Clinical Research Assistant, SOM/Pediatrics

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid leave

Tuition benefits

Retirement plan

Employee discounts

Well-being resources

Career development

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a Research Assistant to support pediatric hematology and oncology studies. You will help collect data from human subjects, assist with scheduling and recruitment, and perform routine data entry and cognitive assessments in a clinical research setting.

The role involves on-site work with hybrid options, offering a strong benefits package and opportunities for career development within the Pediatric Research Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in science or psychology.
• Proficient computer skills: data entry, word processing, spreadsheets.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; HIPAA aware.
• Experience in clinical research is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Subject recruitment and IRB-approved material placement.
• Obtain informed consent and assent from participants.
• Collect biological samples and conduct related data entry.
• Administer psychometric assessments and record results.
• Maintain secure study data and databases.
• Coordinate busy study visits and participant logistics.

Skills

Data entry

Spreadsheet

Database management

HIPAA compliance

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Clinical judgment

Education

BS degree in science/psychology

Tools

REDCap

Biospecimen collection

Job description

Advertising Summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located inthe heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’ssponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationallyrecognized for patient care and education.

Unit

School Of Medicine MBU

Department

Pediatrics

Duties & Responsibilities

VCU's Department of Pediatrics invites all interested candidates toapply for our exciting Research Assistant position! At VCU, we Makeit Real through learning, research, creativity, service anddiscovery - the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban,public research university nationally recognized as one of the bestemployers, VCU is a great place to work. It's a place ofopportunity, where your success is supported, and your career canthrive.

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package thatincludes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holidayleave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirementplanning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash matchprograms, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundantopportunities for career development and advancement, andmore.

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities

VCU's Department of Pediatrics invites all interested candidates toapply for our exciting Research Assistant position. ResearchAssistants perform a variety of routine, non-technical duties inassisting technical and professional personnel in a researchclinical setting. This position will support the Division ofPediatric Hematology and Oncology, as a member of the PediatricResearch Office.

The Research Assistant will be expected to perform most componentsof data collection from human-subject volunteers required formultiple bio-behavioral and brain imaging research studies. Thecurrent position is to help us with data analysis on completedstudies and subject recruitment and scheduling for active studies.The general responsibilities of this role are as follows:

• Subject Recruitment - Participant/research subject recruitment, including placement of IRB-approved materials and mediaadvertisements about research studies being conducted in thedepartment, as well as collection and computer entry of responsesand information furnished by potential research volunteerscontacting the lab by phone, web or other means to identifypossible participants. Scheduling of participants within protocolspecific time frames.
• Participant Consenting - Collection of informed consent and/orassent and permission from research volunteers, includingdescribing the study to research participant candidates in simplelanguage, and overseeing the signing of consent and assentforms.
• Data Collection - Biological data collection, including collectionand testing of urine and blood, saliva, and hair samples. Datacollection from neuro-imaging studies will also be required, aswell as vagal stimulation studies both from stimulating andrecording devices for heart rate variability analysis.
• Psychometric data collection, including administration, collectionand scoring of paper-and-pencil or computer-driven questionnaires,as well as administration and recording of computer-drivencognitive performance tasks.
• Maintain Study Data - Accurate and secure transmission and storageof study data, including to centralized databases or to physicallysecured case report forms for industry-sponsored clinicaltrials.
• Participant Management - Accurate calculation of subjectcompensation. As part of the assessment, the employee will beexpected to coordinate a busy study visit for the subjects,including escorting research volunteers to and from the differenttasks and testing rooms and waiting rooms of the researchfacility

Other duties assigned by Lead Clinical Research Coordinator orPrincipal Investigator. Most work is done on-site with potentiallysome work done remotely.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's of Science degree or equivalent in any of thescience subspecialties or psychology.
• Proficient in computer skills including word processing, dataentry, spreadsheet, database management, and entry levelstatistical/programming skills required.
• Strong interpersonal skills such as establishing rapport,maintaining participant motivation, empathic responding, ability towork effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, and abilityto use clinical judgment in (rare) emergency situations.
• Strong organizational skills, including understanding of HIPAAregulations.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environmentof respect, professionalism and civility with a population offaculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds andexperiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member atVCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting research in pediatric or adolescentpopulations.
• Experience recruiting, consenting, and carrying out studyprocedures with adult and youth participants
• Qualitative research experience, including data collection,coding, analysis
• Experience administering surveys in REDCap
• Experience in conducting mental health surveys with adults andyouth
• Experience collecting biospecimens from research participants,including hair, saliva, blood, and urine
• Experience in mentoring and training student research trainees,incorporating them into research teams

Salary Range

Commensurate with Experience (up to$55,000)

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annualand holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planningand savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunitiesfor career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status

Non-Exempt

Hours per Week

40

Restricted Position

Yes

ORP Eligible

No

Flexible Work Arrangement

Hybrid

University Job Title

Clinical Research Assistant 2,34002N

Contact Name

Jewel Jefferson

Contact Email

[e-mail]