Scientific Writer - Clinical Orthopedics

At Houston Methodist, the Scientific Writer position is responsible for performing a variety of tasks including preparing laboratory and clinical studies and documents for submission to journals and granting agencies. The position facilitates the gathering of noteworthy achievements in science within the department and helps translate and disseminate that information through feature articles, news releases, newsletters, social media and other communications venues.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works with principal investigator, provides advice on grantsmanship, editorial support and standardized language for administrative sections; manages scientific writing process.

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information as it relates to assigned system(s) in a comprehensive manner.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates writing, editing, and preparation of high quality written scientific documents for grant applications, publications, scientific manuscripts for peer review, white papers, protocols, and other scientific or administrative reports.

• Assists with preparation of protocols (including amendments and informed consents), reports, and manuscripts for publication.

• Provides faculty with full lifecycle support from technical document development to preparation and submission.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assures compliance with Houston Methodist polices, rules, and regulations to meet federal, state, and local standards.

• Interpreting data and advising sponsors as to how best to present data considering regulatory agency requirements.

• Prepares moderately complex documents and sections of regulatory submissions and contributes scientific knowledge and analytical skills to the preparation of grant proposals, manuscripts, presentations, protocols, and clinical regulatory documentation.

• Assures quality and timely preparation of technical documents.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with the writing of grant applications, awards, contracts, subcontracts and other agreements.

• Submits grant proposals and manuscripts for editing.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Evaluates and reports on inventory levels. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a writer.

• Participates in departmental projects and shared governance activities; manages and leads projects related to optimization of assigned system(s).

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field

• MS or PhD in biological science field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience in science writing/editing

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Ability to write in a scientific or technical field

• Knowledgeable in writing/editing biomedical manuscripts

• Knowledgeable in grant application processes

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.