Research Assistant

Job Description

Under general supervision, the Research Assistant (RA) will support the Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) Program and research studies and projects within the Institute for Health Promotion Research and Mays Cancer Center. The RA will play a key role in implementing community outreach and education initiatives, coordinating engagement activities with community partners, disseminating educational resources, and supporting participant recruitment, data collection, patient navigation, and other research-related activities.

Research responsibilities will include identifying, recruiting, and retaining study participants; assisting with informed consent and study assessments; reviewing medical records (MRs) to identify potential participants; collecting and reporting study data; maintaining study documentation; and completing required pre-visit and post-visit activities.

The RA will also provide navigation support to patients experiencing non-medical drivers of health (NMDoH), coordinate needed services with Mays Cancer Center (MCC) nurse navigators and social workers, and provide information and referrals to available community resources.

As part of the COE Program, the RA will support community outreach and education activities focused on cancer prevention, screening, early detection, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. The position will also support other research studies, community initiatives, and projects as needed.

Responsibilities

• Complete all required IRB, CITI, UT Health San Antonio, study-specific, and other required training in a timely manner. Maintain compliance with study protocols, institutional policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with research coordinators and the research team to ensure day-to-day study activities are completed according to study protocols and approved timelines. Responsibilities include reviewing medical records to identify potential participants; participant recruitment, screening, and informed consent; administration of study surveys and assessments; participant retention and follow-up; completion of pre-visit and post-visit activities; and Velos reporting and other required study documentation.
• Provide navigation support to study participants and patients experiencing non-medical drivers of health (NMDoH). Coordinate needed services with MCC nurse navigators, social workers, and other members of the care team, as appropriate. Provide information and referrals to community resources and assist patients in connecting with available services.
• Support Community Outreach and Engagement activities to raise awareness of cancer prevention, screening, early detection, and the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors. Assist with the development and dissemination of educational materials; conduct community education sessions; coordinate activities with community partners; and participate in community events, including health fairs, educational programs, and tabling events.
• Maintain complete and accurate source documentation and study records. Support REDCap data entry and management, assessments, data quality, and data integrity activities. Assist with evaluation activities and the preparation of study and COE activity reports for sponsors, regulatory bodies, and other entities, as needed. Assist with the dissemination of program and research findings.
• Participate in regular research and program team meetings, complete assigned tasks, provide routine updates on study and program progress, and maintain effective communication with the PI, supervisors, research coordinators, and other team members. Perform general administrative and logistical duties related to research studies and COE activities.
• Support other research studies, projects, community outreach activities, and program needs as assigned.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail by achieving thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
• Ability to monitor important and complex projects concurrently within a research environment or laboratory schedule.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, to include writing and preparing memorandums, letters, and other official correspondence.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other e-mail software.
• The candidate must have strong verbal and written communication, organizational, interpersonal, and multitasking skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• The candidate must be willing to maintain a flexible work schedule to accommodate participant and community needs, including occasional after-hours and Saturday activities.

Education:

• This position requires a bachelor's degree in science, health science, public health, or another health-related field.

Experience:

• None required.

Preferred:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is highly preferred.
• Experience interacting with patients and/or community members is preferred.
• Experience with research participant recruitment, informed consent processes, medical record review, and IRB requirements is also preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and REDCap, as well as experience with community education and outreach activities, is preferred.

This position may require the ability to maintain the security and integrity of UT San Antonio and its infrastructure per Texas EO-GA-48.

About Us

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence - advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Company Culture.


Benefits Overview

UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.


Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.

Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.


Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.

Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.

FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.


Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.


Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:

• Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
• Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
• Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
• Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.

Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.

EEO Statement

UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.