Research Assistant II, Nephrology (per diem)

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The RA2 will oversee the administrative aspects of the grant and interact with study subjects, clinical research coordinators, study investigators, and other research staff. Duties include assisting with patient recruitment, scheduling study visits, administering questionnaires, creating and filing case report forms, entering and updating data, maintaining databases, running reports, storing samples, and performing other administrative tasks in support of the clinical studies. The RA2 maintains contact with the participating sites to ensure complete and timely data collection, maintains patient profiles, assists with documenting financial and budgetary needs of the grant, and supports the research team with the preparation of data and other reports. Oversees work of Research Assistants, along with training and orientation. Develops and implements patient recruitment strategies and changes to study protocols.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree is required.
2-5 years of experience and have demonstrated sound independent judgement and competencies in research methodologies.
Experience with recruiting subjects, with an understanding of the ethical and technical conduct of research.
Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of social, racial and ethnic populations.
Works well independently with limited supervision.
Organizational ability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and to prioritize duties.
Analytical skill and ability to resolve technical problems and interpret acceptability of data results
Knowledge of management programs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Access and PowerPoint.
Ability to perform basic data management tasks (coding, data entry, data cleaning, retrieval).
Ability to perform basic data analysis and reporting (in words, numbers and graphics).
High degree of computer literacy; experience using quantitative data analysis software helpful (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Minitab).
Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work with human subjects and patients in a hospital setting.
Must be able to maintain strict protocols of all confidential or sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

Major in a field related to research is highly preferred.
Master’s Degree is preferred (no experience required with Master's degree.)
Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.
Experience with statistical analysis tools a plus.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the administrative aspects of the research study, including: managing program records and handling communication needs of the program.
Provides assistance in the development of reports, presentations, and data analysis.
Assists in data collection and provides feedback on study’s progress.
Recruits subjects to participate in the study by using approved methodologies, such as, reaching to healthcare providers for referrals, visiting clinics, sending mailouts, using approved advertisements, etc.
Conducts the enrollment of study participants, including explaining research procedures, and obtaining informed consent of subjects and/or their families.
Schedules appointments of study participants; conducts reminder phone calls and/or sends mailouts.
Reviews the data collection forms for each enrollee for completion and quality; checks work of junior staff performing data entry to ensure timely and accurate entry.
Provides technical guidance to junior staff.
Obtains and distributes payment vouchers for participant reimbursements/participation.
Perform administrative duties associated with the study’s Data Monitoring and Safety Board (DSMB), tracking and reporting adverse events and collecting data specified by the DSMB.
Responsible for all other administrative duties related to research activities.
Prepares and maintains Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals and correspondence, including amendments and renewals as necessary.
Conducts literature searches.
Assists Investigators with manuscript and presentation preparation and research.
Participates in staff meetings/initiatives including appropriate quality improvement and education activities, or if unable to attend non-mandatory activities, accepts responsibility to review meeting minutes and becomes knowledgeable of issues discussed.
Makes independent judgements of suitability of potential participants for clinical trials.
Develops and implements patent recruitment strategies.
Recommends changes to protocols and evaluates data.
Oversees work of research assistants.
Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital’s goals and mission.
Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.