A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional references

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to HHSrpp@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

A fellowship opportunity is available in the Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ) in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), and under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Rockville, MD.

OASH provides leadership to the nation on public health and science matters, and communicates on these subjects to the American people. OASH is a staff division in HHS that performs both policy and program roles and is led by the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH), whose chief mission is promoting, protecting and improving the nation’s health.  ODPHP has been leading the alignment of disease prevention and health promotion activities across the Department for more than 30 years. Within ODPHP, the Division of Health Care Quality coordinates Departmental efforts to reduce preventable adverse health care-associated conditions, most notably health care associated infections (HAIs) and adverse drug events (ADEs). Visit http://health.gov/hcq/ to learn more about key projects and initiatives supported by DHCQ.

Under the guidance of the Director of the Division, the ORISE fellow will have the opportunity to be involved in the following activities:

Coordinating Departmental efforts to advance the National Action Plan to Prevent Health Care-associated Infections (HAI Action Plan) and the National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event Prevention (ADE Action Plan), thereby enhancing patient safety as well as decreasing ADEs for anticoagulants, diabetes agents, and opioids and HAIs in various health care settings. This involvement includes:

• Assisting with federal interagency workgroups to advance and incorporate strategies that align with and advance both action plans.
• Identifying academic and professional society partners to serve as subject matter experts, to disseminate key messages, and execute parts of the two action plans.
• Supporting contractors to evaluate federal resources aimed to prevent adverse drug events such as the online training Preventing Adverse Drug Events: Individualizing Glycemic Targets Using Health Literacy Strategies and develop strategic promotional opportunities for the training.
• Supporting the Federal Steering Committees in tracking national rates of HAIs and ADEs and sharing progress towards achieving 2020 goals with stakeholders.

Supporting the NCCC Federal Advisory Committee. The NCCC is tasked with evaluating and providing recommendations on the coordination and leveraging of federal programs related to complex metabolic or autoimmune diseases that result from insulin-related issues and represent a significant disease burden in the United States including diabetes. This involvement will include:

• Coordinating the Federal Advisory Committee meetings.
• Informing the public through Federal Register Notices of upcoming public meetings.
• Reviewing and organizing public comments.
• Assisting with drafting reports on the NCCC’s progress final report.
• Developing communication materials (blogs, webinars, messaging to stakeholders, articles, talking points, and presentations) related to the HAI and ADE Action Plans and the NCCC. This also includes leading activities that leverage and extend the Division’s e-learning efforts.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of infection prevention, antibiotic stewardship, medication safety (including safe opioid prescribing), and diabetes education and prevention.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and HHS. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of HHS contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at HHS in the Rockville, Maryland, area. Participants do not become employees of HHS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

• A master's degree in public health or a closely related field, or a doctorate in pharmacy,  received within the last five years.
• Strong written and oral communication abilities are required, as well as facility with computer software programs to conduct everyday business.

Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of a public health environment and some involvement in improving health care quality. Applicants should be able to get involved independently as well as on a team, demonstrate initiative and attention to detail, and able to efficiently plan, prioritize, and manage complex projects simultaneously.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (2 )