Computer Systems Analyst

Overview:

To serve as a Computer Systems analyst at NIA/IRP. Analyzing problems and propose solutions that enhance the operation of web-based data collection activities.

Requirements:

• Provide expert recommendations in application of Perl CGI to other study investigators.

• Make recommendations to physicians and technologists about optimal use of electronic media for record keeping and other study-related data management; Create medical image analysis evaluation portal for doctors.

• Automate image transfer, storage, and conversion using DICOM, from multiple servers and medical imaging equipment, including but not limited to Hologic, Toshiba, GE; Manage the medical image data automation, storage, and accessibility.

• Assign, review and mentor the computer support technician in the collection and removal of medical image data; Aid computer support technician in efforts to troubleshoot web application problems and server and network issues on the MRV.

• Advise the clinical technicians on application use; Offer guidance on techniques to improve data collection; Ensure data integrity of information entered by technicians through communication and auditing.

• Update Quest Diagnostics laboratory panels; Ensure successful lab data transfer, storage, and retrieval.

• Coordinate account information for all staff.

• Participate in weekly and monthly meetings regarding the overall status of the study, participant retention, and technical hurdles, ideas, and solutions.

• Write reports and documentation related to programming tasks.

• Ensure programs are clearly written, well documented, and can be supported and maintained by any programmer with an intermediate level of skill in the language using source code configuration and version management.

• Coordinate full lifecycle of web-based applications.

• Serve an expert resource by recommending, implementing, and maintaining best practices for programming on-line data collection and data review in a epidemiologic field study.

• Serve as authoritative source for most effective and efficient web design that produces the most accurate data collection and data review -- this requires independent knowledge and skills in creating the most effective look and feel with the greatest logical flow for user interaction with the system.

• Create novel solutions using best programming practices or revise existing computer code to reflect evolving standards using independent judgment about applying new methods only when they best serve the purposes of data collection.

• Independently design and implement novel web-based data collection systems and programs for real-time medical examination data collection in the most appropriate programming language with minimal daily oversight.

• Create novel participant and personnel management systems to meet study operational requirements such as tracking participants or scheduling participant visits, and implements and maintains programs and databases to perform this function.

• Create system for generating reports to participants based on data collected in the field, by laboratory tests, by instruments, and by information entered into web-based forms.

• Design, implement, and maintain databases that correspond to web-based programs, and implement programmatic mechanisms for transfers and backups from data collected in real-time on medical instruments such as EKG and DXA.

• Design, implement, test, and deploy software that minimizes data entry by staff and makes maximum use of instrument interfaces without compromising functionality, availability, reliability, access, security, and performance of computing services for study staff and investigators.

• Assign, review and mentor other programmers in development of applications to collect clinical research data and medical image data.

• Perform database administration, database management, and database programming across multiple web-servers; Familiar with MySQL master-master replication.

• Perform system administration of web-server systems to ensure ongoing operations without any failure of data entry.

• Export data from relational database to other software such as statistical programs (e.g.,SAS) when needed by researchers and other programming personnel.

• Provides technical experience needed to perform analyses, processing and user support of various computer systems using standard statistical procedures and techniques.

• Provide project management guidance and assistance to specific projects and activities.

• Identify unmet needs, introduce new technologies, and gather feedback from the user community to increase the reliability of the tracking and data collection.

• Interface with staff as needed to gather project requirements, develop project plan with web team, and help execute plan.

• Design, develop, document, analyze, create, test and modify computer systems, programs and integrations.

• Sets up and uses various computer systems and software packages.

• Implement improvements to development activities to speed development of applications, databases, or software tools.

• Determine needs and provide IT support for computerized systems supporting activities. Compiles and manages data and assists with quality control.

• Develop custom computer applications for collecting and analyzing data, including some that interface with commercial and custom-built hardware.

• Maintain accurate and complete problem tracking and resolution databases.

• Manage data formatting input and output. 

• Perform quality assurance and quality control; troubleshoot issues with image analysis and quality.

• Drive collection of new data and the refinement of existing data.

• Produces various reports, graphs and figures for presentation.

• Write policies, procedures, and standards; provide training on hardware and software; coordinate and/or set up customer systems.

• Interface with the statistical programming team to develop programming standards and assist the team with validation and change control documentation.

• Trains users in applying systems and analysis methods.

• Educate users in the use of the tools and reports.

• Provide computing support including troubleshooting, answering technical inquiries from users, and procuring new systems.

• Consult and collaborate with users to explain new tools and enable them to be adapted to meet specific research needs.

• Develops new programs and systems as needed. 

• Create system documentation, electronic templates and examples, training materials and presentations.

• Develop and test web applications.

• Develop dedicated and efficient computer software using state of the art computer science approaches, including modern programming languages and coed libraries, machine learning, cross-platform programming, and high-performance computing.

• Develop scripts to automate data processing pipelines.

• Develop and implement new or major revisions to applications, databases, or software tools Coordinates data storage and mining.

• Manage a data storage and backup for scientific computers using available resources.

• Establish and/or maintain local storage and high-speed networks.

• Manage full lifecycle of web-based applications.

• Maintain back up and archiving systems to avoid loss of research data.

• Create data housing structures and workflow.