Associate Implementation Scientist

Denver Health and Hospital Authority•Denver, CO

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Implementation Scientist will play a key role in advancing high-quality care by leading and supporting pragmatic implementation science, quality improvement (QI), and applied health services research across the healthcare system. This individual will design, evaluate, and disseminate implementation strategies that support rapid uptake of evidence-based practices, strengthen learning health system capabilities, and advance organizational quality and safety priorities. Working collaboratively with partners across the Denver Health healthcare system and with university, academic, and community partners, the Implementation Scientist will collaborate with system leaders, clinicians, informaticists, patients, families, and community members to produce novel insights and evidence that can be rapidly implemented to improve health and service system outcomes. This individual will contribute to research focused on the systematic implementation of innovations and outcome monitoring of these interventions, consistent with Denver Health's strategic plan. They will also work closely with key partners to identify, prioritize, and conduct rapid-cycle improvement efforts in priority areas related to improving healthcare quality and safety.

Requirements

Doctorate Degree or relevant experience in implementation science and/or learning health systems required.
4-6 years relevant experience in quality, safety, improvement science in healthcare required.
Demonstrated experience conducting observational, quasi-experimental, and pragmatic experimental research within complex healthcare systems.
Experience with qualitative and mixed methods research approaches.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise reports and presentations about data and complex issues and the ability to communicate with government officials and clients.
Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
Knows and applies best practices to include input from patients, families, providers, and other team members.

Responsibilities

Use participatory research approaches and meaningfully engage with diverse, multi-level partners to identify and prioritize questions that address the needs of clinicians, patients, families, and community members.
Use theory, conceptual models, and frameworks from the field of implementation science (or related fields) to plan, design, execute, evaluate, and refine learning health system research.
Provide expertise in using observational, quasi-experimental, and experimental study designs to conduct research in a manner that is minimally disruptive to the functioning of a complex health system.
Provide subject-matter expertise and lead or direct implementation science initiatives across the healthcare system aligned with organizational quality and strategic priorities.
Partner with clinician scientists, clinical teams, and operational leaders to co-design, mentor, and share knowledge in implementation science, pragmatic research, and quality improvement.
Implement capacity building efforts and mentor colleagues to train the next cadre of learning health system/implementation scientists focusing on systems science, dissemination and implementation, and rapid cycle improvement.
Design implementation and improvement efforts grounded in evidence-based practices, clinical workflows, and operational realities, working closely with clinical and operational teams to ensure feasibility and relevance.
Apply established implementation science theories, frameworks, and conceptual models to guide the planning, execution, evaluation, and refinement of initiatives.
Apply pragmatic and methodologically rigorous approaches to support the implementation and evaluation of interventions in partnership with clinical teams, balancing scientific rigor with minimal disruption to care delivery.
Working in conjunction with informaticists and big data experts, use clinical information systems, including electronic health records and other clinical and digital information sources, to develop and execute research and quality improvement projects to inform patient care.
Utilize mixed methods approaches and meaningfully engage key stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, families, and community members, to incorporate diverse perspectives, using community-engaged and participatory research methods and rapid-cycle improvement approaches.
Develop and support sustainable plans to integrate findings into routine practice, including mechanisms for ongoing evaluation, refinement, and spread.
Disseminate findings broadly through internal channels and external venues, including presentations and products tailored for healthcare leaders, clinical and operational partners, community stakeholders, and other relevant audiences.
Lead and support scholarly dissemination, including the development of peer-reviewed publications and other academic products.
Collaborate with clinical quality leaders in the development of an integrated quality program and key metrics dashboard.
Work with key partners to develop and advance the learning health system program, including the governance structure and strategic mission and vision.
Apply learning health system principles to foster shared learning, engagement, and community across teams, supporting continuous feedback, adaptation, and knowledge dissemination.
Support the identification and pursuit of extramural program and research funding, with demonstrated experience and expertise in grant writing and proposal development.

Benefits

Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Tuition reimbursement & assistance
Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer