Guideline Methodologist

About the Role

Provide methodological support for CHEST’s clinical practice guidelines development program. Conduct systematic reviews based upon IOM (National Academies) standards and develop clinical practice guidelines using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, consistent with CHEST standards. Coordinate guideline development, dissemination, and implementation efforts with volunteers, the Guidelines Oversight Committee, Education Committee, CHEST journal, and CHEST Foundation. Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, including writing reports, managing guideline development efforts, and assisting in the development of other official CHEST documents.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a passion for crushing lung disease and embody CHEST values: honor the team, lead with integrity, leverage passion, cultivate innovation, and have serious fun.
• Conduct comprehensive and systematic literature reviews on assigned topics, including:
  • Develop clinical questions utilizing the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) model
  • Formulate search strategies, determine inclusion/exclusion criteria, and conduct systematic and comprehensive literature searches
  • Screen search results to identify relevant studies
  • Acquire articles, maintain article files and EndNote libraries
  • Review articles and extract relevant data into evidence tables (summary of findings, descriptive, and methodological assessment tables) and evidence profiles
  • Assess study quality
  • Conduct meta-analyses
  • Write systematic reviews
  • Facilitate interpretation of evidence tables and profiles
• Assist in the refinement of CHEST’s policy on guideline methodology to improve ongoing development, dissemination, and implementation.
• Work with the guideline program manager during planning, development, publication, dissemination, and implementation, including:
  • Coordinating panel and project development
  • Establishing and managing timelines and budgets for each project
  • Conforming to department policies and procedures
• Leverage automated workflows and artificial intelligence within CHEST policies to enhance efficiency throughout the guideline development cycle while ensuring methodological rigor.
• Assist with the development of implementation and evaluation tools for CHEST guidelines, guideline derivative products, consensus statements, and evidence-based programs.
• With staff support, assist with planning and coordinating conferences and meetings of assigned guideline or consensus statement panels, prepare minutes, collect materials, maintain databases, and review manuscripts.
• Maintain regular communication with department staff, members of the GOC, and assigned guideline/expert Chair(s) and panel volunteers.
• Support guidelines dissemination activities, including maintenance of the CHEST website, provision of detail for communications, and participation in presentations, podcasts, or educational sessions.
• Develop research reports and papers on topics of interest to CHEST. Draft requests for proposals, funding applications, manuscripts, and other papers as assigned.
• Represent CHEST as an innovator in the guideline development space by:
  • Remaining active in the guidelines community and representing CHEST within it
  • Collaborating with clinicians and CHEST staff to develop derivative products for published guidelines
  • Working with other teams to assess the effectiveness of derivatives and improve product functionality and development processes
• Perform methodologic reviews of guidelines submitted to the CHEST Journal by outside medical societies in collaboration with the CHEST Editor in Chief.
• Assist with other projects and tasks of the department as necessary, including obtaining articles and documents requested by CHEST staff.

Requirements

• Advanced post-graduate degree in one or more of the following: health services research, epidemiology, public health, health sciences, library science, or a clinical area such as medicine or nursing with a high level of comfort dealing with medical terms, concepts, and taxonomies.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: biostatistics, research methods, evidence-based medicine, literature review, systematic reviews, guideline development and critical appraisal, scientific protocol development and study design, guideline dissemination and implementation.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience developing clinical practice guidelines, specifically using GRADE methodology and utilizing modified Delphi methods.
• Experience conducting searches with PubMed and other online research databases, with the ability to approach scientific and medical literature from an analytic perspective.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to gain trust and communicate complex concepts with clarity to diverse groups (e.g., physician volunteers, academics, association staff).
• Ability to consistently complete projects in accordance with given timelines, objectives, budgets, and CHEST policy and procedures.
• Strong prioritization skills and drive to execute on tasks and goals, anticipating contingency needs.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in multiple large concurrent projects at different phases and focus attention accordingly.
• Effective oral, electronic, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with teams.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Mac- or PC-based applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and comparable programs.
• Familiarity with key guideline development toolsets, such as EndNote, GRADEPro, and RevMan Web. Willingness to learn new software programs.
• Periodic travel required to represent CHEST at professional society and business meetings.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending account; long-term and short-term disability insurance; life/AD&D insurance.
• Work/Life Balance: 37.5-hour work week with flexible start times; Paid Time Off; Paid parental leave; Hybrid work environment; Paid holidays.
• Giving and Sharing: 401(k) with matching contribution from CHEST; Health club and fitness reimbursement; Employee counseling program; Reimbursement for professional memberships; Tuition Reimbursement.
• Office Perks: Lunch & Learns; Annual Health Fair; Professional development courses; Volunteering opportunities; Annual Holiday Party; In-office “Busy Breaks.”

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is USD $115,000 to USD $125,000. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, or other items. CHEST considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.