Introductory Statement
This handbook is designed to acquaint you with the Biomedical Research Institute of New Mexico (BRINM) and to provide you with information about working conditions, employee benefits, and some of the policies affecting your employment. You should read, understand, and comply with all of the provisions of the handbook. It describes many of your responsibilities as an employee and outlines the programs developed by the Institute to benefit the employees. One of our objectives is to provide a work environment that is conducive to both personal and professional growth.
No employee handbook can anticipate every circumstance or question about policies. As BRINM continues to grow, the need may arise to change policies described in the handbook. BRINM, therefore reserves the right to revise, supplement, or rescind any policies or portion of the handbook from time to time, as it deems appropriate, in its sole and absolute discretion. Employees will, of course, be notified of such changes as they occur.
The only recognized deviations from the stated policies are those authorized and signed by the President and/or Executive Director of the Biomedical Research Institute of New Mexico.
The information contained in this handbook is merely a summary of present policies and procedures and is not intended or to be construed as a contract of employment nor a legal document.
It should be understood and agreed that in consideration of your employment you should conform to the rules and regulations of the Institute. It should also be understood that employment and compensation can be terminated, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either the Institute or yourself.
No supervisor or representative of BRINM, other than the President, has any authority to enter into any agreement for employment for any specified period of time, or to make any agreement contrary to the foregoing. Termination of employment by BRINM shall be in writing and signed by your supervisor or the President of the Institute.
Organizational Description: BRINM
The Biomedical Research Institute of New Mexico (BRINM) is classified as a public nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). It is one of more than 80 similar nonprofit organizations associated with VA Medical Centers nationwide. Passed in 1988, Public Law 100-322, Section 204 authorizes the establishment at any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical
center of a nonprofit corporation to provide a flexible mechanism for the receipt and administration of research funds other than VA appropriations. The purpose of BRINM is to advance the research mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs through the support of research-related activities at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System (NMVAHS).
Sources of funding may be grants, contracts, or gifts from for-profit companies, charitable foundations, the National Institutes of Health or other Federal agencies, professional societies or other nonprofit entities, and individuals. Because the only statutory purpose of BRINM is to facilitate VA research, all funds received must be administered for purposes relating to VA approved research or to further research related education.
The mandated members of the board of directors for BRINM are the NMVAHCS Director, the NMVAHCS Chief of Staff, the NMVAHCS Associate Chief of Staff for Research and the NMVAHCS Associate Chief for Education. In addition, at least two members are required who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government, but are familiar with issues involving medical and scientific research.
Currently, BRINM administers funding for approximately 100 different VA approved research projects and employs more than 76 full-time and part-time individuals. Some of the projects are funded entirely through BRINM and for others, BRINM administers supplemental funding. Although the majority of the research on these projects is conducted at the NMVAHCS, some of the work is carried out as cooperative studies at other locations. A few of the medical disciplines encompassed in these studies are audiology, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, immunology, neurology, oncology, psychology, and psychiatry.
BRINM has proven to be invaluable as a means for handling medical research funding. This mechanism has enabled investigators to conduct their research in an expeditious manner, free from much of the usual institutional red tape. Because of this, BRINM has become a well-established institution with a growing number of active investigators and research projects. As the Institute’s activities evolve, its mission has expanded to provide funding for research projects including those of young investigators who are just beginning their research endeavors. The first occasion to provide funding in this way was a cosponsored grant with the Albuquerque VA Research Service awarded on October 1, 1997. It is anticipated that this award will be granted annually.
BRINM is located on the NMVAHS campus in Building 14. Thomas F. Byrd, M.D. is the President and Donna Wilt is the Executive Director. If you have any questions or would like additional information about BRINM, please call 260-1033.
Definitions
ELIGIBILITY PERIOD: During the first 90 days of employment, new employees are entitled only to those benefits that are required by law, such as Worker's Compensation Insurance and Social Security. Upon satisfactory completion of the 90 day eligibility period employees become eligible for any other employer-provided benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of each benefit program. See the BRINM human resources administrator for clarification of these benefit programs.
EXEMPT STATUS: Employees classified as exempt will receive a biweekly salary and are not entitled to overtime compensation. Exempt employees will be expected to work the hours needed to satisfactorily meet their job requirements.
NON-EXEMPT STATUS: Employees classified as non-exempt will receive an hourly wage and will be entitled to overtime compensation as described in this handbook.
Employees will be notified of their exempt or non-exempt status at their time of hire.
FULL-TIME: Employees who are regularly scheduled to work the organization's full-time schedule (40 hours per week) are classified as full-time. Generally, they are eligible for the employer's full benefit package, subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations of each benefit program.
PART-TIME: Employees who are regularly scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week are classified as part-time. Part-time employees may or may not be eligible for the employer's limited benefit package, subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations of each benefit program.
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