Research Assistant - Addiction Medicine

The Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute's (HHRI) Addiction Medicine department is seeking an experienced Research Assistant to support the research being conducted at Hennepin Healthcare

This is an onsite position to work in downtown Minneapolis, MN on the HCMC campus.

The Research Assistant would be supporting two clinical trials (CTN-0131 and CS-1036) funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). CTN-0131's objective is to determine whether office-based methadone with pharmacy administration and/or dispensing or buprenorphine (BUP) results in greater treatment retention in patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The study will also identify implementation barriers, facilitators and acceptability at the patient, provider, and health-systems level for office-based methadone with pharmacy administration and/or dispensing. CS-1036 is a study investigating the efficacy of Wellbutrin and Naltrexone in reducing use and cravings for populations with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD).

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Research Assistant will screen, recruit patients, and determine patient eligibility for participation in study. The RA will also collect and interpret study data in an organized and precise fashion to maintain data integrity; disburse and track funds to study participants on a timely basis; provide comprehensive study support and contributes to successful project execution; and be responsible for protocol initiation, procedural adherence, and compliance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Screens, recruits patients, and determines patient eligibility for participation in study via patient histories, test results, medical exams, etc.
  
  
  
  • Willingly acts as a resource person to other medical staff regarding study protocol and interpretation.
  
  
  
  
• Responsible for protocol initiation, procedural adherence, and compliance.
• Obtains informed consent and administers and scores psychological, intellectual, and/or other medical assessments and tests.
• Obtains blood specimens by performing venipunctures, preparing specimens for laboratory testing, tracks collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection.
• Documents and consistently maintains detailed records and research data files.
• Assist with data entry, data cleaning, and the preparation of reports.
• May accurately disburse and track funds to study participants and book transportation.
• Collects and interprets study data in an organized and precise fashion to maintain data integrity.
  
  
  
  • Regularly schedules study related testing as required by protocols.
  
  
  
  
• Handle and protect confidential and sensitive data with integrity.
• Maintains and operates various scientific apparatus.
• Consult with PI and Study Coordinator on management of participant problems and concerns.
• Provide administrative coverage as an assistant to the Principal Investigator, project manager, and study coordinator as the need arises (general clerical: printing, copying, preparing correspondence, answering phones, inter-organization pick-up and delivery).
• Participate in Study team meetings

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Education/Experience:

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge is qualifying. Bachelor's degree is preferred or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four (4) years.

Skill, Knowledge & Ability (SKA):

Requires interaction with a diverse population. Perform blood draws and processing. Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic computer applications. Basic knowledge of research design, protocols, and analysis a plus. Previous experience with participant study recruitment a plus. Ability to work independently, be self-directed and motivated. Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills. Skilled in problem solving and keeping detailed records and files. Displays high standards of attendance, punctuality, maintains confidentiality, and manages time effectively.

HHRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer