Description

As a member of the Section of Clinical Sciences in the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, the research assistant will work on several funded clinical research studies in a team consisting of a Principal Investigator, study coordinators, data analysts and co-investigators. The research assistant will coordinate and carry out a range of study-related activities such as recruitment of new research subjects, regular interaction with enrolled subjects, clinical data collection/organization for several assigned studies and database creation/organization.

This position provides an opportunity to engage in a dynamic clinical research setting in a collaborative environment and is ideal for candidates interested in pursuing careers in medicine, clinical research or public health.

The candidate would be working on a smartphone application aimed at improving the timeliness of clinic visits in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Being led by Dr. Daniel Solomon, this industry-funded study works directly with software developers and physicians to ensure patients receive the best care when it is needed. Through patient-reported outcome measures, this app provides real-time disease activity and is able to track a patient's progress over time.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Performs study-related tasks in an observational trial of a psoriatic arthritis smartphone application that will include medical record review, recruitment, study visits, and data entry. Able to provide technological assistance/clarity to participants using smartphone application.

2. Organizes recruitment and conducts study visits for a variety of studies with focuses on various rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, etc. Keeps organized, accurate, and updated databases and maintains up to date records on all research subjects.

3. Collects and organizes clinical data obtained from the electronic medical record for a secondary data analysis of patients. Assists Principal Investigator and data analysts with literature review, data analysis, and creation of tables and figures of results.

4. Opportunity to contribute to the drafting and revising of scientific manuscripts, participating on co-author whenever appropriate.

5. Codes and enters data according to written protocols. Collaborates with investigators and data analysts to ensure data quality.

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

7. Contributes to drafting of progress reports, human subjects' annual reviews, and protocols for executing projects in accordance with proposed aims and methodology. Assists with drafting formats for questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and other instruments as needed for research projects, assuring ease in administration and accuracy of data entry.

8. Provides investigators with current references. Researches the literature and follows up on specific requests from research staff. Attends and contributes to study meetings and scientific literature.

Qualifications

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

2. Research experience preferred.

3. Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access preferred.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies Required

Keyboard / typing skills for data entry.

Must have interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients who may be potential study participants.

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 and protect human research subjects.

Must be able to pay close attention to detail and to demonstrate accuracy in recording data.

Must be able to work with other employees including faculty, research staff, and clinical staff.

Must be able to make judgments under supervision for the above-mentioned job duties and responsibilities.