Research Program Assistant II

We are seeking a Research Program Assistant II to join our multi-disciplinary team of physicians, scientists, clinical and administrative staff, dedicated to research and clinical improvement in lung disease and management. The Johns Hopkins BREATHE Center is dedicated to pulmonary health and impacting lung-related health and health disparities through research, community engagement, and advocacy.

General summary/purpose

Primary responsibilities will include leading subject recruitment for clinical research, screening potential participants, answering study related questions, scheduling and maintaining study calendar and recruitment databases, and data collection. Excellent communication and organizational skills are required, in addition to maintaining a high level of motivation and positive attitude. Position will support participant recruitment, retention and data collection, including biological sample collection, for several Clinical Trials and NIH funded studies. The Research Program Assistant II will work with the Research Program Manager and other study team members to identify eligible participants, prepare and organize data collection materials for participant visits, conduct the study visits, and collect biological specimens. This position will also be responsible for providing back up for the Lab Coordinator in performing general entry level lab duties, including labeling, processing and storing biological specimens, and clinical equipment and supply inventory.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Will help lead recruitment efforts across different COPD studies, will complete recruitment phone calls and screen to identify appropriate qualified subjects.
• Will read and understand inclusion and exclusion criteria for each protocol and purpose of the protocols.
• Will call participants with reminders of their appointments, post appointments to research calendars, and maintain logs of patient screening, surveys and visits. If needed will train new staff on these activities.
• Will be involved in data collection, data entry and data management functions for clinical research studies, review data input for accuracy and completeness.
• Will take lead on clinical screenings visits, ensuring that participants qualify for different COPD studies.
• Will perform vital study procedures such as pulmonary function testing (spirometry), eCo measurement, anthropometrics, and collection of vital signs, bio-specimen collection and phlebotomy.
• Will administer simple standardized surveys, clinical assessments and other data collection techniques to patients and their proxies in-person and via phone, record data on case report forms.
• Will escort patients through hospital during their research visit.
• Under supervision, will perform Quality Assurance activities related to research protocols.
• Will perform data entry using REDCap, Open Specimen and other electronic databases and computer software. Will use EPIC to order labs, when needed.
• Will ensure that proper written informed consent from each study participant is obtained prior to entering study; ensure that the original signed and dated consent from each study. participant is filed in participants’ research record. Use the JHU OnCore Clinical Research Management System (CTMS) to document participant consent.
• Will maintain filing system for electronic and paper-based research records for each participant enrolled in the clinical studies to ensure compliance with HIPAA and IRB regulations and guidelines.
• Will collect data via abstraction from paper and electronic medical records and from administering phone and in-person surveys. Track and assess quality and completeness of data entry and abstraction; immediately raise potential concerns with supervisors.
• Will work with the Research Program Coordinator in preparing and organizing data collection materials for participant visits, conducting the study visits, and collecting biological specimens. Will maintain and sanitize clinic equipment and supply inventory.
• Will provide verbal and written communication, and cooperate with clinical and research staff and collaborators, to update supervising study coordinators and/or investigators on patient enrollment and data collection status, in order to achieve project goals in an efficient and effective manner.
• Will provide back up support for lab coordinator as needed. Will assist with bio-specimen processing, including nasal sample collection, pBMC extraction, plating nasal cell samples for cell culture, processing and shipment of bio-specimen samples as needed, and helping to troubleshoot issues and adjusting lab protocols. Also, will assist with general maintenance of the laboratory, equipment, supplies, storage, shipping and receiving of specimens and tra