Job Title: Program Assistant, Medicare's Future
Organization: The Commonwealth Fund
Location: Washington, DC
Salary:
FT Regular
 
Job Description:
THE ORGANIZATION
The Commonwealth Fund, among the first private foundations started by a
woman philanthropistAnna M. Harknesswas established in 1918 with the broad
charge to enhance the common good. The Fund carries out this mandate by
seeking to move the United States towards a high performance health care
system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater
efficiency, and focuses particularly on the most vulnerable due to income,
minority status, health, or age. The Fund supports independent research on
health and social issues and makes grants to improve health care practice
and policy. The Fund is a value-added foundationconducting intramural
research; working closely with grantees in designing, publishing, and
communicating the results of projects; and conducting a web-based and
media-oriented communications program aimed at reaching influential health
policy and practice audiences. The Fund's income derives from its endowment,
which has a market value of approximately $800 million.
 
THE PROGRAMS
The Program Assistant provides support to the Senior Program Director for
the Program on Medicares Future and some activities related to the Funds
Commission on a High Performance Health System. These programs are based at
the AcademyHealth offices in Washington, DC.
 
Medicare, the nation's largest health care program, provides near-universal
coverage for basic benefits to a total of 44 million people37 million
people age 65 and older and 7 million disabled individuals under age 65. For
more than 40 years, Medicare has helped the nation's elderly and disabled
obtain the health care they need, while protecting the most vulnerable among
them from financial hardship. Medicare faces many challenges as it begins
its fifth decade, as program costs continue to rise and its beneficiaries'
needs continue to evolve. Through its Program on Medicare's Future, the
Commonwealth Fund works to enhance Medicare's ability to carry out its
traditional mission of ensuring access to the health care needed by the
nation's elderly and disabled and protecting the most vulnerable among them
from financial hardship; and to identify ways in which Medicare can become
more effective and efficient, so it can remain solvent and provide
appropriate and high-quality care for an aging population and serve both as
an example and a means of disseminating better performance throughout the
health care system.
 
Despite spending the most on health care, the United States lags behind
other industrialized nations on many dimensions of health system
performance. Formed in July 2005, The Commonwealth Fund's Commission on a
High Performance Health System seeks to chart a course for a U.S. health
care system that provides significantly expanded access, higher quality, and
greater efficiency for all Americans, especially those who are most
vulnerable. During its first three years, the Commission has highlighted
specific areas where health system performance falls short of what is
achievable, made the case for a holistic approach to reforming health care,
and laid out its vision of the attributes that would define a high
performance health system.
SUMMARY POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Program departments originate and shape the individual grants and
projects that are made by the Fund. The Program Assistant, Medicares Future
serves in both an administrative and research role. The position provides
general administrative support to the program director and provides writing,
editing, and research support in the development of grants and publications.
It is expected that approximately 80% of the Program Assistants work will
be devoted to supporting the Program on Medicares Future, with work on the
Commission on a High Performance Health System another 20% of his/her
workload over time. The Senior Program Director and support staff also
collaborate with other Fund staff in Washington and New York to contribute
to other Fund activities when issues coincide or their experience and
expertise is desired. Specific responsibilities include:
 
PROGRAM ON MEDICARES FUTURE (80%)
 Provides program support for all aspects of the Medicares Future grant
process: preparation of proposed Board-level Grants, proposed Small Grants,
payment and review schedules, and letters of agreement; tracking of program
and project products, including papers and conferences, and scheduling grant
payments accordingly; and scheduling and planning program meetings.
 Assists in the development of grant proposals and budgets and in the
preparation of project write-ups for board meetings three times a year. This
involves communicating with potential grantees, conducting research on the
proposal topics, and drafting summaries of grant proposals.
 Provides administrative support for the program director: calendar,
telephone, travel, meetings, expense reports, correspondence and duplication
and distribution of program work.
 Monitors all program grants: includes corresponding with grantees,
monitoring timelines and tracking grantee products, and maintaining subject
and administrative electronic and paper files. Also helps in the planning of
meetings, forums, or conferences related to grantee work.
 Arranges appointments and scheduling of internal and external meetings,
which includes reserving meeting rooms and arranging for food, beverage, and
audiovisual needs.
 Prepares documents for internal and external meetings. This involves
Internet and library research and assembling materials and detailed
information about projects in the program areas.
 Prepares materials including slides for public presentations by the
program director.
 Prepares correspondence to current and prospective grantees, consultants,
and experts reviewing proposed projects; assembles and provides materials on
Fund programs, projects, and other activities as requested by grantees and
other individuals.
 Conducts background research, including literature reviews, Internet
searches and tracking journals, working papers, legislative developments and
public coverage of health policy issues related to Medicare.
 Provides research and writing support for the Fund reports based on Fund
commissioned surveys. May include survey development, statistical analyses
(using computer statistical software), tables and chart preparation, and
report writing.
 Provides research and writing support for Fund fact sheets and issue
briefs. This work includes: preparing tables and charts as well as drafting
summaries of grantee reports.
 Occasionally attends relevant briefings on Capitol Hill and other
Washington locations, as well as selected other conferences.
 
COMMISSION ON A HIGH PERFORMANCE HEALTH SYSTEM (20%)
 The program assistant may be asked to provide support in the
implementation of the Commission-related meeting agendasincluding some
support for the three yearly Commission meetings, the annual Congressional
retreat and congressional staff retreat, and a series of briefings and
roundtables on Capitol Hill. Associated duties include ensuring that
appropriate materials have been developed for each meeting and working with
staff from the Alliance for Health Reform to assure that all necessary
logistic support for Commission meetings is provided.
 
The Commonwealth Fund staff located in Washington function in many respects
as a team. The program assistant is expected to be a major contributor to
team efforts. As such this position will cross-train and provide back up as
needed for both the Program Associate for the Commission and the Program
Assistant for the State Innovations Program.
 
The Commonwealth Funds philosophy on successful performance in the job
includes the willingness on the part of all staff members to handle any
assignment necessary to further the goals of the institution. This may
include taking on responsibility in other program areas or departments if
the need arises.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
College degree and one or more years related work experience. Interest in
health policy is essential. Preference will be given to applicants with
prior research assistant or administrative experience. Preference also will
be given to those with undergraduate course work or major in a social
science or public policy, and experience writing for public audiences.
 
Candidates must have strong writing and analytic skills as well as
organizational and administrative skills. Ability to manage and work on
multiple tasks, work with budgets, and prepare graphics and tabular data
presentations. Flexibility and skill in working as a team member are a must
as the position requires working in a high demand, multiple task environment
with changing priorities. Intellectually curious and able to gather, assess
and synthesize information from various sources.
 
Excellent written communication skills. Strong computer skills, including
knowledge of the Windows Office Suite of products, Gifts for Windows,
Outlook Exchange, and the Internet. Familiarity with SAS or similar
statistical software a plus. Candidates must be willing to learn new
computer skills as necessary to work with the Funds web site and surveys.
Must have an interest in and strong commitment to the Fund's mission and
current grants programs.
 
The Fund has a relatively small staff, and judgment, integrity, and the
ability to listen with sensitivity to others are traits that are
particularly important in an organization of the Funds size, where teamwork
is essential to effectiveness. The ability to work collegially with a
variety of Fund staff and interest in and strong commitment to the Funds
mission and grants programs are key qualifications.
 
START DATE
This position is expected to start on July 15, 2008.
 
COMPENSATION
Commensurate with background and experience. The Fund offers an excellent
benefits package (medical/dental insurance, life/disability insurance, a
defined contribution retirement plan, tuition reimbursement and ample paid
time off).
 
 
 
How to Apply:
CONTACT
Send resume and cover letter via e-mail to: dd@cmwf.org
Diana Davenport
Vice President, Administration
The Commonwealth Fund
One East 75th Street
New York, NY 10021-2692
 
 
The Commonwealth Fund values diversity and is committed to the recruitment
and retention of individuals of diverse backgrounds, sex, race, religion,
and sexual orientation.
 
Organization Web Site: www.commonwealthfund.org
 
Email replies to: dd@cmwf.org