Research Assistant 1

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $17.65 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.


Job Description



POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under moderate supervision, the Research Assistant 1 supports a NIH-funded randomized controlled trial testing a tablet-based emotion-regulation intervention to improve psychological outcomes among surrogate decision-makers for critically ill adults in the intensive care unit. This position is responsible for screening and recruiting eligible participants, obtaining informed consent, delivering the study's tablet-based intervention and comparison content, and collecting longitudinal study data through direct interaction with surrogate decision-maker participants in the adult ICUs at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, following pre-established study protocols and specific research instructions. This role collaborates closely with the research team to screen electronic medical records, ensure human subjects' compliance, communicate with clinical staff, and report data-collection issues that arise in the clinical setting. Through accurate, protocol-faithful execution of study procedures, the research assistant supports the successful and complete conduct of this NIH-funded clinical trial.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Recruit, screen, and enroll study participants. Following pre-established protocols and specific research instructions, screen the electronic medical record, including Epic, and coordinate with ICU clinical staff to identify eligible surrogate decision-makers for critically ill older adults. Approach families, explain the study, obtain informed consent, and enroll participants in accordance with the IRB-approved protocol. (35%)
2. Conduct study procedures and collect participant data. Facilitate delivery of the randomized, tablet-based study content with fidelity to the study protocol. Collect participant-reported measures using study tablets and REDCap at baseline and each scheduled follow-up. (35%)
3. Manage longitudinal follow-up and data quality. Track participant follow-up data collection points, schedule, complete follow-up assessments, and maintain participant engagement to minimize attrition. Enter and verify REDCap data for completeness, accuracy, and security, and maintain participant tracking logs and study records as directed. (15%)
4. Contribute to study procedures and quality improvement. Participate in study team meetings and report barriers encountered in ICU-based recruitment and data collection to the project manager and senior research staff. (7%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Maintain study equipment. Track and maintain study-assigned iPads, confirm functionality before use, and coordinate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. (4%)
2. Order study supplies as directed. (2%)
3. Perform other duties as assigned. (2%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with the principal investigator, project manager, and other research team members to conduct and coordinate study-related procedures.

University: Infrequent contact with other departments to share information about study or complete other administrative requirements.

External: Frequent contact with clinical staff, patients, and family members at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center to coordinate and conduct study-related procedures.

Students: Occasional contact with student employees to coordinate study-related activities.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.


QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in a health, behavioral, biological, social science, or related field and 0 to 1 year of research-related experience involving human subjects; or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of research-related experience required. Must complete certification for the protection of human subjects through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program within 30 days of hire.


REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Knowledge and understanding of commonly used practices, terminology, and procedures within medicine, nursing, clinical research, and/or human subjects research. Relies on specific research instructions and pre-established study protocols/guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
2. Ability to follow pre-established study protocols, IRB-approved procedures, and specific research instructions to perform the functions of the job.
3. Ability to interact professionally and sensitively with colleagues, supervisors, hospital staff, patients, and patients¿ families face-to-face, including families of critically ill patients. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
4. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and accuracy, time-management skills, and ability to follow through on assigned duties.
5. Professional and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with individuals within and external to Case Western Reserve University.
6. Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team; must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable, and able to take initiative.
7. Ability to work with sensitive health information and maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable university, hospital, IRB, and HIPAA requirements.
8. Ability to operate study-related equipment, including iPads or tablets, and willingness to learn and use research and clinical data systems such as REDCap and Epic.
9. Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
10. Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies as directed, to supplement work activities in accordance with university policy.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is based in the principal investigator's research offices in the Dental Research Building at 2124 Cornell Road and in the adult intensive care units at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, approximately 0.1 miles away. The role involves regular activity in the ICU, including screening, enrollment, informed consent, tablet-based study procedures, and interviews with surrogate decision-makers for critically ill patients. The employee must follow University, hospital, IRB, HIPAA, and infection-control policies and procedures.

This is a full-time, 37.5-hour-per-week position. The position requires regular on-site presence and is not eligible for remote work. The employee should expect to stand, walk, and move between the research office and ICUs for portions of the workday. The general work schedule is Monday through Friday, approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility to accommodate participant recruitment, enrollment, and data collection schedules.

No laboratory hazardous-material exposure is anticipated. Work in the hospital and ICU environment may involve exposure to infectious diseases or other clinical-environment risks, which standard hospital infection-control procedures mitigate. You may be required to use personal protective equipment, including a standard lab coat, gloves, and safety glasses, when appropriate.


EEO Statement


Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations


Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at View phone number on click.appcast.io to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.


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