Bilingual Research Assistant 2

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our research team is currently conducting multiple ongoing community-based randomized trials for childhood obesity prevention and treatment among low-income and minority populations. The Research Assistant II position is an essential member of the team, who will have the opportunity to support multiple ongoing studies. The primary responsibilities will include collecting data from participating patient-families, clinic partners, interventionists, and medical records. The Research Assistant II will also assist with recruitment and retention of participants and obtain informed consent/assent. Data collection will likely occur in multiple settings, including clinic-based survey administration, phone-based interviews, and community-based data collection. The dynamic nature of clinical research means that this position will have the opportunity to assist in other laboratory and research functions as they arise. A background/interest in community-based and behavioral research is a must. Working and communicating within a team environment is crucial to the success of this position and flexibility is a key attribute. Because we work to meet families where they are, recruitment and data collection may take place in the evenings or during the weekend in the local community context, which will require scheduling flexibility and reliable transportation. Must possess bilingual proficiency or native fluency in Spanish.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience)
2 years of experience
Reliable transportation to travel to different locations to Middle TN (mileage will be reimbursed)
Bilingual Spanish English

Nice To Haves

Background/interest in community-based and behavioral research
Flexibility is a key attribute
Scheduling flexibility

Responsibilities

Independently conducts high-quality qualitative and quantitative data collection activities across active studies.
Leads participant recruitment, consent, and follow-up activities with minimal supervision.
Builds rapport with participants to support retention, engagement, and completion of study visits.
Ensures accurate and complete documentation of study activities in accordance with protocol requirements.
Identifies and resolves routine participant and workflow challenges in real time.
Serves as a lead member of the data collection team, supporting day-to-day coordination of study activities.
Assists with scheduling data collection activities and adjusting plans to meet enrollment and staffing needs.
Provides guidance to other research assistants during data collection, helps with troubleshooting issues, and maintains consistency.
Acts as a point of support for problem solving related to participant availability, protocol, coordination, and fieldwork challenges.
Elevates issues appropriately while independently implementing practical solutions when possible.
Demonstrates strong ownership of assigned study tasks, requiring less direct supervision than an entry-level research assistant.
Anticipates study needs and proactively communicates potential challenges or solutions to the project team.
Ensures readiness for data collection by confirming materials, schedules, and participant communication in advance.
Supports smooth implementation of study protocols through reliability and consistent follow-through.
Contributes to maintaining momentum during high-volume or time-sensitive data collection periods.
Maintains a high standard of data quality through careful review of collected data and documentation.
Identifies missing or inconsistent data and takes corrective action or escalates concerns appropriately.
Ensures adherence to IRB-approved protocols, consent procedures, and study guidelines.
Models best practices in ethical research conduct and participant interaction for other team members.
Communicates clearly and effectively with supervisors and team members regarding study progress and challenges.
Shares insights from fieldwork to support continuous improvement in recruitment and data collection strategies.
Assists with onboarding or informal mentoring of newer research assistants as needed.
Contributes to a collaborative team environment that supports efficient and high-quality research execution.