Manager, Research Approvals

The Manager, Research Approvals plays a pivotal role in overseeing Fraser Health's administrative and institutional approval processes for research. This position supports researchers in obtaining operational approvals and manages relationships between the Department of Evaluation & Research Services (DERS) and various programs and departments across the Health Authority.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating with internal and external research teams, the research ethics office, finance, privacy, CAADSI, laboratory services, pharmacy, medical imaging, surgical suites, and patient care areas.
• Developing integrated access pathways and operational approval navigation support in collaboration with SFU Medical School research leadership.
• Providing administrative services for medical students, residents, and faculty conducting research within Fraser Health.

Education, Training & Experience

• Master's degree in a health-related field or related discipline.
• Strong background in clinical research support/conduct and project management.
• Minimum five (5) years of recent, related experience in a health care environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Strong understanding of research ethics, privacy, and operational processes in health care settings.

Why Fraser Health?

• Opportunity to shape research processes and support innovation in health care.
• Collaborative work environment with leading professionals and academic partners.
• Comprehensive benefits and professional development opportunities.

Apply Today
If you are passionate about advancing health research and fostering collaboration, we invite you to apply for this exciting leadership role.

Supporting the Vision, Values, Purpose and Commitments of Fraser Health including service delivery that is centered around patients/clients/residents and families:

The Manager, Research Approvals oversees the Fraser Health administrative and institutional approval processes for research, supports researchers in obtaining the necessary operational approvals, and manages the relationship between the Department of Evaluation & Research Services (DERS) and various programs and departments providing services for research in the Health Authority. This includes liaising with internal and external research teams, the research ethics office, finance, privacy department, CAADSI, laboratory services, pharmacy services, medical imaging, surgical suites and patient care areas within Fraser Health. The Manager will work closely with the SFU Medical School research leadership to develop integrated access pathways, operational approval navigation support, and administrative services for medical students, residents, and faculty conducting research in Fraser Health.

The Manager, Research Approvals is also responsible for reporting, managing the ROMEO platform and/or sourcing other suitable platforms for research operational approval, developing and maintaining appropriate policies related to operational approvals, and liaising with other Health Authority counterparts on provincial initiatives.

1. Leads the institutional approval process on behalf of the Director, DERS, including managing the release of Letters of Authorization to Conduct Research within Fraser Health.
2. Works with Director, DERS, the SFU Medical School Research Director, and the SFU-FH Health Research Institute to develop partnerships and streamlined pathways for medical students, residents and faculty conducting Research in Fraser Health.
3. Works with Director, DERS, the SFU Medical School Research Director, and the SFU-FH Health Research Institute to optimize reporting capacity and metrics for cross-institutional research.
4. Works with Director, DERS, to develop streamlined pathways for research related to Fraser Health strategic and system priorities.
5. Manages the ROMEO Researcher Portal and Research Administration system on behalf of DERS, including designing and updating all submission forms, workflows, and templates as required, and managing user access, including provision of technical support.
6. Conducts evaluation of ROMEO functionality and other system alternatives to best suit current and future needs.
7. Leads the Fraser Health response to provincial and national initiatives, including the MOH RAPP, to harmonize and streamline operational approvals requirements.
8. Supports the Director, DERS, to develop key performance indicators, metrics and reporting for research activity in Fraser Health.
9. Supervises and mentors staff responsible for administration and approval activities such as research finance, research contracts, grant facilitation, privacy as well as additional research administration coordinators.
10. Develops processes, guidances, policies, and best practice documents for operational and service requests for research.
11. Coordinates between the REB, Contracts Office, Privacy Office, and other department service providers for research to ensure an efficient and supported research administrative and approvals process.
12. Supports programs and patient care areas within Fraser Health to develop efficient reporting requirements and processes for operational approval, including supporting the development of site-based SOPs, guidelines, and process maps as needed.
13. Conducts workshops and presentations on the operational approvals process for the FH research community as required.
14. Works with provincial, national, and other external interest holders to improve efficiency of the operational approvals process at Fraser Health.
15. Develops and implements new work methods and procedures; identifies problems, develops alternate solutions and implements corrective action, as directed.
16. Perform other duties as assigned to support research activities within DERS.

Education, Training & Experience

Master's degree in a health-related field or related discipline with a strong background in clinical research support/conduct and project management skills working with multi-disciplinary research teams, plus five (5) years recent, related experience working in a health care environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Competencies

Demonstrates the leadership practices of the Fraser Health Leadership Framework of Clear, Caring and Courageous and creates the conditions for people to succeed.

Professional/Technical Capabilities:

• Skilled in leading responsively in an environment of change and redefinition.
• Knowledge of the delivery of care in a public health care system, government processes and health authority structures and responsibilities.
• Ability to work with all office and research administrative software, manipulate large data sets, and generate reports and materials that communicate findings to various audiences in an effective written, visual, and spoken manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain rapport with internal and external partners.
• Demonstrated project management, strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage and lead a diverse team of professionals.
• Knowledge of research methodology and process.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in health care.