Neurology - Support Services Specialist (Genetics)

University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa Health Care is hiring a Support Services Specialist for the Charcot Marie Tooth Disease Clinic. This role supports research projects and administrative duties, offering valuable experience in genetic counseling and direct patient interaction. Ideal for those considering graduate studies in genetic counseling, with mentoring opportunities available.

Qualifications

• Excellent organizational skills and efficiency with time management.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of populations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in clinical communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage overall site coordination and activation for INC projects.
• Assist with recruitment and data management for research studies.
• Prepare communications with patients and families for the clinic.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Neurology is seeking a Support Services Specialistto support the Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT) Clinic, as well as the International Neuropathies Consortium (INC). This position will primarily focus on CMT research-related projects and post-aware administration of research grants, including communication with INC sites, onboarding new sites, and database upkeep. Additionally, this position will perform administrative duties related to genetic counseling, including interacting with patients and families with Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies, health care providers, researchers, and genetic counselors. This position provides valuable experience in rare disease research and multidisciplinary clinical care, with mentoring from a world-renowned research scientist and clinician, an experienced clinical trials research nurse, and an empathetic and passionate genetic counselor. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in taking a gap year to obtain direct patient experience, deepen their understanding of genetic research, and collaborate with patient advocacy groups before applying to genetic counseling graduate school. All six individuals who have previously held this position were directly accepted into a genetic counseling graduate program.
Duties to Include:

• Manages overall site coordination and activation as related to INC projects.
• Assists INC Project Managers in preparing for grant cycles.
• Participates in research operations for INC studies, including recruitment, data acquisition, data management, and human subject applications submissions through the IRB.
• Reviews proposals, ensures completeness, and routes proposals through proper channels.
• May handle purchase of supplies and materials, travel-related costs, and reconciliation of statements as associated with the CMT Clinic team.
• Assists the INC Project Manager in monitoring contract/grant terms and compliances in accordance with University policies and state and federal regulations.
• Prepares and provides preparatory or follow-up communications with patients and families attending the UI CMT Clinic, their referring providers, and genetic testing laboratories.
• Assists the INC genetic counselors with novel gene discovery protocol, including sample tracking, communicating with research genetic testing laboratories, and assessing large research variant databases for novel CMT-associated genes.
• Coordinates, organizes, and advertises the annual Neurogenetics Symposium hosted by the Department of Neurology, including communication with speakers, registrants, catering, and vendors.

For full job description, please send request to contact below.
Percent of Effort:100%
Schedule:Monday-Friday, 8-hour shifts between the hours of 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM. This position does not work weekends or UI-recognized holidays.
Pay Grade:3A –https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans Note: Expected start date in July 2025 but may be changed with approval from hiring supervisor.
The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives. Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent organizational skills and efficiency with time management.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of populations.
• Demonstrated professional attitude in regard to motivation, cooperation, flexibility, reliability, confidentiality, ethics, and personal development.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including communicating (written and verbally) effectively with clinical care teams, patients/families, and project researchers.

Desired Qualifications

• An interest in genetic counseling as a profession.
• Previous experience with direct patient care and patient research.

Please attach a resume and cover letter (under submission relevant materials) as part of the application process. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact Erin Curry at 319-356-7355 or [e-mail]. Additional Information

• Classification Title: Support Services Specialist
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

• Pay Level: 3A

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Erin Curry
• Contact Email: [e-mail]