STAFF SCIENTISTS AND STAFF CLINICIANS AT THE NIH

STAFF SCIENTISTS AND STAFF CLINICIANS AT THE NIH 1993 -2011 o Staff: something that upholds or sustains; the personnel responsible for the functioning of an institution (Webster’s Third International Dictionary)

History of Staff Scientists at the NIH o o o 1990: 50% of tenured scientists judged to be “collaborative” 1993: Staff Scientist and Staff Clinician intramural professional designation created 2006: Associate scientist position created

History of Staff Clinicians at the NIH o o o Post-graduate clinicians originally known as “medical staff fellows” or “clinical/research associates” with a large number of commissioned officers In 1993, distinguished “clinical fellows” from more senior “Staff Clinicians” In 1997, Straus report recommended grandfathering of some Staff Clinicians as tenured senior investigators

Why were the Staff Scientist/Staff Clinician Positions Created? o o o Federal classification system did not distinguish scientists and physicians with these responsibilities New system provided clarity to roles of SS/SC and allowed for development of a salary system commensurate with skill and responsibility at NIH Renewable appointments provided flexibility as science and scientists changed at the NIH

Requirements to be a Staff Scientist or Staff Clinician at the NIH (http: //sourcebook. od. nih. gov/) o o o Doctoral degree in a biomedical or biobehavioral science Must be personally and directly engaged in research Does not have independent resources or lead a research program, but works independently with minimal supervision by a PI; BSC review is not required Has essential skills and knowledge needed for the work of the PI’s laboratory or clinical program Can independently inform themselves of new approaches, technological or otherwise and are knowledgeable about scientific resources at the NIH or elsewhere For Staff Clinician: must spend majority of time in clinical care

Growth in Staff Scientist and Staff Clinician Positions at NIH over time Staff Scientist/Staff Clinicians Historical Data Year # Staff Scientists # Staff Clinicians 1994 13 2000 594 2003 788 2009 1197 2011 1367 0* 129* 193* 258* 232* *Do not include T 5/T 38 employees or medical officers in the Commissioned Corps who are functioning as Staff Clinician. PI Historical Data Year Total PIs Investigator Sr. Investigator 1994 1301 156 1145 2001 1263 295 968 2004 1252 300 952 2009 1174 265 909 2011 1137 249 888

Types of Staff Scientists o o “Classical” Staff Scientists in labs Facility heads (requires national search) Staff Scientists (Clinical) Associate Scientists

The Associate Scientist Position o The SDs, at their December 6, 2006, meeting agreed to support a new title of Associate Scientist to provide professional recognition for the relatively small number of staff scientists who are functioning at a senior level. o o o Has a substantial record of achievement; Plays a major support role within a quality research program; Has made major contributions to peer-reviewed publications as evidenced by co-authorship on a reasonable number of publications in journals generally acknowledged to be of high quality; Other evidence of being held in high regard by peers, such as being consulted by others at the NIH or elsewhere for advice and/or assistance; Received an “Outstanding” rating by the IC Quadrennial Review Panel for Staff Scientists.

Types of Staff Clinicians o o o “Classical” Staff Clinicians; support a clinical program through patient care responsibilities Staff Clinicians with some independent resources; may be PIs on clinical protocols Discussion of two new titles: “Master” Clinician and “Associate Clinician”

Evaluation of Staff Clinician Position at the NIH o o Given the multiplicity of roles that Staff Clinicians play, there is interest in evaluating the position with the possibility of differentiating different functions New Deputy Director for Intramural Clinical Research, Steven Holland, has taken this as a priority goal

Issues for Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians o o o What is the career trajectory? What will be the effect of government-wide salary freezes? Is there a possibility of the position being made more “permanent? ”