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Quality Improvement & Health Services Clinical Research Fellowship

Department of Urology, Yale School of Medicine

Concentration in health services research as well as quality improvement implementation, with flexible opportunities to participate in diverse research within the department.

Position Description

The position encompasses a variety of linked efforts across two major domains:

1. Quality Improvement

Coordinate efforts of the Urology Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee (UQAIC) including data acquisition and analysis (e.g., NSQIP, NHSN, Vizient), management of peer review process, and participation in design, implementation and analysis of departmental quality improvement projects.

Duties to include: organizing quarterly UQAIC meetings; obtaining, analyzing, benchmarking, and disseminating quality data including from both internal and external sources; working to validate, disseminate, and investigate the efficacy of proprietary, fully-transparent, EPIC-based surgeon-level outcomes dashboards; IRB application writing and coordination; grant writing; student mentorship. Emphasis will be placed on manuscript writing and publication. There will be opportunity to participate in quality efforts in other aspects of Yale Medicine and Yale New Haven Health System if interested.

Distinction Certificate in Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, and Health Equity:

The Yale Urology Quality Improvement Clinical Research Fellow is eligible to earn a Distinction Certificate in Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, and Health Equity by completing the following requirements over the course of the year:

  • Completion of the online IHI Basic Certificate
  • Attending the Yale School of Medicine GME-sponsored Quality Improvement/Health Equity Bootcamp interactive didactic learning series
  • Present the results of one of your Urology Quality Improvement Projects
  • Conduct one peer teaching session on any Quality Improvement/Patient Safety/Health Equity topic
  • Attend a safety event analysis
  • Submit a safety event report

2. Health Services and Clinical Outcomes Research

To understand and improve health outcomes, Yale University School of Medicine’s Department of Urology is committed to performing current and impactful studies of urologic diseases. This training opportunity is designed to give the candidate a comprehensive clinical research experience in study design, analysis, presentation, and publication. The fellow will work closely with faculty members in the development and execution of projects relating to clinical epidemiology, outcomes, and health services research with an emphasis in urologic oncology and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion. The primary responsibilities include administrative and analytic support for national, local, and regional databases maintained in the department. In addition, the applicant will have opportunities to engage in a range of didactic activities and collaborations within the health system.

Desired applicant characteristics:

  • Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple simultaneous projects.
  • Effective communication with team members a must.
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently to initiate, pursue, and complete projects with periodic guidance.
  • Quantitative background is not required; however, familiarity with statistical methods is strongly encouraged.
  • Proficiency in at least one statistical software package (Microsoft Excel, SPSS, SAS, Stata, JMP, R)

This position is ideal for a candidate looking to strengthen their application before applying or re-applying to a Urology residency or fellowship.

Those who have completed the Yale Urology Quality Improvement & Clinical Research Fellowship have all successfully matched into Urology residency:

  • Alejandro Abello, MD (YU QI Fellow 2019-2020): Urology Residency, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Matthew Buck, MD (YU QI Fellow 2020-2021): Urology Residency, Thomas Jefferson University
  • Dylan Heckscher, MD (YU QI Fellow 2021-2022): Urology Residency, Yale University
  • Michael Jalfon, MD (YU QI Fellow 2022-2023): Urology Residency, Yale University
  • Maximilian Rabil, MD (YU QI Fellow 2023-2024): Urology Residency, Yale University

Employed position through Yale University. Salary commensurate with education level and experience.

Application Requirements:

Applicants should email their CV, medical school transcript, STEP scores (if available), 3 letters of reference (can be from Urology residency application), and a brief personal statement regarding the goals they hope to achieve during the fellowship to Michelle Ross, Fellowship Coordinator, at michelle.j.ross@yale.edu by February 5, 2024.

Program Directors