Research Associate

Heluna Health) invites applications for the full-time (1.0 FTE) position of Research Associate. Bridge HIV is a grant-funded research unit affiliated with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the University of California San Francisco. Under the direction of Susan Buchbinder, MD, Bridge HIV has been conducting HIV and STI preventive vaccine studies, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) studies (including oral and injectable medications), and other studies of biomedical HIV prevention strategies since the early days of the epidemic. The Bridge HIV Investigators are global leaders in HIV vaccine and prevention science, epidemiology of HIV infection, HIV medication adherence, combination HIV prevention strategies, and HIV research training methods. For more information, please see

Under the direct supervision of the Medical Director, Clinical Research, the Research Associate will be part of a dynamic team conducting biomedical intervention studies (HIV vaccines, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and STI prevention).

This is a temporary, grant-funded, full-time, benefitted position. Employment is provided by Heluna Health. This position requires the employee to work Monday through Friday onsite, with some evening hours required.

Pay Rate: $38.03 per hour



ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Conducting Study Visits, Counseling, and Participant Education
• Educate potential volunteers about available studies
• Obtain informed consent, interview study participants, and complete detailed data forms
• Conduct HIV rapid testing and HIV risk reduction counseling
• Provide appropriate referrals and assist volunteers with navigating social services in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Conduct community outreach and education

Administrative
• Use computer scheduling software and Access database to schedule appointments and maintain updated participant information
• Participate in team and All Staff meetings and quality control activities
• Maintain contact with participants via phone/email/SMS text messaging and assist with a range of study retention activities
• Assist with participant retention
• Create study documents and participant contact documents as needed
• Provide additional administrative support as needed

Laboratory
• Perform phlebotomy
• Process participant specimens including blood, urine, and swab samples as necessary
• Process HIV rapid antibody tests
• Package and ship blood and other research specimens to affiliated laboratories

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Other duties as assigned

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
• Demonstrates strong commitment to anti-racism and health equity
• Experience working on a team
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Extremely organized with close attention to detail in a work setting
• Some evening and weekend work required.

Education/Experience
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in one or more of the following areas: Conducting interviews, obtaining informed consent, HIV pre- and post-test counseling, patient education, telephone scheduling, maintaining confidential medical records, preferably in a research setting
• Knowledge of HIV/STD prevention education with a focus on harm reduction
• Experience and skill working with diverse racial/ethnic communities, especially the African-American, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander communities, and persons who identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/non-binary/genderqueer
• Bilingual in Spanish and English desired, but not required

Certificates/Licenses
• HIV pre- and post-test counseling certification, or willingness to complete certification.
• Phlebotomy certification, experience or willingness to be trained in phlebotomy

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling / Fingering: Occasionally
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
• Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
• See: Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The employee is subject to blood borne pathogen hazards.

Evening and weekend hours may be required.

General Shared Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled.

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.

All qualified applicants will be considered for this position in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

EEOC STATEMENT
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.