Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under general supervision, the research assistant will plan and carry out activities for a clinical research trial that involves exercise and psychotherapy in patients with comorbid pain and opioid addiction. Responsibilities include but are not limited to patient exercise supervision, patient recruitment, patient retention, patient interviews, data collection and data management. Patient interviews, exercise supervision and other testing will be conducted primarily at the drug treatment centers located in northeast Ohio. The research assistant must be certified to supervise exercise and conduct human subjects\xe2\x80\x99 research. The research assistant must have excellent oral and written communication skills and possess strong organization skills, ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS * Plan and carry out project coordination activities including scheduling and conducting patient interviews and testing at the collaborating drug treatment facilities in northeast Ohio. May assist in developing improved techniques, projection methods or procedures. (20%)

• Exercise supervision and data collection and management activities per the study protocol. Conduct data entry, data coding and oversee data management including performing quality control to ensure that data is entered accurately and timely. May perform data queries, data analyses and manuscript preparation. May be trained and requested to perform certain data analytic tasks related to the in-person interviews and other data collected. (60%)
• Produce timely progress reports on recruitment, retention, data collection and other facets of the study as requested by the principal investigator. Assist the principal investigator with recruitment and help meet recruitment goals as assigned. Must have and continue to maintain human subjects certification and other credentialing as required. (9%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS * Implement retention strategies to ensure patient compliance in the supervised exercise intervention periods and patient follow-up phases. (5%)

• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with the principal investigator and other research study personnel, as requested. May help train new staff and potentially direct the work of students. (4%)
• May assist principal investigator with Institutional Review Board documentation and review as requested. (1%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily interaction with the principal investigator and other research personnel to maintain workflow.

University: Weekly (or as otherwise specified by principal investigator) interaction with other research staff and co-investigators.

External: Daily contact with patients for recruitment, scheduling, interviewing, exercise supervision and follow-up calls. Daily contact with drug treatment center staff to help coordinate appointments and testing at facilities.

Students: Occasional instruction to other research personnel or students when requested by the principal investigator.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No supervisory responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in clinical science, social science, epidemiology or related field and 1 to 3 years of experience in a health-related field required or an Associate\xe2\x80\x99s degree in an approved biotechnology program and 2 to 4 years of experience in a health-related field. Must have current certification in First Aid and Basic or Advanced Life Support. Must be certified to conduct human subjects\xe2\x80\x99 research and must maintain this certification throughout the study. Must be certified to supervise exercise (American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Specialist certification preferred). Experience working on clinical research projects at all levels including data collection and management is preferred. Prior experience with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise supervision, particularly in a drug treatment setting, is preferred. Prior training in exercise science or exercise physiology is preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS * Knowledge and understanding of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of exercise physiology, epidemiology and those applied to clinical trials research.

• Ability to perform patient exercise supervision, patient recruitment, data collection, patient follow-up and retention and data management techniques.
• Must be able to communicate important issues as they arise to the principal investigator, other research study members, and patients, as applicable, efficiently and effectively.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills; must demonstrate the ability to work effectively and professionally with individuals within the university and external to the university, maintaining effective working relationships and addressing the potential and current needs of study patients.
• Proficiency with basic computer skills including internet navigation, database management and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access). Experience with RedCap data management and NVivo and Matlab software a plus.
• Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through.
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain familiarity and demonstrate knowledge of project-related, departmental and School of Medicine priorities, leadership, and programs.
• Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate good analytical skills, sound judgment and good decision-making.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.
• Ability to rely on and follow instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
• Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face-to-face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Must have reliable form of transportation to travel to collaborating drug treatment centers in northeast Ohio. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds. Must be available Monday through Friday generally from the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for patient exercise supervision, interviews, and testing. May be asked to be available weekday evenings (approximately 5 to 7 p.m.) as needed.

Term Position

This is a Term position. They are treated like regular staff positions for medical and dental benefits eligibility, vacation, holidays, and sick time. Term employees are not eligible for life insurance, retirement, long term disability, short term disability, tuition assistance, layoff status, or severance pay. Staff in term positions are also subject to the performance management review process and positive corrective action when work performance or behavior is unsatisfactory or unacceptable. Term employment does not alter the employment-at-will employee status of these employees.

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Diversity Statement

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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Case Western Reserve University