Research Specialist

Overview

A Research Specialist is needed to help us in our endeavor to build the healthiest community in the nation … one person at a time.

The Mission: 

At SummitStone Health Partners, we strive to foster trust, empower recovery, and inspire hope to strengthen and enrich our Northern Colorado community.

We need your help to make this vision a reality.  

We are building a team who believes in providing crucial services at crucial times, helping the people in our community at their most vulnerable — particularly those who are often overlooked and underserved.

We Embrace Our Diversity 

Come As You Are: 

A core value here at SummitStone.  

We want you to be your authentic self while at work, so we welcome and actively seek team members of different backgrounds, identities and experiences. SummitStone is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, honoring each individual's whole-self by embracing differences in race, ethnicity, ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic status, language and the inherent intersections of many different identities. We invite everyone to share our journey and are proudly an equal opportunity employer. 

Experiences and Backgrounds We Look For 

If this sounds like your calling, then we want to help you succeed, grow, and thrive at SummitStone. 

• Location: Larimer County, CO
• Status: Full-time, 40/hrs. week Hybrid with ability to be in-person

What You’ll Do:

 The Quality Research Associate is responsible for supporting the continuous quality improvement framework of SummitStone. Activities central to this framework include data collection, cleaning, and management; analysis of quantitative and qualitative data; and translation of findings into accessible language through report preparation, data visualization, and other dissemination activities. Further, this position will be expected to support our system in the development of cross project evaluation skills with a particular focus on data management, quantitative data analysis and data visualization strategies.

This position will play a key role in the SummitStone’s aim of implementing the highest quality data, program, and system evaluation and improvement program and establishing our expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analytics. This team player will support several system-wide strategic initiatives, including achieving Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) status, as a SAMHSA driven program aimed at transforming community behavioral health systems, and evaluation of our newest 64-bed acute care facility and its impact on critical public health systems like emergency departments and jails.

Duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Uses knowledge of behavioral and/or physical healthcare literature and data, established treatment guidelines and best practices to support development of  key metrics and measurement standards for departments and programs across the organization. Support the translation of these findings to practice improvement recommendations using clear language accessible to diverse audiences.
• Conduct research and analyze trends in processes that impact organizational needs and develop recommendations for improvement. Utilize content expertise to make novel and/or impactful interpretations and conclusions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on measuring key metrics to drive decision-making and support organizational growth initiatives. Visually convey data-based findings to internal and external audiences.
• Apply quantitative research methods and inferential statistics to measure and analyze behavioral health indicators and outcomes.
• Proficient in SPSS, R, Python, or related software and other statistical analysis/visualization tools.
• Proficiency with data reporting systems such as Power Bi.
• Collaborate with Information Systems department and other stakeholders to inform development of robust data dashboards and other information delivery tools. 
• Participates in the development and presentation of results to key stakeholders, funders, and other audiences.
• Contributes to reports, publications, conference presentations, and other dissemination opportunities as a co-author or co-presenter requiring excellent writing skills and quality presentation abilities.
• Aides in the design of new procedures/processes to meet departmental needs for measuring and maintaining quality in the operations of all areas.
• Support the CQI and program leadership in conducting continuous reviews of quality measures and identifying opportunities for clinical, medical, or operational improvements.
• Obtain training in Epic data analytics (including Slicer/Dicer) and reporting modules as directed by the Director of Quality. 
• Adhere to all privacy and security of information governed by SummitStone policy as well as State and Federal regulation.
• Knowledge of diversity and inclusion with the relevant ability to engage, communicate, interact, and work effectively and cooperatively with people of different backgrounds, identities, and culturally diverse communities.
• Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned as appropriate and directed with the person’s level of knowledge and experience.

Required:

• Master’s degree in public health, social work, behavioral science, research methods and statistics or a related field required.
• 3+ years of quantitative research and analytics experience including data management and data visualization required.

Preferred:

• Formal training related to monitoring, evaluation, or analysis of public health data preferred.
• Prior data analytics work in the Epic electronic health record preferred.
• Experience working with substance abuse and mental health treatment providers, recovery community and/or harm reduction organizations preferred.
• Experience working within state or federal behavioral health administration systems preferred.
• Experience working with grant funding in government, non-profit, or university settings preferred.
• Bilingual/bi-cultural preferred.

Start With Yes

At SummitStone, we show up not only for our clients, but for our staff as well. You will be joining a team of committed professionals who believe in the power of starting with “yes” — where an unparalleled level of teamwork and support can solve any challenge. 

We believe that people can and do recover, but we also know that they can’t always do it on their own. That’s where you come in. If you have any or all of these qualities, we want you to consider us for your next career move: 

• You believe in being a voice for behavioral health in Northern Colorado
• You embrace equity for your clients, teammates, and partners
• Collaboration and creativity are crucial to helping you solve problems
• You show up as your genuine self to help guide others through their toughest times
• Through continuous curiosity, exploration, and reflection, you’re eager to adapt and learn

Total Rewards 

The typical hiring range for this position is $63,731 - $76,482 annually hour, based on relevant years of experience.  

Benefits

We know that most people aren’t just searching for a job, they’re searching for a career. 

But more than that, they’re searching for a sense of belonging and purpose. Whether you’re at the start of your journey or you already know where you want to be, you will have access to a level of support and teamwork that is uncommon in the field of behavioral health today. 

Along with that, positions are eligible* for range of benefits including: 

Time that you deserve for a balanced life 

• Flextime Scheduling 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Ten paid holidays, including one floating holiday 
• Extended Leave Bank (ELB) 

Financial benefits 

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with an employer match 
• Cafeteria 125 Plan 
• Loan forgiveness program eligibility 
• Referral Bonus available for employee who refer new hires 
• Ongoing support for learning and development, including reimbursement and supervision   for license and certification 

Health, Medical, and Wellness 

• Medical Insurance 
• Dental & Vision Insurance 
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD) 
• Malpractice Insurance 
• Option to participate in Employee Resource Groups 

*Based on working 20+ hours per week

Reach Out 

SummitStone will provide persons with disabilities reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or selection process, please let your recruiter know. 

Questions?  Please email us at hiring@summitstonehealth.org.