a dedicated Research Assistant for its Population Health department. This part-time role focuses on supporting the UKanQuit in Cancer Care program, providing essential health education and patient counseling to individuals in cancer treatment. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a human services field and a commitment to improving health outcomes for patients.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement program with employer contribution

Qualifications

• One year of experience in public health or health education.
• Experience with electronic medical records is preferred.
• Ability to train and collaborate with others.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement policies for tobacco treatment services.
• Conduct counseling and manage patient documentation.
• Facilitate communication within interdisciplinary medical teams.

Skills

Communication

Counseling

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Electronic health records

Job description

Department:

SOM Department of Population Health

Population Health Research

Position Title:

Research Assistant - Population Health

Job Family Group:

Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:

Position in health education and quality improvement using evidence-based smoking cessation treatment practice for people who smoke who are in treatment for cancer. Provide health education and data collection for the University of Kansas Cancer Center tobacco treatment program (“UKanQuit in Cancer Care”). The position reports to the Clinical and Medical Directors of the program. This is a clinical position and will require all work hours to be performed on site in Kansas City at the University of Kansas Medical Center Endowment Building or the Bloch Pavilion of the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

This is a part-time limited-term position at 20 hours a week ending on 6/5/2026.

Job Description:

• Help develop and implement new and revised policies and procedures affecting tobacco treatment services.
• Identify tobacco users receiving care at the University of Kansas Cancer Center Bloch Pavilion via the electronic medical record and navigator intake assessments.
• Conduct in-person and telephone-based counseling to patients and administer assessment of services provided.
• Help train AmeriCorps members to provide tobacco counseling and health education.
• Provide training and support to AmeriCorps members with respect to counseling protocols and completion of tasks assigned.
• Document treatment encounters in electronic medical record.
• Ensure the service maintains accurate, HIPPA compliant and confidential medical records.
• Communicate with patients’ interdisciplinary medical teams (physicians, nursing staff, pharmacists, etc.) regarding smoking cessation medication and treatment plan.
• Assure all information is collected and entered into the service database.
• Contribute to preparation of annual reports and respond to reporting requirements and procedures.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Participate in training to become a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist or NCTTP (National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice) within the first year of employment and maintain CEU requirements for certification.
  
  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human services field (psychology, counseling, social work, nursing, etc.) or other health education related field.
  
  

Work Experience:

• One (1) year of professional, full-time experience in public health, health education or counseling, or another social service field.
• Experience using the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with electronic health records, Epic preferred.
  
  

Certification:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified as a tobacco treatment specialist. Have CTTS (Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist) or NCTTP (National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice)
  
  

Work Experience:

• Three years' experience in counseling and staff management.
  
  

Skills:

• Experience in quality improvement.
• Excellent organizational, written communication, and oral communication skills.
  
  

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
  
  

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Part time

Rate Type:

Hourly

Compensation Statement:

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.

Pay Range:

$22.66 - $32.85

Minimum

$22.66

Midpoint

$27.75

Maximum

$32.85