Research Assistant

Description

Job Summary
 

As a Research Assistant reporting to the Project Director, you will play a pivotal role in the Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Systems (CNICS). This dynamic project is a leader in HIV disease management research, capturing a wealth of data that informs clinical decisions and management strategies in HIV care. CNICS stands out for its capacity to provide peer-reviewed, open access to evolving clinical research platforms, collecting validated outcomes, longitudinal resistance data, detailed Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), and biological specimens.

Your key responsibilities will include recruiting study participants for CNICS, obtaining informed consent, and processing, storing, shipping, and maintaining blood specimens. You will also be responsible for the administration of PRO surveys. Collaborating closely with patients, providers, and our research team, you will contribute significantly to the successful implementation and conduct of CNICS and its sub-studies, both within Fenway Community Health / The Fenway Institute and in partnership with external co-investigators.

This role demands a high level of attention to detail, organizational + communication skills, and a commitment to ethical research practices. If you are passionate about leveraging large-scale data sets to advance the field of HIV disease management and patient care, this position offers an excellent opportunity for growth and impact.

Essential Functions

Study Participation and Protocol Adherence Responsibilities

• Participant Outreach: Proactively contact potentially eligible study participants, employing effective communication strategies to engage them in the research process.
• Conduct Research Activities: Conduct research interviews, surveys, and study visits, demonstrating a keen attention to detail and unwavering adherence to specific research protocols.
• Survey Administration: Administer participant surveys, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data collection processes.
• Specimen Handling and Management: Process, store, and maintain blood specimens according to established protocols and safety guidelines. Ensure specimens are properly labeled and stored to preserve their quality for analysis.
• Shipping and Documentation: Coordinate the shipment of specimens to collaborators, adhering to safety and transport regulations. Maintain detailed documentation of specimen handling, storage, and shipping to ensure traceability and compliance with research standards.
• Confidentiality and Ethics: Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold the highest standards of ethical accountability in all interactions with study participants, fostering a trustworthy research environment.
• Study Design Assistance: Collaborate in the study design and protocol development process, taking into account funders' guidelines and federal HIPAA requirements to ensure compliance and relevance.
• Communication of Results: Efficiently relay lab results and other pertinent information to primary care providers as authorized by participants, ensuring all communication aligns with department policy and participant consent.

Data Management and Analysis Responsibilities

• Data Entry and Quality Assurance: Assist in the data entry process and rigorously check the quality of data. Proactively identify and resolve inconsistencies in data and data collection methods, and design effective systems and structures for file management.
• Statistical Analysis: Routinely generate descriptive statistics, forecast future trends in follow-up, retention, and compliance, and conduct additional data analyses as required, adhering to the highest standards of precision.
• Supervise Data Quality: Oversee the integrity and quality of data, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
• Confidentiality and Record Maintenance: Maintain strictly confidential records of interested candidates and study participants, ensuring data security and privacy.
• Demographic Data Management: Ensure that demographic information on research clients is not only complete but also regularly updated to reflect current data.
• Foster Open Communication: Actively promote open communication and discussion among team members about any changes in protocol procedures and other information crucial to the department's and study's goals and objectives.
• Standard Operating Procedures: Develop and regularly update standard operating procedures, aligning them with