Research Student BWH Rheumatology

General Summary

As a member of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Medicine and Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, the research student will work to support the work of a grant-funded project to assess social determinants of health for individuals with rheumatic conditions and help connect patients with community-based resources to meet their needs.

Specific work will include:

1. Updating lists of community-based resources and the services offered

2. Writing letters to advocate for assistance for patients related to social needs (e.g., housing, utility bills)

3. Filling out forms to help patients access transportation, housing, insurance.

4. Coordinating meetings and taking minutes

5. Helping to ensure that patients are reached in a timely fashion and that they were able to access community-based resources to meet their needs

6. Working closely with the rheumatology-based community resource specialist and research coordinator.

7. Careful documentation of all outreach efforts and follow-up.

With the Principal Investigator and collaborators across Mass General Brigham and other institutions, the research student will coordinate and carry out activities related to health equity. The research student may be asked to set up meetings and design agendas, synthesize and present data, prepare and organize study-related documents, presentations, and progress reports.

Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding hospital of Mass General Brigham, is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve. At Mass General Brigham, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.

We are seeking a highly motivated, hard-working team player who connects well with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Individuals from groups historically underrepresented in medicine and research are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

This is a per-diem position, estimated at approximately 4-5 hours per week for approximately 1 year.

Principal Duties

* Assisting the rheumatology community resource specialist to help patients access community-based services to meet their social determinants of health-related needs.

* Coordinate aspects of data collection and management

* Update community resource lists for both internal use and for patients

* Writing letters to advocate for services to meet patients' social needs.

* Assist in writing manuscripts for peer reviewed publications, grant proposals, and publications

* Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with an interdisciplinary, diverse team

Qualifications

* High school diploma is required; transcript may be requested

* Excellent writing skills; writing sample may be requested

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

* Superior organizational skills

* Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and health equity initiatives, with a track record of work in this area

Skills, Abilities, Competencies Required

* Must be dedicated to advancing health equity and community engagement

* Keyboard/typing skills for data entry.

* Must have interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, researchers and clinicians, and community organizations

* Must be able to prioritize and organize work responsibilities to meet deadlines.

* Must possess integrity to maintain confidentiality.

* Must be detail-oriented and demonstrate accuracy in recording data.

* Must be able to make decisions under close supervision, take initiative but ask for help when needed.

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.