Research Assistant II, Nephrology (per diem)

Position: Research Assistant II 

Department: Nephrology Research

Location: Boston, MA

Schedule: Per Diem

POSITION SUMMARY:

The RA2 will oversee the administrative aspects of the grant and interact with study subjects, clinical research coordinators, study investigators, and other research staff. Duties include assisting with patient recruitment, scheduling study visits, administering questionnaires, creating and filing case report forms, entering and updating data, maintaining databases, running reports, storing samples, and performing other administrative tasks in support of the clinical studies.

The RA2 maintains contact with the participating sites to ensure complete and timely data collection, maintains patient profiles, assists with documenting financial and budgetary needs of the grant, and supports the research team with the preparation of data and other reports. Oversees work of Research Assistants, along with training and orientation. Develops and implements patient recruitment strategies and changes to study protocols.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the administrative aspects of the research study, including: managing program records and handling communication needs of the program.
• Provides assistance in the development of reports, presentations, and data analysis.
• Assists in data collection and provides feedback on study’s progress.
• Recruits subjects to participate in the study by using approved methodologies, such as, reaching to healthcare providers for referrals, visiting clinics, sending mailouts, using approved advertisements, etc.
• Conducts the enrollment of study participants, including explaining research procedures, and obtaining informed consent of subjects and/or their families.
• Schedules appointments of study participants; conducts reminder phone calls and/or sends mailouts.
• Reviews the data collection forms for each enrollee for completion and quality; checks work of junior staff performing data entry to ensure timely and accurate entry.
• Provides technical guidance to junior staff.
• Obtains and distributes payment vouchers for participant reimbursements/participation.
• Perform administrative duties associated with the study’s Data Monitoring and Safety Board (DSMB), tracking and reporting adverse events and collecting data specified by the DSMB.
• Responsible for all other administrative duties related to research activities.
• Prepares and maintains Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals and correspondence, including amendments and renewals as necessary.
• Conducts literature searches.
• Assists Investigators with manuscript and presentation preparation and research.
• Participates in staff meetings/initiatives including appropriate quality improvement and education activities, or if unable to attend non-mandatory activities, accepts responsibility to review meeting minutes and becomes knowledgeable of issues discussed.
• Makes independent judgements of suitability of potential participants for clinical trials.
• Develops and implements patent recruitment strategies.
• Recommends changes to protocols and evaluates data. Oversees work of research assistants.
• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital’s goals and mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree is required. Major in a field related to research is highly preferred.
• Master’s Degree is preferred (no experience required with Master's degree.)

EXPERIENCE:

• 2-5 years of experience and have demonstrated sound independent judgement and competencies in research methodologies.
• Experience with recruiting subjects, with an understanding of the ethical and technical conduct of research.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of social, racial and ethnic populations.
• Works well independently with limited supervision.
• Organizational ability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and to prioritize duties.
• Analytical skill and ability to resolve technical problems and interpret acceptability of data results
• Knowledge of management programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Access and PowerPoint. Experience with statistical analysis tools a plus. Ability to perform basic data management tasks (coding, data entry, data cleaning, retrieval).
• Ability to perform basic data analysis and reporting (in words, numbers and graphics).
• High degree of computer literacy; experience using quantitative data analysis software helpful (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Minitab).
• Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work with human subjects and patients in a hospital setting.
• Must be able to maintain strict protocols of all confidential or sensitive information

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS : May require flexibility to work weekends and evenings

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

As the primary teaching hospital for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and BU schools of public health and dentistry, intellectual rigor shapes our inquiries. Our research is led by a belief that skin color, zip code, and financial circumstances shouldn’t dictate health.

Boston Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to  View email address on careers.bmc.org or call View phone number on careers.bmc.org to let us know the nature of your request.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being. 

NOTE : This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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