Research Assistant I BWH Rheumatology

General Summary

As a member of the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, the research assistant will work on several NIH-funded clinical studies and health interventions together with the Principal Investigator. Studies are mainly anchored around the impact of inflammation on cardiovascular outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treatment response, as well as the application of bioinformatics broadly to clinical research. The research assistant will work independently and under general supervision from the study team members including a Project Manager, Research Scientist or Principal Investigator. The research assistant will coordinate and carry out study-related activities such as organization of patient recruitment, telephone follow-up, preparation/delivery of patient education materials, and data collection/organization for assigned studies.

This position provides an opportunity to engage in a dynamic clinical research setting and is ideal for candidates interested in pursuing careers in medicine, clinical research, or public health. Work will be performed on-site with in-person meetings with study patients and team members.

Principal Duties

Organizes recruitment for clinical research studies and identify potential subjects, following study criteria. Keeps organized, accurate, and up to date databases and maintains up to date records on all research subjects.

Contacts and collects data on subjects in clinical research studies. This may include the administration of study questionnaires either in person or on the phone. Undertakes drafting and implementation of questionnaires, surveys, interviews and other instruments as needed for research projects.

Codes and enters data according to written protocols. Recommends changes to protocols when appropriate.

Provides information such as recruitment and data collection details for manuscript and abstract writing, completion of progress reports, IRB human subjects new submissions for research protocols, annual reviews, and presentations (including preparation of graphics).

Contributes to writing progress reports, regulatory reports for institutional review board approval, human subjects' annual reviews, and development and revision of instruments, and preparation of graphics. Assists with the production and mailing of newsletters to study participants, development of web content, and online project communication.

Provides investigators with current references. Independently researches the literature and follows up on specific requests from research staff.

Communicates regularly with the PI(s), the research team, and the patients' physicians about all aspects of the research trial(s).

Qualifications

Proficiency in writing; excellent verbal and written communication. The level required would be that obtained with a Bachelor's degree.

Research experience preferred.

No specific license/certification or registration is required.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies Required

Keyboard/typing skills for data entry.

Must have interpersonal skills to interact effectively with persons with chronic disease in order to gain their cooperation in the research projects and allay apprehensions. Persons are generally 18 years and older as our division generally treats adult patients in the clinic setting and those persons are enrolled in research clinical trials.

Must be able to prioritize and organize work responsibilities in order to meet deadlines so as not to hamper the progress of the studies.

Must possess integrity to maintain confidentiality.

Must demonstrate accuracy in recording data.

Must be able to make independent judgments for the above mentioned job duties and responsibilities.