BioMER Research Assistant - Cancer Center

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa is seeking a BioMER Research Assistant to serve as a member of the Biospecimen Procurement and Molecular Epidemiology Resource’s (BioMER) Translational Research team. Supporting translational/observational study subject recruitment, data abstraction and related project activities at the University of Iowa’s Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Individual in this role will work with team to facilitate activities related to scheduling patients for ‘Research Consultations,’ approaching patients for consent to a variety of research protocols and abstracting related data from the Electronic Health Record for BioMER managed studies including multi-center collaborations and registries. Additional activities may support collection, processing and storage of research specimens as needed. 

Duties to include:

• Create, populate, maintain, and enhance multiple databases containing clinical and research information obtained through the review of patient charts and samples, lab reports and other related information in a manner that complies with IRB requirements and research needs.

• Consult with translational staff and researchers in development of data management plan.

• Assist in the development of electronic data capture forms to facilitate abstraction of required data for assigned projects.

• Perform data abstraction, criteria-specific or focused chart review per project protocol for on-going and ad-hoc studies as directed.

• Work with team to carry-out strategies to update and refine both legacy and prospectively entered data.

• Assist in judging validity of data; making recommendations for change as opportunities for improvement are identified in close collaboration with the translational staff and investigators.

• Assist in coordinating collection and processing of biospecimens as needed, including communication with internal and external labs.

• Assist in the design, development, and execution and specimen processes for protocols and clinical studies.

• Assist in the preparation of data summaries and other information for use by faculty and staff in preparation for reports, publications or presentations.

• Attend protocol meetings and other UIHC meetings as appropriate and related to the BioMER and related activities.

• Conduct, and monitor patient informed consent to ensure compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulations.

• Meet one-on-one with patients to complete consent process, maintaining confidentiality, goodwill, and sensitivity.

• Participate in determination of patient eligibility for participation in translational studies.

• Work with Lead Consent Coordinator to monitor consent flow and provide regular updates to relevant staff including clinic, intake, physicians/providers, specimen procurement and research team members.

• Collect and enter required subject enrollment and screening data in required data collection tools including EPIC, Labmatrix, REDCap, OnCore and other study related databases.

• Consult with managers, staff and physicians to support improvement activities and organizational initiatives.

• Performs additional task, special functions and/or special projects as assigned

Enrollment Focused Role

Data Management Focused Role

≥ 75 % Consent related activities

   15 % Data and spe