Research Associate

Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, the Research Associate will manage an NIA funded, multi-year research project focusing on the prevention of elder mistreatment in the context of family caregiving to persons living with dementia. This individual will be responsible for coordinating daily operations and staff to ensure continuous study operations. This includes the supervision of all personnel involved with the project, recruitment of participants, and data collection. In addition, the project manager is responsible for maintaining all records and regulatory documents (e.eg, CREC, good clinical practices training) and in assisting with monthly enrollment reports, NIH progress reports and budgetary forms.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Manage and coordinate all aspects of the project including participant recruitment, scheduling eligibility screenings and survey administration, ordering and administering payment cards, coordinating with study interventionist(s) to schedule intervention cohorts, and REDCap data management. Communicate regularly with the principal investigator to address key issues in recruitment, retention, data collection and other applicable issues. Develop operational procedures and protocols, purchase equipment and monitor the study budget. (50%)

1.       Ensure integrity of the study data by monitoring appropriate adherence to the study protocol, reviewing online study screening forms for potential "imposter participants,” completing and/or coordinating completion of data quality checks, and preparing Data Safety Monitoring reports. Maintain REDCap databases and data code books. Create and maintain all regulatory documents within a regulatory binder compliant with CWRU requirements (15%)

2.      Supervise and coordinate all employees, including students working on the project. Write staff evaluations and provide feedback on performance as needed, in conjunction with the principal investigator. Coordinate and schedule team meetings and maintain meeting minutes and/or follow up “action items.” (10%)

3.      Assist with training/retraining the research team in all aspects of the research protocol. Monitor research team compliance with IRB protocols. Assist the principal investigator with writing NIH progress reports and write all IRB modifications, continuing reviews, and IRB audit documents as needed. Establish and maintain communications with research staff, the principal investigator, and recruitment sites. (10%)

4.     Manage a system for subject recruitment and retention with timely identification of problems effecting enrollment or retention and implementation of effective solutions. Coordinate recruitment opportunities with health and community partners in partnership with the principal investigator. (10%)

 

NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS

1.        Utilize a budget accounting system and work in conjunction with the principal investigator to conduct routine budget reconciliation. (4%)

2.      Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

 

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with the interventionist, research assistant, principal investigator and co-investigators; School of Nursing Center for Research, School of Nursing Finance Office, other faculty in department, to exchange information.

University: Frequent contact with co-investigators among university faculty, Office of Research Administration office, IRB office, university purchasing, budget, accounting, legal, information services, and human resources, to exchange information.

External: Frequent contact with recruitment sites at Cleveland Clinic and University of Southern California Department of Family Medicine; Contact with co-investigators outside the university to receive and manage requests for information from outside the university, including NIH.

Students: Frequently supervise students (BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD) in application of research protocols, data collection and practice of data entry occasionally.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervise research assistant(s) who will screen potential participants for enrollment, obtain participant consent, and collect data. It is expected that the project manager will manage approximately no more than 4 individuals, including 1-2 full or part time staff research assistants.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS

1.       Research protocol execution.

2.      Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

3.