CEDAR is currently seeking applicants to fill multiple postdoctoral positions for computational and/or wet lab research. CEDAR offers a unique opportunity for outstanding, driven, and creative postdoctoral fellows to perform cutting-edge and high-risk research, ranging from understanding basic cancer biology and mechanisms to developing novel approaches and technologies for detection, computational analysis or therapeutic intervention.   How to apply: - Learn about being a postdoc in CEDAR - Learn about our research areas, which may have openings for postdoctoral training.  In your cover letter, please include which area(s) you are interested in and why. - Submit your CV and Cover letter. In your cover letter, please include which area(s) you are interested in and why. Duties Include: - Prepare manuscripts, and present research findings as abstracts or oral presentations. Travel may be required. - Attend weekly group meetings and 1:1 meetings to: 1) Present data and interpretation of results; 2) Troubleshoot research results; 3) Suggest next steps. - Attend research-related meetings. These could include but are not limited to: team meetings, seminars, and journal clubs. - Perform experiments utilizing appropriate lab or computational techniques with proficiency, evaluate results, and determine the next steps to complete project and present data. Think independently and solve problems. Stay on top of scientific literature and build skills to maximize project potential.

This is an In-person Position NOT available for remote work.   Customer Care: - Provides high quality customer service to both external and internal customers that meets or exceeds the service standards of the health care industry. - Demonstrates knowledge of all department, locations, units, and buildings on OHSU campus. - Promptly greet all patient and visitors in a warm professional manner whether face to face or over the phone. This includes providing directions and screening all patients and visitors. - Determine customer needs proactively and direct inquires to appropriate resources. - Provide crisis management and conflict resolution as issues arise whether internal or external. Arrange Care: - Functions as a liaison for families during complicated cases by working with the clinical team, social worker, and case managers. - Arranges any and all accommodations needed to provide the best experience to all our customers. This includes mobility equipment (wheelchairs, stretchers, Etc.), interpreter services, and identifies support services for individuals with disabilities, when necessary, in compliance with State regulations. - Mails information packets. Enrollment & Financial Services: - Maintains current information on managed care insurance plans and serves as a liaison and information resource for patients, referring physician offices, and other OHSU staff. This includes but not limited to: Providing patient education regarding OHSU financial assistance, insurance coordination of benefits, and other facility or regulatory documents. - Maintain knowledge pertaining to insurance issues which include but are not limited to motor vehicle, Worker’s Compensation, personal injuries, Medicare, OHP/Washington Welfare/Medicaid, and exposures. - Creates new and maintains existing insurance coverages/guarantors for a patient based on their insurances and the care being provided. - Obtains benefit information including deductible or co-pays, co-insurance, stop loss or out of pocket status, and correct billing address. Collects cost-shares at time of service. - Complete insurance verification on each patient’s insurance 100% of the time. - Gathers, adds, updates, and/or verifies detailed demographic information and completed/signed forms required for services. These functions are performed at stationary computer terminalor or at patient’s bedside using a mobile computer terminal, occasionally over the phone. - Completes Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability (REALD) questionnaire with patient face to face or over the phone and updates REALD Smart Form as required by law. - Follows Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR’s) regarding workers’ compensation in operation of OHSU and industry workman’s compensation procedures. Also initiates and completes claims for worker’s compensation injuries, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, and crime victim accounts by collecting detailed information of trauma admissions (motor vehicle accident, personal injury, and/or worker’s compensation) to determine accident-related liability. Authorization & Registration Services: - Validates appropriate admitting locations by procedure and admitting provider to ensure appropriate patient placement. - Accurately complete Inter-Hospital Transfers and same-day admissions and obtain prior medical records as needed. - Activates direct admissions based on notification from unit at time of patient’s arrival. - Ensures all required forms are completed for services and confirmation of payment sources. Training: - Successfully complete the required PAS Specialist and PAS Revenue Cycle Specialist initial training and core competency assessment during the initial probationary period. Maintains core competencies, and demonstrates continuous application of these skills throughout the period of employment. - Gives instruction to other PAS Revenue Cycle Specialist personnel pertaining to PAS Revenue Cycle Specialist processes and procedures as well as performance. Provides on the job training, orientation, guidance and coaching for new PAS Revenue Cycle Specialist personnel in the service area as assigned. May be required to provide informational assessment of other PAS Revenue Cycle Specialist workers’ performance to the PAS Coordinator/Supervisor and/or the employment supervisor - Required to maintain Patient Access Services Individual Performance Standards. Daily Office Tasks: - Troubleshoots equipment problems and initiates repairs requests once reviewed with leadership. - Ensures Patient Access Services Department Coordinator is aware of low forms/supply levels. - Provide coverage in other admitting areas and the Emergency Department when needed. - Follow and complete daily task list as assigned by management.

The CVICU team provides tertiary care to critically ill patients with cardiovascular disease while the NSICU team treats critically ill patients with neurological injuries. Care in both ICUs follows evidence-based guidelines and clinical pathways developed by the multidisciplinary team. This posistion is a dual appointment with .50 FTE occuring in the CVICU and .50 FTE occuring in the NSICU.The APP faculty is expected to work a fair share of weekday, night and weekend shifts. If desired, the APP faculty may choose a night shift-only assignment after an appropriate orientation period.   Clinical responsibilities: - Assessment and treatment of ICU patients under the direction of critical care trained physician faculty, including performance of basic ICU procedures. - Rounding on ICU patients with physician faculty, fellows and residents and developing and implementing clinical plans of care. - Consultation with specialty care providers when appropriate. - Communication with patients and families about medical conditions, treatment plans, and progress. - Working with hospital and unit staff to develop and implement discharge plans for patients in the ICU, and promote patient health through education and counseling. - Timely and accurate documentation in the electronic medical record. - Collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary and interprofessional care team to ensure optimal patient care and continuously improve quality of care. - Adherence to best practice protocols and policies - Delivery of care compliant with the regulations and guidelines by the relevant regulatory bodies. - Treating all patients and co-workers with dignity and respect in alignment with the OHSU Code of Conduct. - Supporting a safe and welcoming environment where all can contribute and prosper. Education and Quality Improvement: - Orientation and education of trainees and nursing staff on the care standards and protocols in both ICUs. - Education of nursing staff, fellows, residents and medical students in formal and informal settings. - Participation in all relevant conferences and team meetings. - Collaboration with multidisciplinary and interprofessional care team members to establish or revise clinical pathways and patient education materials. Academic and professional development through attendance and/or participation at national/regional conferences is encouraged. The APP faculty may participate in a program of scholarly research activity directed toward improved understanding of the causes, detection, and treatment of diseases.

Performs testing for laboratory section using various laboratory instrumentation, reagents and reagent kits. - Follows written procedures, processes and policies. - Determines acceptability of specimens and results. - Performs instrument maintenance, start-up and QC, checks instrument parameters, and documents any action taken to bring instruments within specifications. - Performs troubleshooting procedures if indicated by daily QC or other checks and documents action. Prepares and processes samples for testing: - Performs sample processing duties: Checks in samples, prints work lists, enters results, reviews work, files paperwork, etc. - Performs all computer functions using LIS/HIS according to established procedures and makes required comments in computer. - Organizes study samples and data using manual or computer-based methods. Reviews and compiles testing results and paperwork for interpretation by lead, Technical Coordinator, manager or faculty: - Ensures that all patient and QC results are calculated and recorded according to standard procedures. - Checks results for plausibility and consistency with diagnostic criteria. - Works with faculty to improve efficiency and quality of work. - Works with faculty to evaluate and adapt new tests and methods for pre-analytical sample preparation in all methods used by the laboratory in order to improve the efficiency, accuracy and throughput of testing. Carefully documents method development ideas/procedures in writing - Writes new and revises old laboratory procedures - Assists with correcting reports, reviewing work lists. Calibrates, maintains and troubleshoots laboratory instruments and procedures.   Other duties - Assists with inventory of reagents and supplies, according to established procedures. - Answers phones, transfer calls, calls or pages physicians, and documents appropriately. ­ Attends and participates in staff meetings and training. - Completes competency training, annual review of policy and procedure manuals and safety review as scheduled. - Trains new employees, students, residents and fellows. - Performs other projects as assigned or requested by manager, technical coordinator or lead worker. - This position requires the employee to work variable hours, weekends, some holidays and on call. Working alone is often required on the off shifts. Excellent attendance required. - Performs requirements for staff members as outlined in Compliance Roles and Responsibilities in OHSU Hospitals and Clinics, and understands and complies with the Code of Conduct, OHSU and departmental policies and procedures, and other applicable procedures, rules and regulations. - Communicates and works effectively as part of a team, and interacts with a variety of clients including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff and patients, maintaining a customer service focus at all times. - Refers questions to technical coordinator, lead worker or lab manager when needed.  

- Analysis and write up of data for publication and presentation of data at national and international meetings. 85% - Conceptualization of data and explanation to others, including data collection staff. 10% - Attend collaborator, staff, lab, and other necessary meetings. 5%

The appointee shall provide services as assigned by the supervisor in furtherance of the university’s missions and goals of teaching, research, patient care, outreach and public service. This position will serve as an OHSU Clinical Associate providing clinical care within CMH. OHSU Clinical Associates are fully embedded physicians and advanced practice provider members of the OHSU Practice Plan (OPP) who deliver care at OHSU-affiliated settings and devote 100 percent of their time to patient care.   This position reports to the CMH Chief Medical Officer, the CMH medical director of the hospitalist service, and the OHSU Office of Community Engagement and Support.   The duties of this position include: As part of our mission, OHSU strives to “lead and advocate for programs that improve the health for all Oregonians, and extend OHSU’s education, research, and health care missions through community service, partnerships, and outreach” and we are seeking others who share these values to join our team.   Clinical duties will primarily consist of operating as part of an inpatient medicine care team to include admitting, managing, and discharging patients, performing medical consultation, and engaging in co-management with other specialties. This position includes 8-hour shifts on weekdays, working with a hospitalist physician.  There may be opportunities to engage in teaching. In addition to a broad range of clinical duties, you will participate in relevant quality review and process improvement. Individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences are highly encouraged to apply.

The Department of Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University is seeking a senior scientist who can lead the basic science efforts in the lab. The successful candidate will join Dr. Jonathan Brody’s lab with the goal of understanding the molecular aspects of pancreatic cancer, how tumor cells adapt to microenvironmental stimuli, and to develop and optimize targeted, personalized therapies for this disease. Currently, the lab is funded to study post-transcriptional gene regulation driven by the RNA-binding protein, HuR. Dr. Brody’s work has demonstrated that tumor cells exploit HuR function to stabilize and enhance expression of genes pivotal for adaptation to the tumor microenvironment (i.e., low glucose, hypoxia, and chemotherapeutic exposure). Typical laboratory techniques require expertise with cellular and molecular biology techniques (PCR, qPCR, RNAseq), protein extraction and western blotting, cell culturing, microscopy, and mouse work. The laboratory is always interested in incorporating new techniques and strategies (including using an -omic approach to complement bench work). The Research Associate will be responsible for most of the planning, implementation, and data interpretation associated with their own research.  Additionally, the successful candidate is expected to interact with graduate students and be actively involved in their scientific supervision and in the general research directions of the lab (both technically and intellectually). A critical aspect of this position is to establish and maintain collaborations by taking full advantage of the terrific network of labs offered within OHSU, including the Brenden Colson Center for Pancreatic Care and the Dept. of Surgery (for which Dr. Brody is Associate Director for Translational Studies and Vice Chair for Research, respectively), as well as the Knight Cancer Institute. This is an ideal position for the ambitious candidate who wants to bring their scientific career to the next level, and has tremendous potential for establishing a strong long-term scientific program.

Full-time neurologist for the Layton Aging & Alzheimer’s Disease Center. This position will be half clinical, half research. Position duties include 4 outpatient clinics per week; teach medical students, neurology residents, and geriatric neurology fellows; This position is expected to develop and maintain a funded research program. Initial research effort may be investigator-initiated or will go toward existing Center-wide Aging & Alzheimer’s projects if the applicant does not already have funded research.

We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher with an interest in algorithm development of analytics for the large, diverse data sets generated by ORCATECH research projects.  This position is anticipated to last 1.5-3 years to allow adequate time for the researcher to integrate with the team and understand the available data.  Position may be hybrid or remote, with workspace available at OHSU’s main campus. Some travel may be required for conference presentations.   Current research projects a post-doctoral scholar could be involved with include the following: - Characterizing Older Mexican (American) Participation in Activity Digitally, Reliably, and Ecologically with the CART Platform (COMPADRE CART) is focused on monitoring real-world physical, cognitive, and social activity patterns in the homes of older Mexican Americans. - The Pacific Aging and Cancer Studies (PACS) is focused on learning about changes in patient functioning and quality of life in people undergoing cancer treatment by using unobtrusive, passive measurement technology. - Digital Evaluations and Technologies Enabling Clinical Translation for AD Study (DETECT-AD) is to improve early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease using a home-based system that continuously assesses a person’s activity and health in their home environment using simple devices (such as watches, electronic pill boxes, and bed mats), as well as blood tests, and brain scans. - Ecologically Valid, Ambient, Longitudinal, and Unbiased Assessment of Treatment Efficacy in Parkinson’s Disease (EVALUATE-PD) is an industry funded trial looking at the use of the ORCATECH home-based system, cognitive testing, and bloodwork to evaluate early-stage Parkinson’s patients and their care partners.

We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher with a background in computer, information, or data science, with an interest in stream processing. This will focus on development of algorithms to process data in near-real time as it streams to servers from research participants. This position is anticipated to last 1.5-3 years to allow adequate time for the researcher to integrate with the team, understand the current platform infrastructure and data streams, and contribute to the research.  Position may be hybrid with possibility of becoming remote, with workspace available at OHSU’s main campus in Portland, OR.  Some travel may be required for conference presentations.   The work being done as part of this postdoctoral fellowship will support projects focused on aging in place, spanning from Mexican Americans to cancer survivors, and early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease.   There will be expectations and opportunities for publishing results and presenting at conferences.

Responsible for the general cleaning of both patient and non-patient care areas such as office and bathrooms in the hospital and clinics. - Cleaning and Sanitizing: - Cleans and sanitizes all surfaces and floors in patient rooms, clinical areas, support space, public areas, office space, and restrooms to include mopping, sweeping, vaccuuming, spot cleaning carpets, dust moping, wet mopping, damp wiping, high dusting; - Cleans and sanitizes equipment, including beds, stretchers, and bassinets; uses chemical cleaners and disinfectants. - May clean and sanitize all surfaces and floors in OR’s, intensive care units, high risk patient areas, patient rooms, clinical areas, support space, public areas, office space, and restrooms. - Waste Removal: - Collects trash, linen, and trash carts; - Empties and cleans trash bins; empties and cleans trash bins; - Operates trash compactor and waste sterilization equipment. - Equipment & Furniture Cleaning: - - Makes beds, bassinets, cribs, and stretchers; - Moves beds, furniture, and other equipment for cleaning; operates EVS cleaning equipment. - Supplies and Restocking: - Stocks EVS closets and carts; replenishes dispensers (soap, paper towels, toilet paper, alcohol based hand sanitizer, disposable seat covers). - Customer Service & Patient Experience: - Responds to patient requests in a customer-focused and timely manner; - Effectively utilizes I CARE and other patient experience tools for patient experience.

Responsible for the general cleaning of both patient and non-patient care areas such as office and bathrooms in the hospital and clinics. - Cleaning and Sanitizing: - Cleans and sanitizes all surfaces and floors in patient rooms, clinical areas, support space, public areas, office space, and restrooms to include mopping, sweeping, vaccuuming, spot cleaning carpets, dust moping, wet mopping, damp wiping, high dusting; - Cleans and sanitizes equipment, including beds, stretchers, and bassinets; uses chemical cleaners and disinfectants. - May clean and sanitize all surfaces and floors in OR’s, intensive care units, high risk patient areas, patient rooms, clinical areas, support space, public areas, office space, and restrooms. - Waste Removal: - Collects trash, linen, and trash carts; - Empties and cleans trash bins; empties and cleans trash bins; - Operates trash compactor and waste sterilization equipment. - Equipment & Furniture Cleaning: - - Makes beds, bassinets, cribs, and stretchers; - Moves beds, furniture, and other equipment for cleaning; operates EVS cleaning equipment. - Supplies and Restocking: - Stocks EVS closets and carts; replenishes dispensers (soap, paper towels, toilet paper, alcohol based hand sanitizer, disposable seat covers). - Customer Service & Patient Experience: - Responds to patient requests in a customer-focused and timely manner; - Effectively utilizes I CARE and other patient experience tools for patient experience.

Responsible for the general cleaning of both patient and non-patient care areas such as office and bathrooms in the hospital and clinics. - Cleaning and Sanitizing: - Cleans and sanitizes all surfaces and floors in patient rooms, clinical areas, support space, public areas, office space, and restrooms to include mopping, sweeping, vaccuuming, spot cleaning carpets, dust moping, wet mopping, damp wiping, high dusting; - Cleans and sanitizes equipment, including beds, stretchers, and bassinets; uses chemical cleaners and disinfectants. - May clean and sanitize all surfaces and floors in OR’s, intensive care units, high risk patient areas, patient rooms, clinical areas, support space, public areas, office space, and restrooms. - Waste Removal: - Collects trash, linen, and trash carts; - Empties and cleans trash bins; empties and cleans trash bins; - Operates trash compactor and waste sterilization equipment. - Equipment & Furniture Cleaning: - - Makes beds, bassinets, cribs, and stretchers; - Moves beds, furniture, and other equipment for cleaning; operates EVS cleaning equipment. - Supplies and Restocking: - Stocks EVS closets and carts; replenishes dispensers (soap, paper towels, toilet paper, alcohol based hand sanitizer, disposable seat covers). - Customer Service & Patient Experience: - Responds to patient requests in a customer-focused and timely manner; - Effectively utilizes I CARE and other patient experience tools for patient experience.

Under direct supervision, primarily provides general administrative support for a project, team, or work unit. Similar to an Office Clerk or Specialist*. May also include data entry into RedCAP, filing of data collection forms, and transferring data collection forms between clinic and hospital.

This position is full-time postdoctoral level (PhD in neuroscience or biophysics) in the von Gersdorff lab in the Vollum Institute. - Planning, executing, and analyzing experiments for independent research project(s) using electrophysiology, molecular, cellular, and live imaging and computational approaches in the retina and/or CNS. - Manuscript preparation for individual projects and assisting other lab members with manuscripts as needed. - Assisting the PI and other lab members with grant application (data acquisition, writing assistance, editing) as needed. Preparing fellowship applications. - Traveling to national and international meetings to present on findings. - Helping to mentor and train junior members of the laboratory.

- Conducts assessments of patients with chronic pain and independently plans and delivers technically competent care to patients with complex needs. Initiates follow-up, and updates plan of care based on patient responses and feedback from other health professionals. - Using Motivation Interviewing techniques, provides individualized patient education on pain management strategies, identifying and securing appropriate services to meet individual needs. Acts as an expert in resources local to the patient, providing referrals to services. Directly coordinates services on behalf of patient, delegating care in a safe and efficient manner. - Conducts comprehensive medical record reviews of enrolled patients as part of data generation to form care plans, determine compliance, and coordinate services. - Facilitates weekly educational patient groups that are held virtually. - Documents the research and nursing process in an informative, consistent, accurate, concise, and timely manner. - Participates in clinical research coordination, program development, implementation, and strategic planning for the study intervention. - Participates in monthly Research NCM meetings, and other research team related functions, as appropriate.

The Veterinary Pathologist works within the Pathology Services Unit (PSU) in the Division of Animal Resources and Research Support and provides advanced comparative pathology services to ONPRC core scientists, veterinarians, OHSU affiliates, and external investigators. The ONPRC maintains state of the art pathology facilities with Animal Biosafety Levels-2, 2+ and 3 necropsy suites, an excellent veterinary electronic health record system, highly trained pathology support staff and on-site clinical pathology and histology laboratories.  The facility provides the unique opportunity to work with nonhuman primates (NHP) and develop highly applicable skills that translate across multiple disciplines in a collaborative, healthy work environment.   This position offers a unique opportunity to provide services in both diagnostic pathology and research support. The Veterinary Pathologist performs and oversees post mortem examinations of NHP and prepares pathology reports (gross and microscopic) which include interpretation of clinical pathology, microbiology, and other ancillary test results. The position supports ONPRC researchers performing gross necropsies, histologic examination, and study review; by participating in study design and interpretation; and contributing to collaborative publications. The Veterinary Pathologists works closely with clinicians, providing diagnostic services through necropsy and biopsy evaluation. The pathology unit serves as a local and national resource for expertise in NHP pathology. Our archives provide decades of valuable resource to support publication and research pursuits, dedicated time for both is provided. The Veterinary Pathologist participates in the dissemination of findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals, scientific meeting presentations, virtual seminars and slide conferences, and innovative resources such as the Primate Pathology Image Database (PPID).  The pathology team works with the research and veterinary community through collaborative relationships with investigators, the National Primate Research Center Consortium Pathology Working Group and New Model Development Group, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine and others, providing access to a large network of pathology and research expertise.   The Veterinary Pathologist will work with two Board Certified Veterinary Pathologists, each with over 25 years of experience in comparative pathology and expertise in nonhuman primates. ONPRC pathologists are exceptional mentors and are excited to welcome and share their expertise with another enthusiastic pathologist. The chosen candidate will have training and leadership opportunities at all career levels, including mentorship for the Veterinary Prosector, Necropsy Technicians and pre and post graduate veterinarians through campus externships and the Oregon State Laboratory Animal Residency Consortium (OSLAMRC). Qualified candidates will oversee a post graduate one-year training position in nonhuman primate pathology.   The successful candidate for this position will have experience working in a research and/or diagnostic veterinary environment. The pathologist will work well both as a team member and individually. The position requires excellent communication skills in written and oral formats. Prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and competing deadlines are essential parts of this position. The duties involve handling and processing of biological samples with potentially infectious agents including Macacine herpesvirus 1, working at Animal Biosafety Levels 2 and 3, and working with potentially hazardous chemical agents. Candidates must have the ability to wear required personal protective equipment including powered air purifying respirator (PAPR), to carry and lift up to 20lbs, and be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation. Work-life balance is important to us. To meet the needs of the successful candidate, flexible work hours and remote work opportunities are available.

Prepares Outpatient Prescriptions: enters prescription and billing information into pharmacy computer system, retrieves refills and receives refill authorizations for prescriptions, prepares prescriptions for final review by pharmacist, processes refill requests via EHR   Assists pharmacist in technical support activities such as answering telephone, typing medication profile maintenance, paperwork and recordkeeping as assigned.   Actively engages in inventory control, checks stock for outdates, orders supplies for pharmacy and clinic from appropriate sources   Interacts with other health care team members   Participates in and advances patient centered pharmacy programs to include the appointment based program and adherence packaging.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will join a laboratory that is studying the central nervous system mechanisms of involuntary weight loss and wasting (cachexia) during the development of cancer.  The project involves the use of in vitro and murine models to understand the impact of peripheral cancers on autonomic nervous system function in the periphery. This project also has an associated clinical trial that will provide samples and data to confirm the basic hypotheses generated in the preclinical work. This NIH-funded study will define mechanisms of autonomic nervous system plasticity in the setting of chronic stress and inflammation, and will test novel therapeutics to address this debilitating condition.     Daily responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, data acquisition and analysis, record-keeping and attending weekly lab meetings to present research findings. The postdoctoral fellow will also be required to produce scholarly manuscripts detailing results of ongoing studies.

Key Responsibilities: - Collaborate with programs and schools to recruit and hire content and writing tutors. - Manage student workers, providing support and feedback to improve tutoring services. - Develop high-quality workshops and other resources to assist tutors in gaining the necessary skills and learning strategies to provide effective support within their OHSU programs. - Maintain organized records for the management of student employees, including performance evaluation. - Facilitate and maintain a streamlined scheduling process for students requesting tutor support. - Develop an annual report to include programming, usage data, trends, impact of services on learners, and recommendations for future services. - Coordinate and collaborate on programming, faculty development, and academic committees with OHSU’s academic programs, support offices, and student groups. - Other Duties as assigned Supervisory Responsibilities: - This position supervises 50+ student workers Fiscal Responsibilities: - This position Monitors expenditures against departmental budget; prepares necessary documentation for supervisor review/approval; tabulates budgetary data; calculates figures, and checks for accuracy.