Clinical Research Assistant

The Clinical Research Assistant performs a variety of research, data and clerical duties of a routine and technical nature to support the conduct of clinical research under the direction of a senior research team member. The Research Assistant will develop a progressive functional knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) regulations and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. In this role, the Clinical Research Assistant completes tasks including identifying eligible participants under the supervision of a senior research team member, preparing necessary documents, equipment, supplies, etc. for research visits and conducting and documenting visits and protocol-specific testing/interviews according to study protocol, operational plans of clinical departments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for minimal risk studies or for other studies.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree BA/BS degree in a science, technical, health-related field or another applicable

discipline. (Required) Or

Minimum Work Experience

0 years Experience working in a medical or scientific research setting (Preferred)

Functional Accountabilities

Responsible Conduct of Research

Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.

Plans, conducts and manages research projects within federal and institutional regulations and policies under the direction of the principal investigator.

Stays informed of and adheres to institutional policies and federal regulations (e.g. Titles 21 and 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations) and guidance (International Counsel on Harmonization) regarding human subjects research and use of protected health information.

Uses research funds and resources appropriately.

Maintains confidentiality of data as required.

Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.

Research Administration

Maintains knowledge and comprehension of assigned research protocols, including study procedures, timelines and eligibility.

Accurately creates, completes, maintains and organizes study documents.

Accounts for study materials, including participant lists and visit logs, regulatory binders, case report forms, laboratory kits, investigational product(s) and participation incentives.

Uses and accounts for research funds and resources at performance level, including reconciling research subject billing if assigned.

Attends study meetings, which could include overnight travel, as requested by principal investigator.

Works well with other members of the research team and seeks and provides input when appropriate.

Participant Enrollment

Adheres to the IRB-approved recruitment plan.

Identifies participants that meet eligibility requirements under the supervision of a senior research team member.

Screens subjects for eligibility per the protocol and institutional policies.

Communicates effectively and provides information to a diverse, vulnerable subject population in accordance with institutional policies.

Interacts with study participants and/or legally authorized representatives (LARs) to communicate study purpose and participation details and to assess participation interest.

Engages participants/LARs in the informed consent process according to institutional policies.

Follows procedures for documenting participant incentive distribution.

Study Management

Plans, conducts and manages research activities in accordance with federal regulations and guidance documents and sponsor and institutional policies under the direction of a senior study team member.

Conducts and documents visits and protocol-specific testing/interviews according to study protocol, operational plans of clinical departments and SOPs for minimal risk studies or for other studies under direction.

Completes accurate IRB submissions within institutional timeframes.

Records participant visits in the appropriate tracking system.

Anticipates study needs and subject caseload in order to meet organizational objectives and deadlines in a timely manner.

Data Collection

Ensures data is collected as required by protocol and in accordance with research data principles (ALCOAC: Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate and Complete).

Ensures that queries are resolved within sponsor and institutional timelines.

Plans and performs research specimen collection, labeling and storage/shipping if assigned; maintains accurate sample accountability/chain of custody documentation.

Ensures secure storage of study documents and assists in maintaining regulatory documents per sponsor and institutional requirements.

Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

Partner with all team members to achieve goals

Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

Contribute to a positive work environment

Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

Use resources efficiently

Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance