The Johns Hopkins Pulmonary Clinical Research Unit is looking for a Research Program Assistant II to join our multi-disciplinary team of physicians, scientists, clinical and administrative staff, dedicated to research and clinical improvement in lung disease and management. Primary responsibilities will include leading subject recruitment for clinical research, screening potential participants, answering study related questions, scheduling and maintaining study calendar and recruitment databases, and data collection. Excellent communication and organizational skills are required, in addition to maintaining a high level of motivation and positive attitude.
This position will support participant recruitment, retention and data collection, including biological sample collection, for several Clinical Trials and NIH funded studies. The Research Program Assistant II will work with the Research Program Manager and other study team members to identify eligible participants, prepare and organize data collection materials for participant visits, conduct the study visits, and collect biological specimens.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Will help with recruitment efforts across different studies, will complete recruitment phone calls and screen to identify appropriate qualified subjects.
- Will read and understand inclusion and exclusion criteria for each protocol and purpose of the protocols.
- Will call participants with reminders of their appointments, post appointments to research calendars, and maintain logs of patient screening, surveys and visits. If needed will train new staff on these activities.
- Will be involved in data collection, data entry and data management functions for clinical research studies, review data input for accuracy and completeness.
- Will take lead on clinical screenings visits, ensuring that participants qualify for different studies.
- Will perform vital study procedures such as pulmonary function testing (spirometry), eCo measurement, anthropometrics, and collection of vital signs, bio-specimen collection and phlebotomy. Training will be provided.
- Will administer simple standardized surveys, clinical assessments and other data collection techniques to patients and their proxies in-person and via phone; record data on case report forms.
- Will escort patients through hospital during their research visit.
- Under supervision, will perform Quality Assurance activities related to research protocols.
- Will perform data entry using REDCap, OpenSpecimen and other electronic databases and computer software. Will use EPIC to order labs, when needed.
- Will ensure that proper written informed consent from each study participant is obtained prior to entering study; ensure that the original signed and dated consent from each study participant is filed in participants’ research record. Use the JHU Clinical Research Management System (CRMS) to document participant consent.
- Will maintain filing system for electronic and paper-based research records for each participant enrolled in the clinical studies to ensure compliance with HIPAA and IRB regulations and guidelines.
- Will collect data via abstraction from paper and electronic medical records and from administering phone and in-person surveys. Track and assess quality and completeness of data entry and abstraction; immediately raise potential concerns with supervisors.
- Will work with the Research Program Coordinator in preparing and organizing data collection materials for participant visits, conducting the study visits, and collecting biological specimens. Will maintain and sanitize clinic equipment and supply inventory.
- Will provide verbal and written communication, and cooperate with clinical and research staff and collaborators, to update supervising study coordinators and/or investigators on patient enrollment and data collection status, in order to achieve project goals in an efficient and effective manner.
- Will provide back up support for lab coordinator as needed. Will assist with bio-specimen processing, including nasal sample collection, PBMC extraction, plating nasal cell samples for cell culture, processing and shipment of bio-specimen samples as needed, and helping to troubleshoot issues and adjusting lab protocols. Also will assist with general maintenance of the laboratory, equipment, supplies, storage, shipping and receiving of specimens and transport of specimens if necessary. Training can be provided.
- Take initiative in anticipating and responding to staff and research subjects’ needs based on awareness of routine and repeated job functions.
- Attend regular research group meetings (weekly or monthly).
- Ability to effectively prioritize and work on multiple tasks with concurrent deadlines and demonstrate excellent time management skills and efficiency.
- Regularly update clinical and research staff, verbally and in writing, of progress with job functions.
Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- The ability to communicate clearly and effectively in many mediums: by email, verbally, with lists and phone messages, on the phone, and with body language. Communication also includes listening skills and the ability to follow directions and provide feedback.
Physical Requirements
- Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat sit, reach above shoulders, perform desk-based computer tasks, use a telephone and write by hand, lift, carry, push, kneel, crawl, sort and file paperwork or parts. Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
- Occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh 40 pounds or more.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
- Two years related experience.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- All IRB-required courses must be completed, and appropriate exams passed with necessary certification within 2 weeks of start date.
Classified Title: Research Program Assistant II
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC
Starting Salary Range: Min $15.50 - Max $26.00 HRLY ($35,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 8:30-5pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview
Department name: SOM DOM Pulmonary
Personnel area: School of Medicine
Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.
**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion .
Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at [email protected] . For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu .
Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/ .
The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
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