Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator - Great Lakes

MPF Federal•North Chicago, IL

6d•$55,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

MPF Federal, LLC seeks 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 (NHRC) Operational Infectious Diseases (OID) Directorate studies, including pathogen surveillance, vaccine effectiveness evaluations, and prospective epidemiologic studies of infectious respiratory and enteric diseases and emerging pathogens among basic military trainees. The work supports laboratory-based surveillance of U.S. military populations and related investigations of febrile illnesses and pneumonia. Duties include recruit screening and enrollment, informed consent, specimen collection and processing, point-of-care testing, data collection and management, shipment and tracking of specimens, and coordination with military and healthcare facilities. Results from surveillance and investigations support research sponsors, military health surveillance, local investigators and collaborators, and public health responses. This is a full-time, on-site position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule. Early mornings or occasional weekends may be needed to match recruit intake cycles. Compensation is $55,000–$60,000 annually; final salary determinations depend on various 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 applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to manage 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 extended periods during recruit muster, and lift up to 30 pounds.
Must stay current on vaccinations required by the site for healthcare-setting staff.
Must be able to wear a respirator properly and pass a fit test; facial hair that interferes with the mask seal is not permitted.
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

A 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-sponsored studies.
Screen, identify, and enroll eligible U.S. Navy recruits in clinical protocols according to 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, refusals, and attrition across training divisions.
Collect biological specimens specified by study protocols, including swabs, saliva, urine, blood, and fecal samples.
Process, aliquot, label, and catalog specimens according to SOPs and Biosafety Level 2 precautions.
Run point-of-care diagnostic tests and devices when required by protocol.
Prepare biological specimens for courier or temperature-controlled shipment to the NHRC reference laboratory 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 supply inventories, monitor expiration dates, and reorder supplies as needed.
Monitor laboratory and field equipment and maintain daily equipment 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 within recruit training regiments.
Participate in annual training, site visits, and command-level biosafety inspections.
Perform other duties as directed by the supervisor.