Research Therapist and Clinical Rater

Job Description

Job Description

Full Time Salaried Research Therapist and Clinical Rater

Seattle Neuropsychiatric Treatment Center’s (SeattleNTC) has a research program in which we are a private clinical trials site participating in studies that span the country and the globe, helping take new treatments (if effective) across the final line towards FDA approval and clinical implementation. We participate in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials, including devices, psychedelic, and non-psychedelic investigational treatments. We are seeking a clinical trials therapist to join our team.

Our research program is embedded in a larger organization that specializes in difficult-to-treat depression and other treatment-resistant psychiatric/neuropsychiatric problems. Physicians in our group are clinical faculty at University of Washington, have key roles in leadership in our field at the national and international level, and we are a teaching site for psychiatry residents from University of Washington, Providence-Sacred Heart in Spokane, and Billings Clinic in Montana. SeattleNTC offers a variety of interventional psychiatry treatments, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, including SAINT and SWIFT protocols), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), esketamine, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and ketamine infusions. Our services are key components of the network of care for patients in the 5-state region surrounding Washington State. We lead the largest ECT service in the Northwest, which is also one of the busiest in the western half of the US. Our five clinic sites provide a large portion of the TMS and esketamine treatments in Western Washington. Our focus is on clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care.

SeattleNTC has a growing research portfolio, including studies involving ECT and TMS outcomes, vagus nerve stimulation, psilocybin, DMT, LSD, and other investigational medications such as methadone and AMPA receptor modulators. We are seeking a Research Therapist to provide protocolized experimental psychological support to research participants on an individual basis in the context of approved research protocols. This position requires dependability, a highly professional demeanor, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and with others. This position also requires an evidence-based perspective and a degree of neutrality regarding whether the investigational medications may or may not be effective.

Our research department operates out of both our Bellevue and Seattle locations. Our clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. However, some research visits may begin at 7:30 am or conclude at 6pm.

Responsibilities:

• Function as clinical facilitator/session monitor (independently or as primary clinician in a two-person clinical team) to support study participants through clinical research protocols. When working in a two-person team, this may involve overseeing qualified and trained yet non-licensed support staff.
• Monitor, evaluate, and rate various activities of study participants throughout study visits while maintaining clinical equipoise.

• Provide education preparatory to participants about the possible experience of the investigational product, ensure physical and psychological safety during the session, and support the integration of the experience after the session in accordance with the clinical trial protocol.
• Assess clinical condition of study participants during sessions and communicate information to Principal Investigator or Sub-Investigator as needed to address emergent medical and psychological issues
• Complete mandatory trainings and regulatory administrative tasks in a timely manner
• Administer clinical assessments including structured clinical interviews (e.g., SCID-5 and MADRS), and other clinician-rated psychometric assessments (C-SSRS or S-STS, YMRS, CGI-I or CGI-S, Ham-A or Ham-D, and MINI)
• Demonstrate effective risk assessment and crisis management
• Practice acceptable ethical and behavioral standards of conduct, and promote and ensure good clinical practices, ensuring adherence to clinical research protocols
• Communicate regularly with research staff about current availability for scheduling research visits. Demonstrate willingness to hold time for visits in advance of confirmation that a participant is eligible to proceed with the visit.
• Serve as back-up for research protocols (other than primary assignment) as needed
• Assist with community outreach and recruitment efforts
• Participate in peer/group or individual consultation offered by SeattleNTC and clinical trial sponsors

Qualifications:

• Graduate-level professional degree and training with clinical psychotherapy experience in an outpatient healthcare setting and working on an interdisciplinary team
• WA State License - Current unrestricted professional license (to practice independently) and good professional standing with no history of suspension, professional misconduct, or disciplinary actions (Required)
  • Psychologist (PhD, PsyD), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
• Experience administering clinical assessments, especially in any research setting (Required) Examples of these scales include MADRS, CGI-I or CGI-S, Ham-A or Ham-D, MINI or SCID, and C-SSRS or S-STS, 50+ administrations of these scales.
• Ability to obtain and maintain sponsor-specific rater certifications as required.
• Experience in clinical research settings (Preferred)
• Open and flexible availability and willingness to accommodate adjustments to the schedule with minimal prior notice on occasion
• Ability to quickly and effectively build trust and rapport with participants and maintain empathic presence through possible periods of intense anxiety, confusion, and other emotions that may be expressed emotionally or physically
• Self-awareness and ethical integrity
• Proficiency in complimentary techniques (mindfulness, guided meditation, breathing practices)
• Excellent communication, operates with transparency and openness professionally with participants and research staff

Compensation:

• Full-time salaried role is available for an applicant with experience administering clinical scales in a research setting (2+ years of psychiatric clinical experience and 50+ administrations of scales listed above)
  • $95,000 to $110,000 per year
  • For a full-time role, position offers PTO, 401k, health + dental + vision insurance