Director Office of Research Finance Administration

Irving, Texas, Description Summary: The Director of the Office of Research Finance Administration (ORFA) will develop and oversee a team and operating structure that ensures the efficient and effective delivery of funded program support services with duties such as approving research budgets and collaborative arrangements; negotiating and developing awards and contracts; maintaining appropriate compliance with government regulations in clinical trial agreements, proposal submissions and award processing; establishing, implementing, and auditing internal controls within applicable EMRs to prevent occurrence of double-billing; liaising with Corporate Accounting for generation of accurate research financial statements; owning and optimizing Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) to improve research performance and reporting; and facilitating and managing other steps in the research and funded program development process. S/he will be responsible for support of proposal development, efficient and careful proposal processing, contract negotiation, and management of compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Within the CHRISTUS Institute for innovation and Advanced Clinical Care (CIIACC) and reporting to the System Director of Research onsored programs across the System. The primary role of the Director, ORFA will be to support the research and education mission of CIIACC by working with peers in the Office of Human Subjects and Research Protection Program; Office of Investigator Support; Revenue Cycle, Risk Finance, Corporate Finance, Accounting, Treasury, and Legal Services to develop, refine and manage the execution of processes andsystems needed to ensure the efficient negotiation and execution of agreements; the integrity of reported financial standing of the research enterprise; and the integrity of the clinical research revenue cycle.  The Director, ORFA must possess and demonstrate effective administration and technical skills and exercises a wide range of independent judgment and discretion in discharging duties and responsibilities outlined. The Director, ORFA shall also remain knowledgeable about current federal regulations and pending changes, OMB Circulars, FAR’s, and Cost Accounting Standards. Collaborate with investigators, department administrators, study coordinators, sponsors and the research counsel to develop and negotiate budgets and contracts for industry-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated research. Serve as the primary liaison to investigators, study coordinators and department administrators for communicating study resource requirements, obtaining required pre-study approvals, and addressing financial concerns after study initiation. Review research protocols, clinical practice guidelines, National and Local Coverage Determinations, and Medicare and commercial payer benefit policies to determine the billable nature of items and services provided in the context of clinical research (i. e.

, conduct prospective reimbursement analysis or “Medicare Coverage Analysis”). Maintain thorough understanding of state, federal, and commercial payer rules governing prior-authorization, reimbursement of routine costs in clinical trials, coding and claims processing requirements for billing research-related items and services. Collaborate with administrative offices, such as the Office of General Counsel, Human Research Protections Program, Compliance, Patient Financial Services, Accounting, Treasury, and Finance to create processes and tools that ensure compliance with state, federal and commercial clinical trials billing policies and working procedures. Assure optimal management of clinical research revenue cycle activities: billing, collections, payment posting, reconciliations, and reporting. Maintain a strong working knowledge of external sponsor regulations and interprets and communicates policies and procedures for institutional implementation of those regulations. Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures as appropriate in response to operational model as well as both federal and institutional guidelines Make consistent and independent judgments and decisions regarding compliance with institutional policy, as well as federal and state regulations governing grants and contracts. Identify, define and resolve issues related to pre-award grant and contract activities in accordance with federal, state, funding agency/sponsor, and institutional policies and regulations. Provide guidance to research faculty and staff on pre-award issues such as applicable regulations, interpretation of solicitations and funding announcements, proposal preparation, budget development, contract terms, pre-award account requests and cost share requirements. Act as liaison between the institution, departments and external federal and private funding agencies. Serve as overseer for implementation and maintenance of electronic research administration systems and facilitates effective utilization of the systems by cross checking data integrity; designing, developing, maintaining and distributing documentation of utilization of the systems.

Responsible for the development and dissemination of a variety of training programs including face-to-face and on-line training for research investigators, faculty and staff. Analyze requests for information related to pre-award and develop procedures to improve institutional reporting. Manage and provide day-to-day supervision and quality assurance for work product of direct reports, who are responsible for: preparing prospective reimbursement analyses, preparing and negotiating clinical trial budgets, invoicing sponsors, reviewing patient charges, coordinating payment deposits, tracking accounts receivable and accounts payable, reconciling budgets and receivables, preparing and submitting grant applications, and creating and distributing monthly financial reports. Train and educate direct reports and other staff, including clinicians and administrators, on the rules and requirements related to research finance and clinical trials billing. Provide data analyses and ad hoc reports requested by the Senior Leadership. Attend meetings as a representative of Office of Research & Academics, as requested. Participate in quality or process improvement committees as a department representative, as requested. Perform other duties or special projects as assigned. Organizational Requirements: Maintain strict adherence to the CHRISTUS Health Confidentiality Policy. Incorporate CHRISTUS Health Guiding Principles, Mission Statement and Goals into daily activities.

Comply with all CHRISTUS Health Policies. Comply with behavioral expectations of CIIACC and CHRISTUS Health. Maintain courteous and effective interactions with colleagues and patients. Demonstrate an understanding of the job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment. Demonstrate a commitment toward meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers and consistently adheres to Customer Service standards. Participate in and successfully completes Mandatory Education. Perform all other duties as needed or directed to meet the needs of the Office. Requirements: Education: Bachelors degree in Biology, Public Health, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or other basic, clinical or social science discipline. Master’s Degree preferred Licensure and, Certification (preferred): Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Juris Doctorate (JD), Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), or Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR). Minimum 5 – 7 years of experience working and managing in a Clinical Trials Office, Grants and Contracts or Sponsored Programs Office, or other hospital-based Research Administration setting is required; Clinical trials budgeting experience is required; Coverage Analysis, Billing Compliance, and Contracts experience; Post-award grants finance experience; Demonstrated ability to supervise staff or special projects.

Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and process large amounts of information. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse clientele, both verbally and in writing. Work Type: Full Time

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