Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator

Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator

The Precision Neurotherapeutics Lab in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University is seeking a full-time Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator. The primary focus will be to assist with multiple NIH-funded projects to develop more personalized TMS treatments for depression. We have found an EEG biomarker that predicts treatment outcome to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in depressed patients. Using machine learning, our projects seek to maximize this EEG biomarker and improve the efficacy of this treatment.

The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with engineers, clinicians (neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons), and statisticians both within Stanford as well as outside institutions. The candidate must be organized, enjoy problem solving, be a team player and have strong communication skills. This is an opportunity for a highly motivated and reliable person to participate in a fast-paced, collaborative and challenging team. The ideal candidate would be willing to accept the position for 2 years, although a shorter time frame may be an option. This position will provide valuable experience in both clinical and basic research, as well as clinical exposure, which makes it an excellent opportunity interested in pursuing an MD, PhD, or both. Previous candidates have matriculated to highly competitive graduate and medical school positions.

Duties Include:

• Assist in regulatory document preparation for study
• Assist with the screening, recruiting, and gathering consent from study participants according to study protocol
• Contact and schedule participants for research studies and serve as primary contact from study start-up to closeout
• Collect MRI, TMS, EEG, and other psychophysiological data for clinical research projects
• Manage patient and laboratory data for clinical research projects through REDCap
• Assist in the design and implementation of software that allows real-time EEG monitoring and closed-loop brain stimulation
• Manage research project databases, develop flow sheets and other study related documents, and complete study documents/case report forms.
• Contribute to publication of findings as needed. Participate in the preparation of written documents, including procedures, presentations, and proposals.
• Help with equipment purchasing and general lab maintenance as needed.
• Assist with orientation and training of new staff or students on lab procedures or techniques.

About the Precision Neurotherapeutics Laboratory at Stanford University

• Our goal is to understand the fundamental principles of human brain plasticity and build trans-diagnostic real-time monitoring platforms for personalized therapeutics.
• We use an array of neuroscience methods to better understand the basic principles of how to create change in brain circuits. We use this knowledge to develop more effective treatment strategies for depression and other psychiatric disorders.
• Mental health is central to our well-being, our relationships, and to society. Unfortunately, mental healthcare is often applied in a one-size-fits-all manner, cycling through multiple treatments without reference to one's biology as a guide, leading to reduced efficacy.
• Through scientific and ethical rigor we seek to better understand the fundamental principles and develop new tools to quantify 1) how brain circuits interact, 2) how treatments change these brain circuits, and 3) how these changes map onto clinical symptoms. A deep knowledge of these will reduce the stigma around mental health and translate to targeted, personalized, and more effective treatments.
• The goal of our laboratory is thus to develop an environment conducive to team-based learning in order to train the next generation of clinically-informed circuit neuroscientists. We will be recognized for questioning the status quo with rigorous scientific experiments and will make important scientific contributions in understanding how brain stimulation alters neural circuits and behavior.

Desired Qualifications:

Strong interpersonal skills and highly motivated

Experience working with patient populations

Experience programming

Experience with EEG brain recordings

Able to work in-person at Stanford University

Core Duties :

• Schedule and/or call subjects for appointments; contact participants with reminders or other requirements.
• Prepare, distribute, and process questionnaires.
• Perform clerical duties in the preparation of regulatory documents. Maintain all forms and documents, including consent forms and master subject logs. File all appropriate correspondence.
• Assist with the screening, recruiting, and obtaining consent of study participants. Review medical records and/or perform telephone or in-person interviews to gather data, as needed.
• Administer standard study questionnaires and tests, score test measurements and questionnaires, and code data for computer entry. Perform quantitative review of forms, tests, and other measurements for completeness and accuracy.
• Extract data from source documents for research studies as directed. Collect data and complete case report forms.
• Perform basic measurements and tests on patients according to protocol, such as obtaining vital signs and performing phlebotomy and EKG, after appropriate training/certification. Collect study specimens according to protocol.
• Prepare, process, and ship specimens/samples accurately under well-defined requirements.
• Order and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Process study compensation payments and thank you letters to subjects upon completion of trial activities. Assist with post-study activities, as needed.

Minimum Education and Experience

Two-year college degree and one year of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• General knowledge of medical terminology.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Working toward certification(s) to perform basic patient measurements and tests, such as phlebotomy and EKG.

Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's License, if applicable.