Clinical Research Assistant

Mass General Brigham•Belmont, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ressler Lab in McLean’s Depression & Anxiety Division seeks to advance what is known about the brain, behavior, and symptom mechanisms underlying adult mental health conditions, including suicide, non-suicidal self-injury, depression, PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. The Neurobiology of Fear lab at McLean and Center for Suicide Research and Prevention at MGB/Harvard is seeking applications for 1 full-time Clinical Research Assistant (CRA) to coordinate and administer an NIMH-funded project (led by PIs Dr. Kerry Ressler and Dr. Rebecca Fortgang) aimed at using mobile devices to understand, predict, and intervene to prevent suicidal behavior among adults recently hospitalized on a psychiatric inpatient unit. This position is particularly well-suited for anyone interested in pursuing graduate study in the fields of psychology, public health, or medicine. The Clinical Research Assistant will be primarily responsible for recruitment and follow-up of participants in two studies that recruit across multiple hospital-based inpatient units within McLean hospital and Mass General Brigham (MGB). These projects take place within or are affiliated with the newly established Center for Suicide Research and Prevention at MGB/Harvard. Given the responsibilities of interacting with clinically severe/suicidal patients, hospital clinical staff, and supervising undergraduate and volunteer research assistants, strong interpersonal and organizational skills are essential. The role also requires a high level of initiative, autonomy, and follow-through; the successful candidate will be expected to manage responsibilities independently, proactively identify and address challenges, and seek out solutions and resources as needed. Experience working with clinically severe/suicidal patients and experience serving as a research assistant are strongly preferred. Writing, computer skills (e.g., proficiency with ecological momentary assessment [EMA; e.g., MetricWire platform] and/or statistical software [e.g., R]), and supervisory experience are highly desirable. Working under the supervision of a Senior Research Assistant, Manager or Principal Investigator and following established policies and procedures, provides assistance on clinical research studies. Supervisor available to handle unusual situations and regularly reviews progress of work.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree required
All employees must possess basic computer skills to use a variety of electronic or online systems for communication, clinical and administrative purposes.
Working knowledge of clinical research protocols.
Ability to demonstrate respect and professionalism for subjects' rights and individual needs.
Works independently under close supervision.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with clinically severe/suicidal patients
Experience serving as a research assistant
Writing skills
Computer skills (e.g., proficiency with ecological momentary assessment [EMA; e.g., MetricWire platform] and/or statistical software [e.g., R])
Supervisory experience

Responsibilities

Collects and organizes patient data.
Maintains records and databases.
Uses software programs to generate graphs and reports.
Recruiting patients for clinical trials, conducts phone interviews and schedules patients for visits.
Obtains patient study data from medical records, physicians, etc.
Conducts library searches.
Performs administrative support duties as required.
Verifies accuracy of study forms.
Updates study forms per protocol.
Prepares data for analysis and data entry.
Assists with formal audits of data.
Documents patient visits and procedures.
Assists with regulatory binders and QA/QC procedures.
Assists with interviewing study subjects.
Administers and scores questionnaires.
Provides basic explanation of study and in some cases obtains informed consent from subjects.
Performs study procedures such as phlebotomy.
Assists with study regulatory submissions.
Writes consent forms.
Verifies subject inclusion/exclusion criteria.