Regulatory Compliance Specialist - Transplant Center

Houston Methodist; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist is looking for a Regulatory Compliance Specialist to coordinate regulatory processes and maintain documentation for clinical research studies. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience, preferably in medical devices or pharmaceuticals.

The specialist will address regulatory compliance, assist in training personnel, and ensure protocols meet FDA standards. Strong English skills and proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are required.

Qualifications

• Two years of clinical research, regulatory compliance, or equivalent applicable work experience.
• Experience in medical devices, diagnostics, or pharmaceuticals highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform regulatory processes like IRB submissions.
• Maintain documentation for clinical research studies.
• Assist in training study personnel on regulatory and safety reporting.

Skills

Proficient speaking, reading, and writing English

Knowledge and application of process improvement tools

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Regulatory Compliance Specialist position is responsible for coordinating and performing study‑specific regulatory processes such as local IRB submissions in compliance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy, and procedure developed by Houston Methodist Research Institute Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH). This position communicates with the regulatory affairs office for FDA submissions across multiple studies of different therapeutic areas and phases in accordance with appropriate regulations, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and study‑specific protocols/plans and processes. The Regulatory Compliance Specialist maintains documentation for clinical research studies, case report forms, and study and regulatory files. Under the direct supervision of management, this position addresses problem‑solving issues of moderate to complex scope and assists with internal departmental monitoring and research education as identified by the Manager or Director.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Experience: Two years of clinical research, regulatory compliance, or equivalent applicable work experience within an academic research environment or FDA regulated industry. Experience in medical devices, diagnostics, or pharmaceuticals and/or within an academic medical center setting highly preferred.
• Preferred Certifications:
  • RAC - Regulatory Affairs Certifications (RAPS)
  • CCRC - Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (ACRP)
  • CCRP - Certified Clinical Research Professional (SOCRA)

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Proficient speaking, reading, and writing English; necessary for activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and coworkers with a customer‑service focus and positive language principles.
• Knowledge and application of process improvement tools and techniques (statistical process control and team tools).
• Knowledge of regulatory and accrediting standards as they apply to performance improvement.
• Develops and maintains interpersonal relationships with a wide variety of healthcare professionals and hospital leadership.
• Defines problems, collects data, establishes facts, and draws valid conclusions to drive measurable performance improvement.
• Has computer skills in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and can enter, abstract, and use data to facilitate process improvement.
• Facilitates performance improvement teams, presents data, and promotes a collaborative approach to goal achievement.
• Works independently and interdependently; demonstrates presentation skills and expertise in designing and implementing educational offerings related to clinical quality.

People Essential Functions

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with key study personnel.
• Acts as a liaison between the institutional review committees, regulatory agencies, and investigators to ensure protocols are approved and supplementary information is provided timely.
• Assists in training study personnel and others on regulatory and safety reporting processes and procedures under direct supervision; serves as a resource for regulatory information and guidance.
• Contributes to improvement of departmental employee engagement scores (peer‑to‑peer accountability).

Service Essential Functions

• Ensures compliance of general and study‑specific regulatory and/or safety‑related processes with SOPs, FDA, GCP, NIH, and applicable regulations.
• Assists in preparation of research protocols for IRB submission, submitting protocol amendments, preparing renewals, and preparing necessary regulatory documents for sponsor submission; submits adverse event reports, safety reports, and notifies IRB of study closures.
• Maintains required regulatory files for all clinical trials to ensure regulatory compliance, meets with study monitors, and maintains archived documents on and off site.
• May assist in preparation of periodic reports for FDA.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Provides routine updates and reporting to the Manager or Director to ensure timely communication regarding the status of regulatory and/or important safety related issues.
• Performs high‑quality clinical review of regulatory forms and associated documentation during internal monitoring or trial review.
• Prepares and manages documents required to initiate investigational drug trials.
• Maintains a professional and credible image with IRB and other regulatory agencies, sponsors, vendors, patients, and coworkers.

Finance Essential Functions

• Utilizes resources with cost‑effectiveness and value creation in mind; self‑motivated to manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Seeks opportunities to identify self‑development needs and takes appropriate action; ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management and completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

Supplemental Requirements

Work Attire

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

On‑Call

• No

Travel

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No