I have to write up a job description for a statistician. This includes
essential functions and important functions. Here are two examples.
The first is how my own job was described back in November 2004 by my
former boss.
1. Describe Essential Function: To provide consultation regarding
protocol design and data analysis for clinical, basic, and behavioral
research projects. How work is completed: Collaborate on development of
grant proposals, manuscripts and data analysis plans, provide verbal and
written recommendations. Percent of Time: 35%
2. Describe Essential Function: Serve as consultant and, at times,
serve as co-investigator on grant proposals for statistical consultation
during development and prior to submission. The incumbent will be
expected to consult on or be co-investigator on approximately 30
protocols annually. How work is completed: By submission of report, grant
proposal or publication of results. Percent of Time: 25%
3. Describe Essential Function: Conduct data analysis on affiliated
projects. Consultation and/or referral for best approach on other CMH
projects. How work is completed: Provide assistance with experimental
design and selection of appropriate statistical techniques and
consultation in the application of more sophisticated data analysis.
Percent of Time: 5%
4. Describe Essential Function: Advise on selection of best
software and database structure, including oversight of maintenance. How
work is completed: Assessment of research projects and the identification
of the data variables and most effective statistical techniques and
software for the research. Percent of Time: 5%
5. Describe Essential Function: Enhance knowledge of the
statistical products and services that are available to improve research.
How work is completed: Attends at least on educational offering for
professional growth yearly and reviews professional statistical
literature on a regular basis. Identifies community, regional, and
national statistical resources. Percent of Time: 5%
6. Describe Essential Function: Establish, coordinate, and teach
classes in research design and basic statistical concepts and techniques
to faculty, fellows, and residents. How work is completed: Maintains,
schedules, and teaches course curriculum during each academic year.
Maintains instructional materials on statistics on research web site.
Percent of Time: 25
Interestingly, there were no functions that were not essential. My
position required a PhD, and the justification for this was
Doctoral level professional necessary to provide breadth and depth
of expertise necessary to provide statistical consultation for
investigators, provide level of instruction required, and provide
statistical support for NIH (and other competitive) grants.
When asked to describe additional knowledge, skills, abilities or work
experience, if any, necessary to complete the essential functions, my
former boss wrote
Experience collaborating with and teaching biomedical researchers,
teaching and curriculum development experience. Ability to interact with
and assist professional staff and faculty at all levels of statistical
sophistication. Proficiency with statistical software.
A revised version sent to me has the following essential functions.
1. Describe Essential Function: Conduct data analysis on clinical,
basic, and behavioral research projects. How work is completed: Provide
analysis on data sets brought by researchers. For those researchers
interested in and capable of performing their own data analyses, advise
on the appropriate data analysis methods for their data sets. Percent of
Time: 40%
2. Describe Essential Function: Assist in the preparation of
research posters, presentations, and publications. How work is completed:
Produce appropriate tables, graphs, and charts that summarize the results
of data analysis. Assist in the description of the statistical methods
used and provide appropriate bibliographic citations for novel methods.
Percent of Time: 20%
3. Describe Essential Function: Assist in the preparation of
research protocols. How work is completed: Work with researchers to
produce an objective and testable research hypothesis that is practical
given available time, money, and other resources. Select a research
design and a data analysis plan that is consistent with the research
hypothesis. Select a sample size with adequate power and precision.
Percent of Time: 10%
4. Describe Essential Function: Assist in the preparation of
research grants. How work is completed: Work with researchers to produce
a specific aims and research hypotheses that are consistent with the
goals of the researchers with the mission of the funding agency. Justify
the choice of sample size, research design, and data analysis plan.
Percent of Time: 10%
5. Describe Essential Function: Provide advice and support on the
management of data on complex research projects. How work is completed:
Select appropriate tools for data collection, including data collection
from automated devices so as to insure data integrity and quality.
Percent of Time: 10%
6. Describe Essential Function: Enhance the knowledge of
researchers on important issues relating to research design, data
analysis, and basic statistical concepts. How work is completed: Attend
at least on educational offering for professional growth yearly and
reviews professional statistical literature on a regular basis. In
concert with other experts in research methodology, prepare seminars,
training classes and/or handouts that cover basic issues and recent
developments in these areas. Percent of Time: 10%
The justification for the Masters degree is
The applicant must have detailed understanding of the foundations
of statistis across the broad range of analyses needed in a highly
heterogenous research environment. This level of knowledge requires
extensive coursework and training beyond the level of a bachelor's
degree.
The additional knowledge, skills, abilities, and work experience are
Strong oral and written communication skills. Experience
collaborating with and teaching biomedical researchers. Ability to
interact with and assist professional staff and faculty at all levels of
statistical sophistication. Proficiency with statistical and database
software.
.
