Clinical Research Assistant

Brown Medicine • Madison, WI

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the laboratory director, Dr. Carskadon, and the daily direct supervision of the project coordinator, the role of the Sleep Research Assistant (SRA) is to perform a variety of duties including form preparations, various recruitment duties, interactions with participants and their families, and other duties necessary to perform research projects. Other duties include work on research projects that will include direct contact with participants, e.g., preparing participants for overnight studies and working with the participant during in-lab sessions. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate RESPONSIBILITIES: It is essential that the SRA be comfortable working with and interacting with research participants and their families. Participants can include children, adolescents, and adults. Information that the SRA comes across and/or collects must at all times remain confidential and respected. Confidentiality, accuracy, and meticulous attention to detail are essential for this position. This full-time SRA position in our sleep research lab includes a variety of duties undertaken in performing our research projects. These duties include: attending study planning meetings, preparing and maintaining lab equipment for in- lab studies (organizing protocols, forms, supplies, performance batteries, and so forth in advance of study); performing the application of various polysomnographic equipment (EOG, EEG, EKG, EMG, etc.) while ensuring procedures are performed according to the research protocol; perform physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments in a timely manner; monitoring electrophysiological recordings ensuring the safety of the participants and integrity of the data (identifying and correcting artifact, documenting sleep stages and body position, and other observations in order to interpret polysomnographic results); downloading and properly archiving polysomnographic data following sleep recording; participating in data entry and error checking. Scoring sleep/wake stages and physiological events (eye movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing the Rechtschaffen and Kales (R& K) standards is another key responsibility. This position requires someone with exceptional “people skills,” in addition to enthusiasm, organization, creativity, and determination. This position also requires working efficiently in a time-sensitive environment, applicant must exhibit exceptional time-management skills. A flexible schedule necessary as studies often require working hours early in the morning, late into the night, and on weekends. Personal transportation is necessary, since the SRA must sometimes pick up equipment or participants from their homes. The SRA, although usually assigned to a specific project, also assists other teams when projects require additional attention. At times, orientation sessions or laboratory tours with participants and families may require extended or weekend hours.

Requirements

• BASIC KNOWLEDGE: Bachelor’s level degree in any of the life sciences.
• EXPERIENCE: Experience working with human volunteers and human participant recruitment.
• INDEPENDENT ACTION: Performs independently within department policies and practices.
• SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Assist in training of research students and summer apprentices.
• The SRA will also supervise research students and summer apprentices during in-lab data collection (ensuring that procedures are performed according to research protocol, supervise participant and tech interactions, monitoring equipment, and providing assistance when needed).

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with physiological recordings (EKG, EEG, etc.) is a plus.
• Familiarity with data/data file management, computer data management programs, and Macintosh computers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• attending study planning meetings
• preparing and maintaining lab equipment for in- lab studies (organizing protocols, forms, supplies, performance batteries, and so forth in advance of study)
• performing the application of various polysomnographic equipment (EOG, EEG, EKG, EMG, etc.) while ensuring procedures are performed according to the research protocol
• perform physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments in a timely manner
• monitoring electrophysiological recordings ensuring the safety of the participants and integrity of the data (identifying and correcting artifact, documenting sleep stages and body position, and other observations in order to interpret polysomnographic results)
• downloading and properly archiving polysomnographic data following sleep recording
• participating in data entry and error checking
• Scoring sleep/wake stages and physiological events (eye movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing the Rechtschaffen and Kales (R& K) standards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level