Two Graduate Research Assistant positions are 
available working on a NIDRR funded SNBC Health 
Care Coordination- a research project designed to 
identify the critical elements of health care 
coordination and their impact on a number of 
outcomes including access to services, quality of 
services, psychological wellness, and costs. One 
individual will be physically located within the 
Minnesota Department of Human Services and work 
under the joint supervision of the Project 
Coordinator and DHS staff. The other individual 
will be housed within the Institute on Community 
Integration at the University of Minnesota.

DUTIES / POSITION 1: 
This person will work primarily with Minnesota 
Department of Human Services staff to analyze 
Medicaid data sets for managed care recipients 
with disabilities in the Minnesota Special Needs 
Basic Care (SNBC) program. Tasks will include: 
Identify data elements related to health and cost 
outcomes for this project. Work with the project 
statistician to define the sample frame and select
research subjects from among SNBC recipients. 
Extract records of Medicaid recipients for 
analysis from Medicare claims data; Medicaid 
claims data and functional screening data sets in 
the DHS data warehouse. Export records for study 
participants from the Medicaid data sets to files 
for University of Minnesota analysts. Work with 
the project statistician to analyze cost and 
utilization data for SNBC recipients. Conduct 
statistical analyses using existing DHS Medicaid 
data sets to answer questions about the Minnesota 
Special Needs Basic Care program. Participate in 
project team meetings. Prepare large data sets for
analysis. Conduct and interpret statistical 
analysis of research data including secondary 
analysis of large data sets. Prepare and present 
data to investigators. Prepare tables and graphs 
summarizing analysis results. Collaborate on the 
development of reports, conference papers, and 
publications as needed. Solicit data from 
participating agencies involved in grant related 
activities. Prepare status reports upon request 
regarding study participants. Prepare research 
materials for analysis. Other duties as assigned 
depending on GRA skills and interest.

DUTIES / POSITION 2: 
This individual will work at the Institute on 
Community Integration. Tasks will include: Assist 
in collecting and analyzing data from interviews 
as well as internet-based, mail and phone surveys.
Editing and preparing survey and interview 
research data for data entry and statistical 
analysis. Enter data into databases and follow up 
with study participants to obtain needed data. 
Merge data from DHS Medicaid data files with 
survey research records to create a single 
analysis file for study participants. Participate 
in project team meetings. Prepare large data sets 
for analysis. Conduct and interpret statistical 
analysis of research data including secondary 
analysis of large data sets. Prepare and present 
data to investigators. Prepare tables and graphs 
summarizing analysis results. Collaborate on the 
development of reports, conference papers, and 
publications as needed. Solicit data from 
participating agencies involved in grant related 
activities. Prepare status reports upon request 
regarding study participants. Prepare research 
materials for analysis. Other duties as assigned 
depending on GRA skills and interest.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
Current registered graduate student in the College
of Education and Human Development, Public Health,
Psychology, Statistics, Bio-Statistics or related 
field at the University of Minnesota. Graduate 
statistics course work with a minimum of 2-3 
courses at 8000 level with grades of B or above. 
One graduate level research design course. One 
year of experience (paid or unpaid) conducting 
statistical analysis using SPSS or SAS. 
Intermediate Skills using Word and Excel or 
another spreadsheet program. Effective verbal and 
written communication skills. Ability to work well
as a member of team. Ability and willingness to 
learn new computer software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  
Ph.D. Student, BA or advanced degree in human 
service related field. Experience analyzing or 
manipulating Medicare and Medicaid claims data. 
Experience analyzing large data bases. Experience 
analyzing data from complex survey designs 
(multistage designs, stratified designs, unequally
weighted data, without-replacement samples). 
Experience with internet based survey research. 
Previous work experience with data base 
management, spreadsheets, presentation software 
and other Microsoft Office applications.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
There are up to two openings for this Fall and 
Spring semester appointment. Anticipated start 
date for this appointment is 12/01/08, please 
note: position offers no tuition benefit for Fall 
semester unless combined with another graduate 
assistant employment. Starting hourly rate is 
$18.52 


TO APPLY:  
Current graduate students should apply at-
employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=77701