Clinical Research Coordinator C

University of Pennsylvania•Philadelphia, PA

20h•$62,000 - $62,000

About The Position

The Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center is seeking a Behavioral Health Research Specialist to support a clinical trial examining the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of a remotely-delivered Coping Skills Training (CST) intervention for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their families. Psychological distress frequently co-occurs with COPD, significantly impacting patient well-being and clinical outcomes. Designed to alleviate distress in outpatients with COPD and their families, the CST intervention draws from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other therapeutic modalities. The Behavioral Health Research Specialist will have primary responsibility for delivering the CST intervention, which will be delivered by phone or videoconferencing with patients and their informal family caregivers. They will also join and be an important part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving the lives of those facing serious illnesses including improving health equity and access to high-quality, family-centered care. Joanna Hart, MD, MSHP, is the principal investigator and provides faculty leadership for this team. Reporting to the principal investigator, the Behavioral Health Research Specialist will be instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the trial. The Behavioral Health Research Specialist will undergo training provided by the clinical psychologist who previously co-developed and has now adapted the intervention for this study. Their duties will include completing training to conduct psychological risk assessments; administering these assessments to tentatively eligible and enrolled participants; and ensuring intervention fidelity by recording select sessions for review. They will support additional study activities as needed, including recruitment, survey administration, and distributing participant payments. They will participate in regular supervision sessions with a clinical psychologist. They will collaborate closely with the study's project manager, clinical research coordinators, and other external health system partners. Schedule: While most of this work will be completed during traditional business hours, the employee will provide limited evening and/or weekend hours to accommodate the schedules of the participants unable to meet during typical business hours.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science and 4 to 6 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required, in a clinical, research, or behavioral health-related field are required.
Candidate must be open to working some evening and/or weekend hours as needed based on participant availability.
Candidates must also be very comfortable spending a majority of time working directly with patients and/or family members experiencing psychological or emotional distress.
They must be willing and able to conduct psychological risk assessments with these participants following training, and with ongoing support, from a clinical psychologist.
They must be detail-oriented, possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills—especially when working closely with diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals—and be highly organized.
Strong computer skills are essential.
The ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks to achieve collective goals is crucial.
Position contingent upon funding.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s of Social Work, Registered Nurse, or Bachelor’s in Nursing with a behavioral focus is highly desirable.
A native Spanish speaking candidate with bilingual English fluency is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Conduct CST sessions via phone or video, including during weekend and/or evening hours as necessary based on participant availability
Complete training for CST intervention and psychological risk assessments
Conduct psychological risk assessments with tentatively eligible and enrolled participants
Ensure fidelity to intervention by logging field notes, recording selected sessions, and reviewing colleagues’ recordings
Participate in regular supervision sessions with a clinical psychologist
Support assigned study activities, including recruitment support, survey administration, distributing participant payments, and maintaining required documentation
Participate in team meetings
Perform additional duties as assigned

Benefits

Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare.
You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.