Research Assistant- Clinical

Arkansas Children's; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkansas Children's Research Institute is seeking a Research Assistant to support community-engaged health research across projects, including digital mental health access via public libraries and the LINK program. The role involves coordinating activities with researchers, community partners, and participants to adapt programs for local settings.

The position emphasizes data collection, scheduling, and adherence to regulatory requirements, with a $21.70–$27.10 per hour salary and a

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field of study is recommended.
• 2 years of experience in lieu of a diploma/GED may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day management of assigned projects and act as liaison between study participants and investigators.
• Coordinate activities, scheduling, and outreach; attend meetings with investigators and sponsors.
• Screen and recruit participants; explain protocols and collect data according to study procedures.
• Collect, code and enter study information; maintain records and prepare reports.
• Assist in regulatory adherence and ensure data quality and audit readiness.
• Support lab recruitment and scheduling of laboratory tests when applicable; ensure safety and accuracy of results.
• Develop timelines for project goals and ensure deliverables meet funding requirements.
• Maintain thorough documentation of visits, procedures, and study materials.
• Communicate professionally with participants and researchers, upholding confidentiality.

Skills

Communication skills

Data entry

Administrative coordination

Interviewing participants

Research project support

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Department

CC038351 ACRI ACNC General Salary

ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S

IS A TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE. FLU VACCINES ARE REQUIRED. ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, PROTECTED VETERAN STATUS OR ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS.

This position has been designated as safety sensitive and cannot be filled by a candidate who is a current user of medical marijuana.

Time Type

Full time

Summary

The Research Assistant will support a growing portfolio of community-engaged research focused on making health and behavioral health research more relevant, accessible, and useful in real-world settings. Projects involve working alongside researchers, community organizations, and community members to understand needs, adapt programs for local settings, support implementation, and evaluate what works in practice. The Research Assistant will have opportunities to contribute across several projects and funding initiatives. Two examples are a community-partnered program expanding adolescents’ access to evidence-informed digital mental health resources through public libraries, and The LINK (Leveraging Implementation and eNgagement for Knowledge Impact), a core at the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute that strengthens research through community engagement, implementation science, and researcher-community collaboration.

Salary

Most new hires start between $21.70-$27.10 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

Required Education

High school diploma or GED or equivalent

Recommended Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field of study.

Required Work Experience

High School Diploma/GED, or 2 years of experience in lieu of a diploma/GED.

Description

• Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day management of assigned projects. Serves as the primary administrative liaison between study participant and Principal Investigator or other research staff. Coordinates project activities, scheduling, and outreach. Attends or facilitates meetings and other communications with investigators, research sponsors, other research staff and investigator staff members for the purposes of coordination of services to support assigned research projects.
• Performs implementation/active and close-out phases of the study and recruitment of study participants by implementing effective screening strategies. Schedules and performs initial contact with prospective research subjects and follow-up visits; understands and explains research protocol, consent forms and when applicable uses detailed questionnaires and/or assessments to collect data for research studies; monitors the information for eligibility for the specific protocol as well as accuracy and completeness prior to examination by the investigators and/or sponsoring agency.
• Collects, codes and enters study information into a database; assists in data compilation. Documents and maintains accurate records and study information. Prepares reports and summaries as needed. Manages financial records for dissemination and reconciliation of participant incentives (i.e., Visa gift cards and/or other non-monetary gifts).
• Interviews project participants individually or in groups. Interviews may be conducted in person, by telephone, via televideo, or by mail. Ensures that completed questionnaires are complete, legible and accurate in accordance with research protocols. Make follow-up contact with participants to obtain missing or questionable data.
• Spearheads lab recruitment efforts as needed and coordinates the scheduling of required laboratory tests and/or exams when applicable. Process samples for shipping, and perform any other procedures specific to study protocols (willing to learn phlebotomy for the collection of blood samples as well as other biological or environmental samples, as well as collection of vital signs if needed); Operates and maintains clinical research laboratory equipment to ensure safety and provide accurate results.
• Develops, monitors, and adheres to timelines for project goals. Ensures that deadlines and deliverables to relevant funding agencies are met. Assist Clinical Research Supervisor and PI in complying with all state and federal regulatory and institutional requirements.
• Maintains complete and accurate records and files pertaining to one or more research studies including regulatory and financials (study supplies, equipment, research participant incentives, travel, etc.). Maintain detailed records of research subject visits and procedures.
• Makes descriptive reports of research study progress and outcomes. Makes recommendations to investigators to improve research processes and outcomes. Assists in preparation and submission of adverse events, protocol deviations or variations and data reports as needed. Responds to internal and external regulatory and financial audits.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills; communicates accurate and complete information, maintains strict confidentiality. Demonstrates exceptional customer service and positive working relationships with participants, co-workers, clinical and management team, ancillary departments, community partners and stakeholders.