Research Study Assistant

Department: MED-Ctr-Dissemination & Implem
Salary/Grade: NEX/9

Job Summary

The Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science (CDIS) led by Dr. Sara Becker is within the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) at the Feinberg School of Medicine. The central vision of CDIS is to bridge the gap between public health/medical knowledge (what we know) and public health/medical practice (what we do). D&I science is essential to realize the full impact of public health and medical research. Traditional, passive dissemination strategies such as publishing clinical recommendations, trials, or guidelines are insufficient for realizing practice change. Innovative, proactive strategies for increasing the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based interventions in community and clinical settings are essential for improving population health and driving health care innovation.

This Research Study Assistant (RSA) will support the Principal Investigator on an NIH-funded implementation initiative focused on promoting the uptake of contingency management (CM) within community-based organizations across Chicagoland. The research program involves implementation of CM, an intervention in which patients earn incentives for meeting treatment goals, and it is carried out in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Activities include communicating with CDPH and partnering community-based organizations via phone/Zoom/email; assisting with CM trainings for organization staff; outreach to research participants for completion of study assessments at multiple timepoints following study protocols; and listening to role plays of treatment delivery to provide feedback on fidelity. The RSA is also expected to help with the organization and maintenance of project documents and files and assisting the Research Project Coordinator with the continual submission of IRB documents, annual grant progress reports, and data safety monitoring board reports.

This RSA may have the opportunity to assist on other NIH-funded research programs, including (1)

a support center that helps projects funded through the National Institute on Drug Abuse to infuse implementation science methods, models, and measures into their work (RASC) and (2) a large pragmatic effectiveness randomized controlled trial evaluating whether a technology-assisted intervention can improve the outcomes of adolescents in residential treatment (Parent SMART).

The RSA will complete all activities by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all relevant current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Recruits study participants.
• Reviews & obtains informed consent.
• Schedules study visits with participants.
• Conducts interviews.
• Scores test results.
• Collects survey data.
• Facilitates communication with key personnel & participants to maintain project study flow.

Administration

• Participate in, organize, and develop materials (e.g., agendas, minutes, summaries) for internal and external meetings and site-visits in collaboration with study team.
• Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting & entering data; &/or preparing basic charts & graphs.
• Performs scientific literature searches in support of research.

Finance

• Submit for reimbursements for participants.

Supervision

• May train other research staff to interview/test participants.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to set goals and work independently to manage both short- and long-term responsibilities.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work conditions.
• Ability to receive and incorporate feedback into work products.
• Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Ability to compile and enter data accurately.
• Flexibility in scheduling of research assessments including sessions during early morning, evening, and weekend hours.
• Knowledge of computer applications, including word processing and data entry.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Proficiency in Spanish preferred
• Experience working in a clinical setting or with a clinical population (i.e., volunteer experience in psychiatric hospital, experience in clinical research lab, etc.).
• Previous experience conducting structured clinical interviews and patient assessments.
• Experience and familiarity with grant funding and IRB procedures.
• Previous research experience through academic training or previous work experience.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of experimental research methodology and clinical research procedures.
• Ability to use and navigate computer applications such as videoconference software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), reference management software (e.g., Endnote, Zotero, Mendeley), data management software (e.g., Qualtrics), and project management software (e.g., Google Sheets).

Target hiring range for this position will be between $17.05 - 21.31 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

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