UNIV - Research Program Assistant - Psychiatry: Addiction Sciences Division

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The candidate will work with Drs. Amber Jarnecke & Rachel Tomko as a Research Program Assistant on a federally-funded research study focused on addiction. The candidate will be responsible for executing tasks associated with the research study protocols. Specific tasks may include: assisting with participant recruitment; data collection and management, including conducting clinical interview assessments; data quality control and maintaining study databases; assuring regulatory compliance. The candidate will work with adult participants, healthcare providers, community research partners, and academic colleagues at MUSC and many other institutions. The candidate will have exceptional organizational and management and be able to manage multiple tasks. The candidate must have exceptional interpersonal skills and be able to work collaboratively with research staff, remote site staff, healthcare providers, administrative staff, study participants, and community research partners. Drs. Jarnecke & Tomko have substantial experience in mentoring and supporting individuals seeking graduate school or higher education. Mentorship will be provided as needed.

Requirements

A high school diploma and four years of relevant program experience.
Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent)
Ability to work indoors. (Continuous)
Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent)
Ability to reach in all directions. (Frequent)
Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous)
Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Frequent)
Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Frequent)
Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Frequent)
Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous)
Ability to hear and/or understand whispered conversations at a distance of 3 feet. (Frequent)
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Frequent)

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in psychology, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Neuroscience, or a related field is preferred.
Prior research experience in a lab
Knowledge of REDCap data entry
Interviewing research participants
Conducting structured clinical interviews
Experience working with adults with addiction and mental health conditions.
Excellent verbal communication and problem-solving skills.
Attention to detail and the ability to work independently and assure accuracy.
Ability to work in dusty areas. (Infrequent)
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Infrequent)
Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent)
Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Infrequent)
Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Infrequent)
Ability to work outdoors in all weather and temperature extremes. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 36 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 36 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent)

Responsibilities

Oversight of data collection with research participants: Must be familiar with research study protocols; Conducts clinical assessments, collection of self-report surveys, biospecimens, mobile activity monitoring, and careful assessments of environment, psychopathological symptoms, substance use, and social functioning with participants in-person, via remote video conference, and via phone; Assists in navigating and problem solving the use of technology for data collection purposes; Understands and executes emergency procedures.
Acts as a research representative of the research studies: Manages recruitment platforms; Describes study procedures, goals, assessment tasks, confidentiality limitations and potential risks thoroughly to participants; Answers participant questions; Obtains informed consent from participants; Conducts participant debriefing at the end of study visits; Maintains required documentation and record keeping.
Performs various lab support tasks to ensure compliance and lab organization: Performs data entry and maintains data files on research; Cleans study databases; Ensures regulatory compliance.
Schedules and communicates with research participants, study team members, and colleagues: Including on-site visits, video conferencing assessments, and phone interviews; Utilizes multiple calendars for scheduling; Answers questions that come through studies’ phone and email systems; Refers participants to resources available in community and social services.