UNIV - Staff Scientist - Department of Anesthesia

Job Summary:

Healthcare systems create inefficiencies and accidents through a complex mix of factors. The tasks required, the equipment used, the working environment, the team and pressures from the organization all contribute to failure or success in any complex system. Human beings create safety by holding deficient systems together, and rather than signifying "negligence," adverse events are a symptom of deeper system problems. Putting humans at the center of developments in technology and treatments allows us to address the needs of our providers and patients, improving safety and efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing overall well-being. 

The role will be to collaborate with others and lead research and practice in the application of human factors knowledge and techniques within clinical settings. The clinical focus will be toward surgery, and anesthesia practice, but may encompass any form of care delivery that MUSC or its close partners may be engaged in. The work will require collaboration with a wide range of physicians, nurses, staff, administrators, other hospital employees and occasionally patients. It will also require collaboration with a broad range of academics, architects, technology or equipment vendors, human factors experts, and any other stakeholders engaged in the design and implementation of clinical systems. 

The HF applicant should be prepared to work on a variety of research and improvement projects, including, but not limited to, surgical teamwork and performance, operating suite design, sterile services improvement, medication errors, hospital-related IT and technology implementation, surgical robotics, and error modeling. They should also work over time to establish their own research interests, portfolio, collaborators, and funding streams. They should also be prepared to sufficiently supervise and lead others in applying human factors techniques and other research methods to deliver to self-defined project goals. The applicant should be willing to work alongside, and occasionally take direction from the Chair of Human Factors. 

Education:  

• PhD in industrial/organizational psychology, human factors, human sciences, ergonomics or engineering. Should be eligible for membership of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, or other organization affiliated with the International Ergonomics Association. 

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

• Evidence of practice in the independent application of human factors, industrial psychology or related discipline in an applied setting in an acute health care settings. 

• Knowledge of human factors techniques, such as task analysis, usability testing, user needs elicitation, direct observation, ethnography, behavioral markers, human reliability assessment. 

• Experience in safety science, quality improvement, teamwork/non-technical skills, accident and incident analysis, medical simulation. 

• Extensive knowledge and skills using PC/Macintosh applications, especially spreadsheets, word processing, presentation software, and statistical analysis packages. 

• Must have excellent oral and interpersonal skills, and be willing to develop written communication skills. 

• Ability to work independently, be self-motivated and able to adapt to evolving needs. 

• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

• Ability to quickly develop and maintain productive relationships with team members. 

• Ability to complete work assignments, accurately, timely, and with minimal supervision. 

• Ability to identify, define and develop research projects and competitive, fundable grants. 

• Ability to lead a team in delivering complex applied research projects. 

• Ability to successfully publish findings within clinical, safety, human factors or other suitable peer-reviewed journals.