TI Clinical Research Assistant, Pediatric Oncology

Department Overview

The mission of the Doernbecher Childhood Cancer Research Program is to advance the science and delivery of pediatric cancer care through a diverse portfolio of clinical trial opportunities, quality research, and collaboration. We are dedicated to finding and refining treatments to improve outcomes and quality of life from diagnosis through survivorship. OHSU Doernbecher’s division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (PHO) treats about 150 newly diagnosed cancer patients a year, with several hundred patients on active treatment and in follow-up. As a part of the Knight Cancer Institute and an active member of several consortia, including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and Treatment Advances in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma (TACL), many of these patients are given the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. Join us in Making Childhood Cancer Extinct.

 

The mission of the Knight Clinical Research Management (CRM) organization is to support the conduct of translational clinical research aimed at improving the lives of people and families with cancer by applying innovative strategies for cancer prevention, screening diagnosis and treatment. The support is provided through proactive, high quality and efficient study management in compliance with federal regulations and local policies and procedures. This fast-paced and highly intense research environment requires management of complex therapeutic interventional (TI) trials and clinical research studies involving a very vulnerable and sick population.

Function/Duties of Position

This Clinical Research Assistant is responsible for assisting with various duties to facilitate oncology clinical research on the Leukemia Lymphoma mini team in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (PHO) and Knight Clinical Research Management (CRM) collaboration. 

 

OHSU classification: Therapeutic Interventional (TI) Clinical Research Assistant (R03)

 

This Clinical Research Assistant will collaborate with the study team to:

• Assemble initial patient charts
• Courier and coordinate study related medications from pharmacy to the patient during their visit
• Facilitate completion of quality of life questionnaires with patient during their visit
• Perform electrocardiogram on patients during their visit
• Assist with patient data entry into a database or web based applications
• Collect data for case report forms and queries
• Abstract basic data from medical records, process/ship specimens, contact of patients for survival info;
• Order medical records for clinical trial reporting
• Assist in the maintenance of regulatory documents and obtain signatures.

 

Depending on experience, this position may also coordinate non-treatment-related oncology studies and/or oncology-treatment-related studies that have patients in active or long-term follow up with oversight by Clinical Research Manager or senior study coordinators. This position will assist the Clinical Research Manager with other projects as needed.

 

The CRA will be expected to obtain and maintain a working knowledge of National Cancer Institute (NCI), FDA, DHHS and other agency guidelines that govern oncology clinical research. Additionally, the CRC is required to learn the basics about the oncology diseases that their team manages and know how to apply this knowledge to the tasks they manage. The CRA2 is also required to have a basic understanding of the study financial lifecycle and how their work directly impacts this.

 

Given the complexities of oncology research and the challenges of working with a terminally ill population, strong customer service, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required.  Ability to clearly organize and/or adapt to multiple priorities and deadlines at one time is necessary.  Attention to detail, service orientation, and above average critical judgment skills are essential. Requires supervision; able to complete responsibilities with oversight; performs routine clinical research tasks (e.g., tissue sample management, medical record acquisition, specimen processing); some innovation and problem solving.

 

Under general supervision, assists in coordinating the details of therapeutic interventional research studies and protocol documentations, patient scheduling, and data collection. Assists in complex studies.

Required Qualifications

Education & experience:

• Bachelor's in relevant field and no experience OR
• Associate's AND 2 years of relevant experience OR
• 3 years of relevant experience OR
• Equivalent combination of training and experience.

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