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Biostatistician - Centre for Lymphoid Cancer

Application Deadline

Role Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient and employee safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Clinical and Research Directors of the Centre for Lymphoid Cancer, BC Cancer Agency, the Biostatistician provides support in the areas of study design, analysis, and consulting for biological and clinical cancer research. This role oversees survival analysis and statistical modeling of clinico-biologic factors associated with patient outcomes and maintains information collected in the provincial clinical lymphoma database. The Biostatistician also provides the monitoring of lymphoid cancer interventions and lymphoid cancer health service performance indicators for use in the planning, implementation and evaluation of lymphoid cancer care in the province. The Biostatistician is responsible for tracking trends and detecting emerging issues and associations between a wide range of lymphoid cancer risk factors, health determinants, and health outcomes. The Biostatistician manages the preparation of annual, quarterly, period, and ad hoc reports and is responsible for ensuring high quality and accuracy of these reports. The Biostatistician is responsible for providing statistical support and maintains the integrity of the data to a renowned lymphoma cancer research group which consists of Clinicians, Researchers, Biologists, and Bioinformaticians on lymphoma cancer research and related projects.

Key Accountabilities

  • Develops novel statistical models to discover untapped potential in  clinical data, biological phenomena, and novel associations of clinic-biologic factors with patient outcomes.
  • Monitors and assesses existing provincial clinical database of lymphoma patients to provide accurate and timely information. Provides regular reports and presentation of statistical analyses and results to the group
  • Provides support for the development and collaboration of experimental design of research projects to ensure statistical rigor. Evaluates existing and emerging data analysis tools, provides recommendations regarding new tool adoption and performs risk/impact analyses in support of the planning of system development, enhancement and maintenance.
  • Performs quantitative data analyses using advanced statistical methodologies and statistical software.
  • Identifies and provides advice about data limitations and ensures adequate data quality for analytic purposes.
  • Links data sources from the provincial clinical lymphoma database with other major health information systems such as the Ministry of Health (Vital Statistics, hospital discharge database, Pharmanet, Medical Services Plan). Maintains relationships with senior managers in these organizations; takes measures to protect all data and information being used to comply with protection of confidentiality and privacy policies.
  • Develops and produces analytical outputs (e.g. reports, presentations, posters) that support the Centre for Lymphoid Cancer Agency and BCCRC Committees in the monitoring, planning and evaluation of population trends, health services utilization, and health outcomes for lymphoid cancer interventions, including health care system quality trends and variations.
  • Develops and produces reports that monitor and benchmark cost, utilization, quality and other performance indicators and communicates findings to the BCCRC and PHSA Executives, PHSA Board, Ministry of Health and external stakeholders at the local, regional, provincial and national levels. Formulates recommendations based on findings, including strategic interventions, program and costing recommendations. Represents the Centre for Lymphoid Cancer in various meetings as a speaker or contributor.
  • Plans, develops and delivers training programs, initiatives and materials related to lymphoid cancer research and data analyses in collaboration with BCCRC staff and other organizations throughout the province.
  • Identifies learning needs that contribute to skill enhancement and career progression for self and fosters a working environment that stimulates learning and inquiry for self and others. Takes responsibility for keeping self-up-to-date regarding new initiatives, developments and trends in statistical analysis, renal utilization and health services issues through literature review, contact with peers at other organizations, professional associations and attendance at conferences, seminars, workshop and education programs. Communicates information and makes recommendations to the Clinical & Research Directors for evaluation and approval.

Qualifications

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, Epidemiology, Health Information Science, or Computer Science and five (5) years of experience in a health analytics, health research or health information field. Understanding of molecular biology and cancer genomics is an asset.

Advanced knowledge of frequentist statistics, probability distributions, statistical inference and modeling, particularly Bayesian statistics and machine learning. Knowledge of database management principles. Exceptional knowledge of survival analysis, including cox regression, Kaplan-Meier estimation, statistical language R and experience using ‘Rmarkdown’ or an alternative statistical language. Experience in database graphical, presentation, communication and software applications, such as Linux, MS Access and SQL. Strong analytical, problem-solving and system analysis skills including the ability to comprehend complex issues and related data/information and present information in concise meaningful ways. Ability to develop complex and customized queries and reports. Ability to function in a self-directed manner. Excellent ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated interpersonal skills with a variety of people. Excellent time management skills. Demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of stakeholders supported by an acute awareness of the impact of actions. Ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks. Physical ability to perform the duties of the job.

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