Associate Implementation Scientist

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Department

Job Summary

The Learning Health Systems team in the Office of Academic Affairs at Denver Health seeks an Implementation Scientist to serve as a system-wide leader in learning health system (LHS) research, implementation science, and quality improvement. This role will design, lead, and advance pragmatic implementation and improvement initiatives that are tightly integrated with clinical care and operational priorities. Working in close partnership with clinicians and operational leaders, the Implementation Scientist will translate evidence into practice, build institutional capacity in implementation science and QI, and advance impactful, publishable work aligned with organizational priorities. A core component of this role is developing and leading applied training and mentorship for clinical fellows and interdisciplinary care teams, pairing hands-on project work with skill-building in implementation science and QI methods.

The ideal candidate will hold a doctoral degree in implementation science, health services research, or a related health field, with demonstrated experience leading implementation efforts in healthcare settings. Candidates should have a strong record of scholarly dissemination, including peer-reviewed publications, and experience applying implementation science theories, frameworks, and pragmatic study designs in real-world clinical and operational contexts. Experience mentoring clinicians, fellows, or project teams and supporting capacity-building in applied research and improvement is strongly preferred.

The Associate Implementation Scientist will play a key role in advancing high-quality care by leading and supporting pragmatic implementation science, quality improvement (QI), and applied health services research across the healthcare system. This individual will design, evaluate, and disseminate implementation strategies that support rapid uptake of evidence-based practices, strengthen learning health system capabilities, and advance organizational quality and safety priorities.
Working collaboratively with partners across the Denver Health healthcare system and with university, academic, and community partners, the Implementation Scientist will collaborate with system leaders, clinicians, informaticists, patients, families, and community members to produce novel insights and evidence that can be rapidly implemented to improve health and service system outcomes. This individual will contribute to research focused on the systematic implementation of innovations and outcome monitoring of these interventions, consistent with Denver Health's strategic plan. They will also work closely with key partners to identify, prioritize, and conduct rapid-cycle improvement efforts in priority areas related to improving healthcare quality and safety.
Essential Functions:

• Use participatory research approaches and meaningfully engage with diverse, multi-level partners to identify and prioritize questions that address the needs of clinicians, patients, families, and community members. (10%)
• Use theory, conceptual models, and frameworks from the field of implementation science (or related fields) to plan, design, execute, evaluate, and refine learning health system research (5%)
• Provide expertise in using observational, quasi-experimental, and experimental study designs to conduct research in a manner that is minimally disruptive to the functioning of a complex health system. (5%)
• Provide subject-matter expertise and lead or direct implementation science initiatives across the healthcare system aligned with organizational quality and strategic priorities. (5%)
• Partner with clinician scientists, clinical teams, and operational leaders to co-design, mentor, and share knowledge in implementation science, pragmatic research, and quality improvement. Implement capacity building efforts and mentor colleagues to train the next cadre of learning health system/implementation scientists focusing on systems science, dissemination and implementation, and rapid cycle improvement. (5%)
• Design implementation and improvement efforts grounded in evidence-based practices, clinical workflows, and operational realities, working closely with clinical and operational teams to ensure feasibility and relevance. (5%)
• Apply established implementation science theories, frameworks, and conceptual models to guide the planning, execution, evaluation, and refinement of initiatives. (5%)
• Apply pragmatic and methodologically rigorous approaches to support the implementation and evaluation of interventions in partnership with clinical teams, balancing scientific rigor with minimal disruption to care delivery. (5%)
• Working in conjunction with informaticists and big data experts, use clinical information systems, including electronic health records and other clinical and digital information sources, to develop and execute research and quality improvement projects to inform patient care. (5%)
• Utilize mixed methods approaches and meaningfully engage key stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, families, and community members, to incorporate diverse perspectives, using community-engaged and participatory research methods and rapid-cycle improvement approaches. (5%)
• Develop and support sustainable plans to integrate findings into routine practice, including mechanisms for ongoing evaluation, refinement, and spread. (5%)
• Disseminate findings broadly through internal channels and external venues, including presentations and products tailored for healthcare leaders, clinical and operational partners, community stakeholders, and other relevant audiences. (5%)
• Lead and support scholarly dissemination, including the development of peer-reviewed publications and other academic products. (15%)
• Collaborate with clinical quality leaders in the development of an integrated quality program and key metrics dashboard. (5%)
• Work with key partners to develop and advance the learning health system program, including the governance structure and strategic mission and vision. (5%)
• Apply learning health system principles to foster shared learning, engagement, and community across teams, supporting continuous feedback, adaptation, and knowledge dissemination. (5%)
• Support the identification and pursuit of extramural program and research funding, with demonstrated experience and expertise in grant writing and proposal development. (5%)

Education:

• Doctorate Degree Or relevant experience in implementation science and/or learning health systems Required

Work Experience:

• 4-6 years Relevant experience in quality, safety, improvement science in healthcare Required

Licenses:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience conducting observational, quasi-experimental, and pragmatic experimental research within complex healthcare systems.
• Experience with qualitative and mixed methods research approaches.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise reports and presentations about data and complex issues and the ability to communicate with government officials and clients.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Knows and applies best practices to include input from patients, families, providers, and other team members.

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.5%, and generous medical plans

• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes

• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

• Tuition reimbursement & assistance

• Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program 

• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

Our Values

• Respect

• Belonging

• Accountability

• Transparency

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.
Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, a Public Health Institute, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.
As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured. Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.
Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.
Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community.

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.