Research Assistant

Our Mission, Vision, & Model of Care

At Union Community Care, our purpose is to spark equity through patient-led healthcare that welcomes and strengthens our communities by integrating body, mind, and heart.

We envision vibrant and healthy communities supported by inclusive healthcare that embraces each member’s unique culture, needs, and values, and emboldens them to make healthful choices that fuel their well-being and the well-being of others.

We believe in whole health. This means we address and heal disease but equally important, we work at the causes of the causes, the social ills that must be addressed to achieve true equity.

We listen, learn, and embrace the complex lives and unique strengths of our patients, and we work hard to break down all barriers to care. This means we look through a grassroots lens. We connect with our communities because we are our communities. Each of us is a neighbor, a friend, a family member, and together, we are a trusted community health center.

This position will report to NYU for training in July, with the first month being trained locally at our sites. This position will run from June 2024 - September 2026.

JOB SUMMARY

The Research Assistant (RA) will be responsible for performing day-to-day study activities at the performance sites. They will recruit participants, obtain informed consent, conduct research assessments, enter data into the electronic data system, and manage participant follow-up and compensation. They will also assist with regulatory and quality monitoring activities and other tasks related to participant management as designated by the Research Coordinator. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the RA ensures that all aspects of the project are performed accurately, on schedule and in accordance with human subjects’ research protections and Good Clinical Practice. They will also attend study conference calls and provide progress updates, as needed.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES

Research Responsibilities (75%)

• Participant Recruitment: Recruits and screens patients for study eligibility, completing necessary questionnaires, assessments and paperwork.
• Participant Consent: Thoroughly explains the study, reviews all study materials with participants, and obtains informed consent.
• Research Visits: Conducts research interviews at primary care study sites. Conducts participant study visits, including scheduling, coordination with other study team members, and documentation.
• Participant Tracking: Tracks participant flow through the study and updates tracking logs in an accurate and timely manner. Contacts participants to schedule them for study visits.
• Data Collection and Integrity: Reviews entered data, resolves data queries, and obtains missing information. Documents all data accurately and according to protocol. Confirms that all data entry is complete and correct.
• Documentation: Maintains study files in accordance with federal regulations. Assures that participant and data confidentiality and integrity are maintained.
• Protocol Compliance: Ensures that study activities are carried out in accordance with protocol, including but not limited to participant recruitment and screening, and participant research visits.
• Regulatory: Assists with preparation of research documents for institutional review boards.
• Project operations: Aids with overall project operations, as needed.

Communication/Presentation (15%)

• Establishes and maintains positive relationships with participants and study site affiliates.
• Demonstrates a commitment to foster inclusiveness and diversity though interactions and communications with others.
• Effectively communicates study protocol and research goals to study sites and other partners.
• Contributes to and works well with the New York Node and Lead Study team

Miscellaneous (10%)

• Participates in on-going trainings and keeps abreast of developments in the field.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in human services related field, or the equivalent.
• One year of experience in health care or human services related fields.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Meticulous attention to detail; organized, efficient, and able to handle competing priorities.
• Previous project-related work including prior work with study population, within medical setting/clinical setting, conducting standardized assessments.
• Prior research experience and some understanding of research procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In order to fulfill the requirements of this position, duties 1-16 are considered essential functions of the job.

ORGANIZATIONAL INVOLVEMENT

This position is required to participate in mandatory all staff meetings, team meetings and trainings.