Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant (Clinical Research)

Job Description

Job Description

Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant (Clinical Research) – Tucson, AZOverview & Highlights

• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM; Friday half-day dedicated to administrative work and charting
• Compensation: $130,000–$155,000 per year, depending on experience
• Experience: Experienced NPs and PAs with a specialty-care background required; clinical research experience strongly preferred
• Research Opportunities: Phase 1 and Phase 2–3 clinical trials
• Benefits: 4 weeks PTO, CME budget and time off, 401(k) with 6% company match, medical/dental/vision coverage, sick time, paid holidays, and disability coverage

Location & Logistics

• Work Environment: On-site specialty care and clinical research setting
• Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, with a Friday half-day reserved for administrative responsibilities and charting
• Travel: Interoffice travel may be required; company vehicle or mileage reimbursement provided
• On-Call: Participation in APP call rotation as applicable

About the Opportunity / A Day in the Life

We are seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) to join a growing clinical research team in Tucson. This position combines specialty patient care with participation in Phase 1 and Phase 2–3 clinical trials , offering an opportunity for an experienced APP to expand their expertise in research medicine and innovative therapies.

Due to the clinical and research complexity of this position, this opportunity is not open to new graduate NPs or PAs.

Monday through Thursday, you will focus primarily on patient care and clinical research responsibilities while collaborating with physicians, Principal Investigators (PIs), experienced APPs, research coordinators, and other clinical professionals. Responsibilities include evaluating and managing standard-of-care and research patients, participating in protocol-driven study visits, conducting appropriate medical and safety assessments, providing patient education, and maintaining accurate clinical and research documentation.

Fridays are structured as a half-day focused on administrative work and charting , providing dedicated time for documentation, research responsibilities, protocol review, and other administrative duties outside the primary patient-care schedule.

Depending on your clinical research background and assigned studies, you may participate in Phase 1 and/or Phase 2–3 research and take on Sub-Investigator responsibilities in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and research team.

Phase 1 Research APP – Experience Requirements

Ideal Phase 1 candidates will bring:

• 3–5 years of experience as an NP or PA in specialty care when accompanied by relevant clinical research experience
• Clinical research experience is strongly preferred, particularly within GI, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Surgical specialties, Urology, or Neurology
• Understanding of clinical research studies, protocols, and protocol-driven patient care
• Experience working collaboratively with a Principal Investigator (PI) and clinical research team
• Ability to manage the increased clinical, safety, documentation, and protocol requirements associated with early-phase research

Candidates without previous clinical research experience must have at least five (5) years of NP or PA experience in specialty care.

Due to the complexity of Phase 1 research, new graduates will not be considered for this role.

Phase 2–3 Research APP – Experience Requirements

Ideal Phase 2–3 candidates will bring:

• At least 3–5 years of experience as an NP or PA in specialty care
• Clinical research experience preferred
• Specialty experience may include GI, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Surgical specialties, Urology, or Neurology
• Familiarity with clinical research protocols, study procedures, or protocol-driven patient care is highly valued
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Principal Investigators, physicians, research coordinators, and multidisciplinary clinical research teams

Why This Role Stands Out

• Participate in Phase 1 and Phase 2–3 clinical research
• Work directly with Principal Investigators and experienced research professionals
• Gain deeper experience with clinical trial protocols and innovative therapies
• Apply an established specialty-care background in a research-focused environment
• Build or expand experience as a Sub-Investigator
• Gain exposure to gastroenterology, hepatology, liver disease, and other applicable specialty areas
• Work alongside physicians, APPs, research coordinators, and experienced clinical research professionals
• Friday half-day dedicated to administrative work and charting
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits

What We’re Looking For

• Experienced NP or PA with a strong specialty-care background
• Clinical research experience preferred, particularly for Phase 1 studies
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to manage medically complex patients
• Understanding of or demonstrated ability to learn clinical research protocols and study requirements
• Experience working with a Principal Investigator is highly valued
• Comfortable working within a structured, protocol-driven research environment
• Highly organized and attentive to clinical documentation, research documentation, and study requirements
• Strong communicator who collaborates effectively with patients, investigators, research staff, and multidisciplinary clinical teams
• Interest in clinical trials, specialty medicine, and research-driven patient care

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform patient evaluations, consultations, medical assessments, and follow-up visits.
• Manage standard-of-care and clinical research patients within established scope of practice.
• Participate in Phase 1 and/or Phase 2–3 clinical trial activities based on experience, qualifications, and assigned studies.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of assigned clinical research protocols.
• Conduct protocol-driven study visits and appropriate medical and safety assessments for research participants.
• Evaluate patient eligibility and clinical status according to assigned research protocols and scope of responsibility.
• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, study participation, and available therapeutic options.
• Collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator and other physicians regarding diagnoses, treatment decisions, adverse events, safety concerns, and complex patient needs.
• Coordinate with research coordinators, recruiters, and other study personnel to ensure research visits and required procedures are completed accurately and within protocol.
• Review clinical charts, source documentation, informed consent records, laboratory results, and applicable study documentation.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant clinical and research documentation.
• Assist with identifying, documenting, and communicating adverse events and other safety information in accordance with assigned responsibilities and research protocols.
• Perform applicable in-clinic procedures, including FibroScan, once appropriately trained and qualified.
• Participate in research meetings, protocol training, investigator meetings, and other study-related activities as required.
• Serve as a Sub-Investigator when appropriately qualified, trained, and delegated by the Principal Investigator.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
• Current or eligible NP or PA licensure in Arizona
• Appropriate national board certification
• PA candidates must maintain applicable NCCPA certification
• Minimum of 3–5 years of NP or PA specialty-care experience, depending on research experience and assigned study phase
• Phase 1 candidates without prior clinical research experience must have at least five (5) years of specialty-care NP or PA experience
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to manage complex patient populations
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with Principal Investigators, physicians, research coordinators, and multidisciplinary clinical teams
• Ability to understand and follow detailed clinical research protocols and study procedures
• Ability to complete and maintain required GCP and IATA training
• Strong attention to documentation, compliance, and protocol requirements

Preferred Background

• Previous clinical research or clinical trial experience
• Experience working directly with a Principal Investigator (PI)
• Previous Sub-Investigator experience
• Specialty-care experience in Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Surgical specialties, Urology, or Neurology
• Experience with liver disease patient populations
• Experience with Phase 1 and/or Phase 2–3 clinical trials
• Familiarity with research protocols, informed consent processes, source documentation, and study-related safety requirements
• Experience performing FibroScan procedures
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills

This Role Is Likely a Fit If You…

• Have at least 3–5 years of experience as an NP or PA in a specialty-care setting.
• Have clinical research experience or significant specialty experience that can translate into a research environment.
• Understand clinical research protocols or are comfortable learning complex study requirements.
• Have experience collaborating with physicians, Principal Investigators, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Are interested in Phase 1 and/or Phase 2–3 clinical research.
• Enjoy combining direct patient care with research responsibilities.
• Are highly organized and comfortable with detailed clinical and research documentation.
• Value a weekday schedule with dedicated Friday administrative and charting time .

This Role May Not Be a Fit If You…

• Are a new graduate NP or PA without established specialty-care experience.
• Prefer a general primary care environment rather than specialty and research medicine.
• Are not interested in clinical research or protocol-driven patient care.
• Do not enjoy detailed clinical and research documentation.
• Prefer a remote or hybrid position.
• Are not comfortable working on-site in Tucson.

Why Join Us

This position offers experienced Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants the opportunity to combine specialty clinical expertise with meaningful clinical research experience . You will work closely with Principal Investigators, physicians, research professionals, and multidisciplinary clinical teams while participating in Phase 1 and/or Phase 2–3 clinical trials.

For APPs with established clinical research experience, the role provides an opportunity to deepen expertise in protocol-driven medicine and potentially expand Sub-Investigator responsibilities. For experienced specialty APPs transitioning into research, it provides an opportunity to apply a strong clinical foundation while developing clinical trial expertise within a structured research environment.

If you are an experienced Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant with a background in GI, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Surgical specialties, Urology, Neurology, or another applicable specialty and are interested in advancing your career in clinical research, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
• Current or eligible NP or PA licensure in Arizona
• Appropriate national board certification
• PA candidates must maintain applicable NCCPA certification
• Minimum of 3–5 years of NP or PA specialty-care experience, depending on research experience and assigned study phase
• Phase 1 candidates without prior clinical research experience must have at least five (5) years of specialty-care NP or PA experience