Behavioral Health Research Specialist

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Posted Job Title

Behavioral Health Research Specialist

Job Profile Title

Clinical Research Coordinator C

Job Description Summary

The Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center is seeking a Behavioral Health Research Specialist to support a clinical trial examining the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of a remotely-delivered Coping Skills Training (CST) intervention for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their families. Psychological distress frequently co-occurs with
COPD, significantly impacting patient well-being and clinical outcomes. Designed to alleviate distress in outpatients with COPD and their families, the CST intervention draws from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other therapeutic modalities. The Behavioral Health Research Specialist will have primary responsibility for delivering the CST intervention, which will be delivered by phone or videoconferencing with patients and their informal family caregivers. They will also join and be an important part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving the lives of those facing serious illnesses including improving health equity and access to high-quality, family-centered care. Joanna Hart, MD, MSHP, is the principal investigator and provides faculty leadership for this team. Reporting to the principal investigator, the Behavioral Health Research Specialist will be instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the trial. The Behavioral Health Research Specialist will undergo training provided by the clinical psychologist who previously co-developed and has now adapted the intervention for this study. Their duties will include completing training to conduct psychological risk assessments; administering these assessments to tentatively eligible and enrolled participants; and ensuring intervention fidelity by recording select sessions for review. They will support additional study activities as needed, including recruitment, survey administration, and distributing participant payments. They will participate in regular supervision sessions with a clinical psychologist. They will collaborate closely with the study's project manager, clinical research coordinators, and other external health system partners.

Schedule: While most of this work will be completed during traditional business hours, the employee will provide limited evening and/or weekend hours to accommodate the schedules of the participants unable to meet during typical business hours.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct CST sessions via phone or video, including during weekend and/or evening hours as necessary based on participant availability

• Complete training for CST intervention and psychological risk assessments
• Conduct psychological risk assessments with tentatively eligible and enrolled participants
• Ensure fidelity to intervention