darryl@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca (Darryl Pahl) (09/07/89)
POSITION TITLE: Computer Programmer
FACULTY SUPERVISORS: Drs. Brian Haynes and Michael Ramsden,
Dept. of Clinical Epidemiology and
Biostatistics
REPLY TO: BHAYNES@SSCVAX.McMASTER.CA
Dr. Brian Haynes
Department of C.E.&B.
McMaster University
Health Sciences Centre
1200 Main Street West,
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
L8N 3Z5
(416) 525-9140 x2311
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SCOPE OF THE POSITION
This is a full time position. On a day to day basis the
incumbent will be responsible for the testing and developing
of expert programmes to be evaluated, when complete, in
clinical trials. The process of development of these expert
programmes involves understanding complex medical data bases
(to be learned on the job), delineation of programming
tasks, allocations of tasks to one of three collaborating
teams, doing the main share of programming and integrating
the other parts into a polished final product. He/she will
also screen commercial programmes for potential evaluation
by the Health Information Research Unit, assist with the
training of personnel in the use of software and for the
installation and basic maintenance of equipment.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
o test and develop software for use in clinical trials
using common programming languages (e.g. "C") plus data
base programs such as Paradox, DBase III+ and Nexpert
(most of the programmes will be for the development of
expert systems and data collection, some for analysis;
there may be a requirement to work with hypermedia pro-
gramming)
o the incumbent will be the main programmer for, and
oversee the development of expert programmes based on
complex data bases for the management of medical
disorders. He/she will evaluate the programming tasks,
allocated specific subtasks to one of two other colla-
borating programmers, integrate the allocated tasks and
be responsible for the final product
o identify the availability of commercial programs and
select to fit predetermined criteria
o install and perform the initial screening of commercial
packages
o assist with the training of personnel both within the
research team and in study settings
o perform new equipment installations and carry out the
basic maintenance for existing equipment
o investigate and recommend on hardware and software pur-
chases for the furtherance of the study objectives
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
o highly desirable to have experience in artificial
intelligence and the development of expert programs
o must have a facility in several programming languages
(primarily C; dBase; Pascal and Basic secondary) and
competency with WORDPERFECT is desirable
o must have practical, thorough working knowledge of IBM
PC's and clones. Desirable to have experience with Vax
workstations.
o experience in Microsoft Windows or Dec Windows software
development and an interest in exploring new areas such
as object oriented programming would be an asset
o facility in telecommunications work, especially using
modems
o some knowledge of network software and hardware would
be helpful
o must be flexible, with good interpersonal skills and
willing to work as a member of a team