Research Associate, Quantitative Expertise

VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is one of the largest not-for-profit home care providers in Ontario. Our team is made up of close to 3,000 caring and committed professionals who love what they do. Our providers tell us: “Home care is where I can truly make a difference. There is such a sense of accomplishment from helping people live independently at home.” Our teams work together to provide high quality, client-centred care to those who need it most in their homes, schools, retirement homes and other community settings. Many of our team members manage their own schedules in the community and they say, “The freedom and flexibility can’t be beat.” Providers form meaningful bonds with the clients and families they serve over time and are supported by a diverse regional team and beneficial home office programs. Team members tell us “I love the inclusive culture. I feel welcome and at home.”

Pay Range

Commensurate with Experience

As a member of VHA’s multidisciplinary research team, the Research Associate will further VHA’s vision to lead with science in the homecare sector. Working within an embedded research environment, the Research Associate will unlock clinical and operational data to generate useable datasets for research purposes. The individual will be responsible for ensuring data integrity in leading the data extraction, cleaning, analysis, and interpretation for decision-making purposes. These ever-expanding, large, longitudinal datasets will be used to inform contemporary and practical questions around homecare health services research and policy. To achieve this end, the Research Associate will apply traditional statistical methods (e.g., regression) and use of artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning and natural language processing). The Research Associate will have the opportunity to work alongside experts in the field to contribute to real change and evidence-informed decision-making in the growing homecare sector.

Key Areas of Accountability:

• Contribute to the cleaning, preparation, and organization of large administrative datasets
• Utilize large clinical and administrative data (pulling from finance, human resources, and other departments) to answer research and operational questions relevant to homecare service delivery and policy by applying statistical analyses – including the opportunity to incorporate emerging AI techniques
• Support manuscript preparation to report research findings to the broader community
• Identify and act upon additional opportunities for knowledge translation
• Contribute to the identification and design of further related research
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Obtained a graduate degree in a relevant field with strong statistical skills and foundational skills for applying artificial intelligence (e.g., biostatistics/epidemiology, engineering, computer science, health informatics, health economics)
• The successful candidate will possess critical thinking skills, strong attention to detail, an enthusiasm for new discovery, and improving quality of care and services in the home care sector
• Interest and knowledge of applying established and emerging quantitative methodologies (e.g., regression, machine learning, natural language processing) in healthcare research to answer practical questions to help inform policy-making
• Statistical quantitative analysis skills in R/RStudio required; experience with Azure AI language and Python preferred
• Clearly communicate research findings, including through the generation of compelling visualizations, clear presentations for colleagues and academic audiences, reports, and publications.
• Preference for candidates with experience working with large longitudinal administrative datasets in a healthcare research setting
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and within a team environment with staff at all levels within the organization
• Tact, discretion, and ability to manage confidential sensitive data and information
• Ability to work virtually

What makes VHA’s compensation unique?

• Benefits and pension plan for permanent eligible employees
• Compensation for education and professional development
• VHA is a leading learning organization so we can provide you with comprehensive orientation and training at the start and throughout your career
• Mentorship and peer support
• Career development opportunities
• Employee and family assistance program
• Wellness resources
• Perks & discounts
• Staff & service provider events

Accommodation and VHA’s commitment to DEI

At VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), we passionately strive to uphold our commitments to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We champion inclusion and diversity in all parts of our organization and are strong believers that a diverse workforce is key to the ongoing and future success of VHA. We aim to review all applicants with fair and unbiased recruitment practices where opportunities are presented based on merits, skills, and experience. VHA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and our services are accessible and sensitive to the needs of diverse groups. If you require any accommodation, please let us know in advance as we are happy to comply.

How to Apply?

Our online application should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

VHA is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada; an RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization designate; and a founding member agency of United Way Greater Toronto.

Thank you to everyone who applies. We will review applications as they are received. We’ll only be contacting those selected for further discussion.

In every role and at every level, we lead with purpose, build bonds that matter, and we’re passionate about providing spectacular care.