Job Description:

This position supports the research program primarily in the management of pre-project or/and pre-award financial and administrative activities for research projects conducted. Key responsibilities include the review and finalization of the Medicare Coverage Analysis (MCA) and study cost analysis. The Research Financial Analyst supports the clinical staff conducting research by serving as the point of contact for pre-award financial administration issues related to clinical research projects and services. This position will assist the hospital's research community by negotiating research budgets, and when needed working with legal counsel to finalize clinical trial agreements with sponsors and assisting with any federal grant submissions to sponsors. Other responsibilities might include assisting with billing advisement, invoicing, and research project planning items, such as ensuring departmental support, establishing agreements with vendors that provide research services or agreements for institutions seeking vendor services. This position is important to the efficient, consistent and timely set-up and close of new research initiatives. This individual works closely with the Accounting, Finance and Revenue Integrity.

Responsibilities:

1. Review complicated research protocols, sponsor agreements, informed consent forms and related documents to develop or complete quality assurance of a MCA that categorizes all services, items, costs and expenses applicable to the clinical research project.

2. Analyze Medicare benefit policies, coverage determinations and medical practice guidelines related to research-specific interventions and routine care.

3. Using the MCA, work with the Investigator and the clinical research team to develop an internal study budget to reflect all costs and expenses applicable to the clinical research trial.

4. Provide study specific training on Medicare Coverage Analysis.

5. Support the Research Billing Specialists, Clinical Research Staff and other impacted roles with the interpretation of the MCA.

6. Ensure that items designated as billable to sponsor are included in the sponsor budget and that costs incurred by the hospital are covered.

7. Lead special projects as assigned to improve financial processes and stay compliant with regulations

8. Serve as the subject matter expert on research and Medicare billing guidelines

9. Interact with members of the research team to gather the necessary information required for developing a research project budget using the budget template

10. With the help of Legal Counsel, utilize the internal budget (costs) to negotiate study budgets that account for the costs associated with a research project.

11. Interact with internal or external counsel, as necessary, when more sophisticated negotiation situations demand additional input or support for the negotiation effort

12. Maintain constant communication with internal Departments to obtain updated costs/pricing to accurately generate a research project budget

13. Based on the results of the internal cost analysis, sponsor budget negotiations and using the input of the clinical research team, assist in the determination of whether a particular research project is feasible

14. Develop grant proposals with federal and state sponsors, as needed

15. Support federal pre-award activities that relate to setting up and conducting federally funded research

16. Complete timely billing review and advisement on assigned projects.

17. Reconcile payments, create and send invoices for assigned projects.

Additional responsibilities:

1. Stay abreast of Medicare policy and regulatory documents to best inform the Medicare Coverage Analysis and patient care charge process.

2. Analyze and designate funding sources for all items, services, costs and expenses

3. Demonstrate effective professional communication.

4. Facilitate and model open communication among all staff involved in the conduct of clinical research.

5. Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of communication.

6. Foster professional presentation of verbal and written communications.

7. Stay abreast of sponsoring agency policy and regulatory documents.

8. Assist administration and management with the review, development and implementation of institutional policies and procedures to assist compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations related to clinical research.

9. Other duties as assigned

Additional Skills & Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or an applicable related field with up to 3 years of relevant experience. - An applicable related field may be business administration, accounting, law or an experienced Study Coordinator or Research Nurse with financial and/or contract management experience.

2. It is highly preferred that the individual have an understanding of Medicare billing rules and functional knowledge of essential National Coverage Decisions and the new CMS Clinical Research Policy.

3. Working knowledge of study accounting, billing and/or coding is preferred.

4. General understanding of Medicare National Coverage Determinations and Standard of Care items to complete a Medicare Coverage Analysis

5. Knowledge of key research financial regulations regarding research (e.g., FDA / OHRP / ORI / DHHS / NIH).

6. Knowledge of clinical research administration, Good Clinical Practices, and federal grants preferred.

7. Advanced experience using Microsoft Applications such as Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint

8. Effective professional communication skills; ability to communicate with others in a clear, understandable, and professional manner.

9. Strong attention to detail and ability to adhere to policies and procedures.

10. Effective organizational skills, effective follow-through and commitment to excellence.

11. Proven track record in customer service, attention to detail, and problem solving.

12. Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

13. Must be flexible and adaptable, conditions and environment are unpredictable and change frequently.

Knowledge and Abilities preferred:

1. Experience in a healthcare or community hospital setting strongly preferred

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent

• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection

• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes

• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.