BC Centre on Substance Use
Temporary Full Time Project Medical Writer
The BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) is a provincially networked organization with a mandate to develop, help implement, and evaluate evidence-based approaches to substance use and addiction. BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) seeks to improve the integration of best practices and care across the continuum of substance use through the collaborative development of evidence-based policies, guidelines, and standards. With the support of the Province of BC, BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) aims to transform substance use policies and care by translating research into education and care guidance, thereby serving all British Columbians.
Summary:
We have recently posted a temporary full time Medical Writer position to help support BCCSU. In this role you will have an opportunity to develop clinical care guidelines to address critical public health issues such as the opioid crisis. Other documentation that you will have the opportunity to create include: briefing notes, reports and resources for clinicians, policymakers, and the public to use. In order to be successful in this position you should have a passion for scientific writing, editing, project management and research. If you have experience in working collaboratively in a team, exposure to working in a research, healthcare or harm reduction environment, and are able to think critically and creatively in order to solve a problem, we want to hear from you. If you get excited about scientific writing, have experience with grant writing, authoring reviews or reports, and/or working as a science writer we want to hear from you! This is your chance to make a difference on a provincial and national level.
Working under the direction of the Director, Clinical Activities and Development, the Medical Writer reports to the Senior Medical Writer and performs a variety of duties related to coordinating, writing and editing major clinical care guidance and education projects. The Medical Writer works with and acts as a resource to interdisciplinary project teams, committees, working groups, including internal and external stakeholders at all levels. The Medical Writer navigates complex healthcare and social contexts with diplomacy and achieves project goals and deliverables through effective facilitation, communication and consensus building techniques
Responsibilities:
- Leads research, writing and editing process on a variety of clinical and health research-related writing projects, including, but not limited to: clinical care guidelines, clinical practice tools, clinical education courses, education and training materials, evidence reviews, policy briefs, grant proposals, stewardship and progress reports, briefing notes, project summaries, presentations, website copy, and press materials. Projects and project teams may be local, provincial, national or international in scope.
- Develops project plans, tracks project progress, and monitors and reports to the project lead and/or team on status and major issues/obstacles encountered in execution of clinical care guidance and education writing projects. Makes recommendations regarding any changes to project scope, rationale for change, seeks approval and/or consensus from the project team and proceeds as needed.
- Conducts literature reviews, identifies relevant research findings, and assesses quality of research findings using established methodologies. Interprets and summarizes research findings clearly and accurately, and in a format tailored for the intended audience.
- Executes clinical care guidance and education writing projects according to established methodologies, ensures successful and coordinated completion of projects, and ensures readiness of final product for dissemination and/or implementation.
- With support from the Director, Clinical Activities and Development, the Senior Medical Writer, and/or project lead(s), assumes a high degree of responsibility for ensuring that final products are of high quality, accurate, and compliant with local, provincial and national standards of practice, professional codes of conduct, and relevant legislation (e.g., the Health Professions Act).
- Acts as a key resource and content expert to project lead(s), the project team, internal and eternal stakeholders, and the organization at large throughout lifespan of major clinical care guidance and education writing projects.
- Navigates complex healthcare and social contexts and conflicting perspectives that may exist or emerge when working with interdisciplinary committees/working groups with professionalism and diplomacy.
- Aids project lead(s) and project team in collaborative decision-making through effective and respectful communication, facilitation, consensus building techniques and development of decision-making aids or tools. Establishes positive working relationships with all members of the project team in order to ensure successful outcomes and cooperation.
- Manages several writing projects simultaneously, each involving a distinct scope of work and project teams. Balances competing priorities and shifts tasks as needed to ensure the timely and accurate completion of all writing projects. Provides work direction to students and other designated staff as required.
- Provides grant writing and facilitation support as needed. Duties may include development, assembly and submission of large-scale grant funding proposals and related documents (e.g., letters, budgets, reference lists, appendices, curricula vitae) according to specific institutional guidelines.
- Provides advanced editing and writing support to the organization as needed.
- Performs other related duties as required
Skills:
- Ability to interpret and communicate clinical terminology, research data and statistical language.
- High level of computer literacy, including proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and reference management software (e.g., EndNote). Experience with Adobe Creative Suite an asset.
- Excellent stakeholder relation skills, including diplomacy, tact, and the ability to navigate conflicting views and perspectives
- Excellent organizational skills and record keeping
- Self-directed with strong writing, analytical, and research skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment, and effectively manage urgent and long-term deadlines.
- Ability to work and learn independently with minimal supervision required, as well as collaborate well as part of a larger team.
- Familiarity with concepts related to addiction medicine, public health research and the social determinants of health is an asset.
- An understanding of the ways in which laws and policies have contributed to the marginalization of people who use drugs, or a willingness to learn.
Education:
- Master’s Degree in Health Sciences, Public Health or Science with a minimum of two (2) years’ of relevant experience working in an academic research setting (e.g., medical writer, grant facilitator, research coordinator or project manager) or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Consideration will be given to candidates with degrees/diplomas in other disciplines who have significant proven experience in scientific and grant writing.
- Additional relevant training or certification an asset (e.g., formal training in grant writing, editing, or technical writing certification; membership in a professional writing society).
- Experience conducting academic literature reviews using a variety of databases (e.g., PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, etc.) and summarizing findings in narrative format (e.g., manuscripts, reports, guidance documents, continuing medical education materials, etc.).
- Experience with scientific writing, communications, and publishing, preferably in a medical or health-related context.
- Past work in a health-related academic/research/education setting with specific experience in clinical research or education is an asset.
- Knowledge and experience in grant facilitation and writing, editing, assembling and submitting grant proposals to CIHR and NIDA/NIH is an asset.
- Project management experience and/or training is an asset..
Should you meet the above qualifications and if you are interested in being part of a team that cares please click here or contact srajabali@providencehealth.bc.ca . When applying please ensure to submit a resume and cover letter
Applications will be accepted until position is filled