What does a health researcher do?
A health researcher is responsible for analyzing materials and publications and develop efficient research methodologies to support the analysis within the health industry. Health researchers review the current health trends, identify risks that may put public health in jeopardy, and coordinating with medical health professionals for in-depth investigation of diseases. They also assist laboratory technicians in performing examinations according to the research findings, proposing treatment plans, and improving diagnosing methods. A health researcher may present the study with different institutions, including the government, and recommend ways to minimize public health risk.
Health researcher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real health researcher resumes:
- Lead Inovalon's team of biostatisticians and SAS programmers.
- Manage database of test responses and conduct data analyses for NIH technical report.
- Manage site assessment, initiation, monitoring, query resolution and site closure done by several CRO's and sponsors.
- Create Linux shell scripts to automate common process which severely reduce manual work load and processing time for the entire lab.
- Acquire and analyze clinical data (SAS programming).
- Coordinate an FDA document retrieval system which decrease time and costs in filing new drug applications.
- Educate people around campus about safe sex and the best way to prevent contracting STI's or pregnancy
- Assist in all office work, data entry, customer service, cpr certify, cpt coding, medical terminology
- Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solid and liquid materials after synthesis.
- Obtain height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and guide them on appropriate BMI.
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of processes and procedures in order to comply with internal requirements as HIPPA regulations.
- Work include microsurgical aortic graft transplantation and MRI studies of hearts having have myocardial infarctions
- Maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
- Organize the Latino community to promote awareness on the use/abuse of alcohol and its relationship to domestic violence.
Health researcher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Health Researchers are proficient in Health Services, Data Collection, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Health Researchers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Health Services, 13%
Develop, implement and manage information systems technologies related to health services and practices for hospital wide quality improvement.
- Data Collection, 12%
Skilled in data entry and analysis in ACCESS system, routinely composed comprehensive reports on data collection
- Data Analysis, 10%
Conducted all data analysis, presentation and document drafting required for development of 25-page report.
- Research Findings, 8%
Translated, publicized, and explained the latest LGBTQ health research findings to a popular audience.
- Health Economics, 6%
Developed data base on research and researchers in the field of health economics in the SADC region.
- Health Insurance, 5%
Contacted health care directors and administrators to collect information on cost of care and health insurance.
"health services," "data collection," and "data analysis" are among the most common skills that health researchers use at work. You can find even more health researcher responsibilities below, including:
Observation skills. The most essential soft skill for a health researcher to carry out their responsibilities is observation skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Additionally, a health researcher resume shows how their duties depend on observation skills: "conducted preliminary observations and data collection for dissertation research on afro-brazilians and education at instituto cultural steve biko. "
Communication skills. Many health researcher duties rely on communication skills. "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways," so a health researcher will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways health researcher responsibilities rely on communication skills: "promoted taiwan's first national health insurance (nhi) scheme by developing integrated marketing communications strategies and managing program budget. "
The three companies that hire the most health researchers are:
- American Institutes for Research18 health researchers jobs
- Mathematica8 health researchers jobs
- UnitedHealth Group4 health researchers jobs
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Compare different health researchers
Health researcher vs. Associate scientist
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a health researcher are more likely to require skills like "health services," "outcomes research," "research findings," and "health economics." On the other hand, a job as an associate scientist requires skills like "chemistry," "patients," "cell culture," and "gmp." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Associate scientists earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $80,987. On the other hand, health researchers are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $85,907.On average, associate scientists reach lower levels of education than health researchers. Associate scientists are 5.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 4.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Health researcher vs. Fellow
A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that health researcher responsibilities requires skills like "health services," "outcomes research," "research findings," and "health economics." But a fellow might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "professional development," "veterans," and "mathematics."
On average, fellows earn a lower salary than health researchers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, fellows earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $67,978. Whereas health researchers have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $85,907.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Fellows tend to reach lower levels of education than health researchers. In fact, they're 6.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Health researcher vs. Senior scientist
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, health researchers are more likely to have skills like "health services," "data collection," "outcomes research," and "research findings." But a senior scientist is more likely to have skills like "patients," "molecular biology," "c++," and "java."
Senior scientists earn the highest salary when working in the telecommunication industry, where they receive an average salary of $107,016. Comparatively, health researchers have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $85,907.senior scientists typically earn lower educational levels compared to health researchers. Specifically, they're 5.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 20.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Health researcher vs. Staff scientist
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
Types of health researcher
Updated January 8, 2025
