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Position: Research Assistant II

Department: Infectious Disease

Schedule: Full Time
 

Under the supervision of the study Principal Investigator and the Clinical Research Nurse, the Research Assistant II will recruit and enroll study participants in a study at Boston Medical collecting samples from acute and recovered COVID-19 patients. The Research Assistant will be responsible for scheduling study visits, recruiting and consenting patients, conducting study procedures, collecting and reviewing data collection forms, and entering accurate data into a database in an efficient manner. The candidate will assist with the preparation of IRB applications, data extraction from medical records, document maintenance and protocol adherence, perform clerical duties such as supply inventorying and ordering, and track study participant reimbursement. Working closely under the Clinical Research Nurse, the Research Assistant will support any study procedures (e.g., phlebotomy, physical exams, etc.) in the inpatient and outpatient BMC clinic space.

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• Screens and recruits subjects to participate in post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV2 (PASC)/long Covid study, following approved research methodologies, to perform daily screening of patients in direct contact with hospital clinical care teams.
• Performs daily enrollment of participants according to study eligibility and study consent procedures, coordinating with patient’s LAR, hospital interpretation services, and witness for consent process as needed.
• Schedules appointments of study participants in BMC outpatient clinic space, following up with over-the-phone pre-visit questionnaires, email reminders, e-consents, etc. Interacts with BMC clinic space manager to schedule study visits.
• Coordinates with visiting nurse services to schedule off-site patient visits and maintains close contact with courier service delivering samples to the lab.
• Reviews the data collection forms for each participant for completion and quality.
• Extracts clinical data related to study from medical records where appropriate.
• Performs data collection and entry into a REDCap database; maintains clear, concise, accurate and legible records and responds to data queries as needed.
• Maintains confidentiality with regard to patient information and other sensitive information.
• Supports the Clinical Research Nurse with maintaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals and correspondence, including amendments and renewals as necessary.
• Adheres to human subjects regulatory requirements throughout the course of the study.
• Performs clinical assistance, working closely with the study’s clinical research nurse, including but not limited to collection of NP/OP, blood, sputum, urine, and stool samples.
• Prepares sample collection kits for enrolled participants, including sample labels.
• Adheres with maintenance of deidentified patient data and sample collection as required.
• Tracks and confirms sample chain of custody between hospital and Pathology lab.
• Maintains database of participant reimbursement for study participation (tracking and sending ClinCards, etc.).
• Remains in daily contact with Clinical Research Nurse to ensure case report forms, surveys, and data are complete for analysis.
• Tracks study supply inventory to obtain approvals for and proceed with ordering necessary study clinical supplies and additional supplies.
• Performs office-related duties such as storing study office documents and confidential study materials, scanning, filing, photocopying, collating materials, maintaining the update of study procedure manuals and schedules of events, etc.
• Participates in staff meetings/initiatives including appropriate quality improvement and education activities. Take minutes at weekly team meetings and tracks follow-up.
• 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.

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform other duties as needed.

Adheres to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.

Bachelor's degree in related discipline is required. Masters degree a plus.

Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in research or clinical program activities required. Knowledge of medical terminology required. Experience with recruiting subjects, with an understanding of the ethical and technical conduct of research.

Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.

Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of social, racial and ethnic populations.

Organizational ability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and to prioritize duties.

Proficiency with REDCap data entry and maintenance, as well as Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe Acrobat/Reader, web browsers, and statistical software.

Experience with statistical analysis tools a plus.

Ability to perform basic data management tasks (coding, data entry, data cleaning, retrieval).

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.