Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator - Great Lakes

MPF Federal•North Chicago, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

MPF Federal, LLC is seeking an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator (ACRC) to provide on-site clinical research support at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, Illinois, and the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC). The role supports Naval Health Research Center Operational Infectious Diseases Directorate studies involving pathogen surveillance, vaccine effectiveness evaluations, and prospective epidemiologic studies of infectious respiratory and enteric diseases and emerging pathogens among basic military trainees. The work includes screening and enrolling recruits, conducting informed consent, collecting and processing biological specimens, performing protocol-required point-of-care diagnostics, and preparing specimens for shipment to a reference laboratory. The ACRC also collects and enters clinical and epidemiological data, maintains study and specimen records, supports quality control, coordinates site logistics, and helps maintain supplies and equipment. The position operates in clinical intake, recruit processing, and biosafety laboratory settings, with routine exposure to biological specimens and respiratory pathogens. The schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, with early mornings or occasional weekends to align with recruit intake cycles. Compensation is $55,000–$60,000 annually; final salary determinations are based on a variety of factors.

Requirements

At least two years of college completed, with coursework in biological sciences, public health, or a related field.
Experience with clinical trial protocols, data collection, and patient recruitment.
Working knowledge of clinical research methods, Good Clinical Practice, and Human Research Protections (45 CFR 46; 21 CFR 50 and 56).
Skill in handling infectious materials, including pipetting, centrifuging, sterile technique, and cold-chain sample preservation.
Proficiency in data entry and database management, including electronic data capture systems such as REDCap and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to handle high-volume data collection under tight military operational timelines.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work with patients and clinical staff and present professionally to large groups of military personnel.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and prioritize effectively.
Ability to work in clinical intake areas, recruit barracks and processing centers, and biosafety laboratory spaces, with routine exposure to biological specimens and respiratory pathogens.
Ability to use universal precautions and routine PPE, including respirators or masks, gloves, eye protection, and lab coats.
Ability to walk between base facilities, stand for long periods during recruit muster, and lift up to 30 pounds.
Must stay current on vaccinations required by the site for staff working in a healthcare setting.
Must be able to wear a respirator properly and pass a fit test; facial hair interferes with the mask seal.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Common Access Card and base driving privileges at RTC Great Lakes.
Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a favorable T3/Secret Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Biology, Microbiology, Nursing, Health Sciences, or a closely related field.
Experience with infectious disease surveillance.
IATA/DOT certification for shipping Dangerous Goods (Division 6.2 Biological Substances).

Responsibilities

Work under the supervision of the Assistant Clinical Research Supervisor, Clinical Research Program Manager, and Principal Investigators to support NHRC OID studies.
Screen, identify, and enroll eligible U.S. Navy recruits into clinical protocols following IRB-approved procedures.
Administer informed consent in accordance with Good Clinical Practice and Department of the Navy guidelines for vulnerable or subordinate populations.
Explain study objectives, voluntary participation rights, procedures, potential risks, and privacy safeguards in group briefings and individual intake settings.
Track enrollment, consent forms, refusal logs, and attrition data across training divisions.
Collect biological specimens as specified by study protocols, including swabs, saliva, urine, blood, and fecal samples.
Process, aliquot, label, and catalog specimens using standard operating procedures and Biosafety Level 2 precautions.
Run protocol-required point-of-care diagnostics and devices.
Prepare and package biological specimens for courier or temperature-controlled shipment in compliance with IATA and DOT Dangerous Goods regulations.
Maintain chain-of-custody documentation and biorepository tracking logs.
Collect clinical, demographic, epidemiological, and symptom data from recruits, questionnaires, and military electronic health records.
Enter data into electronic Case Report Forms and study databases within established timelines; resolve queries and review files for missing or discrepant data.
Participate in routine internal quality control audits.
Protect confidential recruit records and Protected Health Information in compliance with HIPAA and Privacy Act requirements.
Coordinate site logistics with RTC medical clinics, recruit divisional leadership, base health services, and FHCC facilities.
Maintain laboratory and recruitment supply inventories, monitor expiration dates, and reorder supplies as needed.
Monitor laboratory and field equipment, including centrifuges, freezers, transport coolers, and temperature monitors, and record daily maintenance logs.
Prepare meeting agendas, coordinate weekly situation reports for San Diego-based project managers, and help document protocol deviations.
Provide surge support during seasonal pathogen outbreaks or public health responses in recruit training regiments.
Participate in annual training, site visits, and command-level biosafety inspections.
Perform other duties as directed by the supervisor.