The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is a complex academic and clinical department in the School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, which include the UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Valley Medical, and VA Hospital. The Department includes rehabilitation physicians, clinical and neuro psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, prosthetics & orthotics, speech pathologists, and rehabilitation counseling. The department has four degree programs and extensive research programs with over $11 million in grants per year.
We have an outstanding opportunity for a RESEARCH STUDY ASSISTANT. Research investigators are currently seeking a highly motivated, interpersonally skilled and organized individual to join a research team for new and ongoing research studies developing interventions and examining outcomes following spinal cord injury (SCI). One study examines long-term outcomes of SCI. Another examines the effectiveness of an non-pharmacological intervention for SCI pain during inpatient rehabilitation, while a third study examines an early exercise intervention during inpatient rehabilitation for SCI. Both studies take place on the rehabilitation unit at Harborview Medical Center. In addition, this position will assist with our SCI education programs. This is a great opportunity to obtain valuable experience in a research and educational setting. Job responsibilities will include the following:
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Subject Screening and Recruitment 35%
Serve as a primary contact for study participants; explain purpose of research study and protocols. Explain study parameters and obtain informed consent. Conduct screening interviews, determine eligibility. Prescreening interviews will include demographic, medical, mental health, and other variables. Work with staff to facilitate subject recruitment. Gather and compile data.
Conducting Follow-up and Outcome Assessments 25%
Schedule and conduct structured interviews with participants either over the telephone, in person, or facilitate online completion. Interviews will assess pain, depression, physical activity, physical symptoms, medical care, medication use and quality of life indicators. Achieve a high retention rate while also avoiding coercion. Follow approved human subjects protocols for these functions. Track down patients who have become unreachable. Inform clients and participants about the study. Maintain confidentiality of subject records. Notify appropriate research personnel regarding problems or complications reported by subjects. Assist in problem-solving subject retention problems
SCI Education Programs 25%
Coordination of the SCI Forum (education lecture and discussion series) and other educational programs/events. This includes but is not limited to scheduling rooms, coordinationg speakers, panelists, videographers, and materials, assisting with website postings, program announcements, CEU’s for therapists, and evaluation surveys. Posting and announcing new educational resources such as SCI videos, podcasts, and research studies. Coordination of consumer advisory board.
Data Entry and QC Checking 5%
Enter the correct data from the interviews into the MS Access, Excel or online databases. Conduct data verification and quality checks. Run periodic quality assurance checks and missing data assessments.
Communication with Project Personnel 5%
Notify appropriate research personnel regarding problems or complications reported by subjects. Monitor adherence to study protocol. Inform research coordinator or investigators of and/or take action to correct deviations from study protocol. Attend project meetings, collect and distribute meeting minutes (if assigned). Provide project personnel with progress reports as requested.
Other 5%
Perform related duties as needed. Other duties may include, but are not limited to, preparing miscellaneous letters, reports, meeting agendas, etc. using Microsoft Word; ordering supplies, copying, filing, library searches, running minor analyses, responding to public inquiries, responding to copyright issues, among other activities.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Two years of college level course work in a relevant academic area AND one year of appropriate experience OR equivalent education/experience.
Additional Requirements
Strong written communication skills.
Strong verbal communication abilities; comfort and skill communicating over the telephone with individuals who have physical disabilities, pain, and may have other forms of physical and/or psychological distress.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; ability to work on and manage multiple ongoing tasks and projects..
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office.
Experience conducting research interviews or assessments via telephone.
Desired
Experience with research and clinical trials.
Experience working with people with chronic medical conditions.
Experience with video/audio editing for website content (podcasts/videos).
This position will work with clinical research involving human subjects within UW Medicine. Subsequently Good Clinical Practice (GCP), HIPAA, Data Security and Privacy and other pertinent trainings are required. The training requirement for this position includes UW Medicine-specific as well as general training.
Conditions of Employment
Generally work 8 hours per day, 5 days per week during normal business hours.
Ocassional evening or weekend hours for educational programs or to complete telephone interviews to accommodate subjects’ schedules.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.