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.

Children's National Hospital is recruiting a 5-year research assistant (RA) to join a multi-center team for the entitled NIH grant Family mHealth Intervention to Improve Health Outcomes in Black Youth with Type 1 Diabetes.

Job responsibilities include all aspects of subject recruitment and retention through home-visits, and data collection, including administration of questionnaires, and structured interviews. The RA will also assist with data entry and medical chart review.

There will be opportunities for qualitative and quantitative data analyses, presentations at scientific meetings, and helping to prepare manuscripts for publication. Opportunities also exist to participate with research training and mentorship at Children's National Hospital within Divisions of Psychology & Behavioral Health and Endocrinology & Diabetes.

Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree BA/BS degree in a psychology, pre-med, public health, or related degree acquired prior to the end of May 2024 (Required) Or

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

Experiences, familiarity, and training in cultural humility related to working with youth and families with diverse intersectional identities and lived experiences

Must be able to effectively use Microsoft computer software. Experience with SPSS and REDCap preferred

Experience with field/home-visits procedures related to community-based data collection

Transportation to conduct home-visits

• 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