Clinical Research Assistant

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title

Clinical Research Assistant

Department

VGH Research Group Support Division of Cardiology | Department of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$4,333.86 - $5,155.61 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

November 24, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Dec 1, 2025

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Cardiology Research Assistant is to support the activities related to the clinical research conducted by the research group based on complex technical tasks demonstrated by formal training and experience. This is a 0.8 FTE position.

Organizational Status:

Director of Research --> Investigator and Attending Cardiologists --> Research Manager --> Research Coordinator--> Research Assistants, Clerical Staff, Students

Work Performed

- Maintains patient confidentiality.

- Schedules patient study visits with research staff and cardiologist (when applicable), and books appropriate diagnostic tests.

- Plans and performs experiments, utilizing complex procedures or techniques; troubleshoots problems; collects, records, analyses and interprets experiment results.

- Assists in the planning, organizing and delivery of multiple concurrent clinical trials in accordance with study requirements and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). This includes assisting with: implementing study protocols; assisting in ethics submissions (renewals and amendments) and communicating and coordinating clinical trial activity with nursing staff, research team and representatives on PI's behalf.

- Participates in developing and evaluating strategies to meet the clinical trial goals and objectives, overseeing project progress and ensuring enrolment expectations are met.
- Implements recruitment strategies; coordinates and conducts patient recruitment into suitable studies.
- Develops tools to aid in protocol implementation including creating source documents and checklists, and designing case report forms and test worksheets.

- Provides subject education on study background, purpose, procedures and potential benefits and risks.

- Administers various study related questionnaires to subjects according to study protocol.

- Accessions and processes study lab specimens according to protocol instructions and regulations.

- Coordinates research subject treatment/tests with various departments, physicians and other study staff personnel.

- Assists senior level staff with the design of experiments and/or development of new techniques for laboratories or facilities and trains back-up study coordinator for vacation relief.
- Carries out research functions including checking and verifying patient history and medication use; obtaining records from patients' family physician, hospital or laboratory as required.
- Ensures appropriate notification to family physicians and/or specialists of patient's participation and of any change in patient's condition or abnormal test results and action taken by PI.

- Collects and enters research data into paper and electronic Case Report Form programs.

- Coordinates and participates in meetings to inform the investigator and study staff of the clinical progress of the study subjects.
- Reviews data results and consult PI accordingly

- Resolves any data related queries.
- Assists in identifying and submitting to local Research Ethics Board (REB)
- Informs investigator and sponsor of any Serious Adverse Events to patients during the trial.
- Obtains appropriate related data and follow up on Serious Adverse Events.
- Acts as a key liaison with Principal Investigator (PI) and sponsors.
- Manages study supplies, maintains inventory and is accountable to the PI, sponsor and federal regulatory bodies as per Good Clinical Practice guidelines.
- Conducts the close out of the study ensuring proper storage according to regulatory requirements
- Meets deadlines for study milestones.
- Maintains calibration records of study equipment and if needed schedules servicing and re-calibration of equipment.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Lack of careful attention to regulatory guidelines and approvals could suspend Investigator/physician and hospital/university as a site for further clinical research and/or funding. Clinical mistakes made by the coordinator could be potentially affect safety of the subjects. PI relies on the coordinator to alert them to clinical problems and unexpected events concerning study subject and trial conduct. Failure to do so may result in patient's safety being jeopardized. The performance of clinical trials and research projects must strictly conform to appropriate regulations:

Personal: maintaining professional behavior and respect for patients and staff Local: the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board Provincial: BC Privacy Act Federal: Health Canada, International Conference on Harmonization, Tri-Council Policy Statement, Good Clinical Practice International: US Food & Drug Administration

Supervision Received

The Research Assistant works under minimum supervision and collaborates with Research staff, reporting to the Research Manager, Investigators, and Director.

Supervision Given

The Research Assistant provides supervision to students when appropriate; acts as a resource with hospital staff, patients and colleagues; and manages the conduct of patient progress and follow-up.

Education/Work Experience

Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience in clinical drug trials, computer skills, medical terminology. Self-directed and has the ability to exercise judgment and initiative. Team-oriented, committed and precise. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability. Good organizational and communication skills. Deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous and effective manner. Maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize work effectively to meet deadlines. Work effectively independently and in a team environment.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to exercise tact, discretion and diplomacy. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information issues and effectively resolve the situation.

Skills

The Clinical Research Coordinator is expected to work collaboratively as part of a team with other clinical research coordinators, hospital staff, attending physicians, support staff, grant and industry sponsors and their representatives, regulatory agents and clinical investigators.

Expectations for all UBC employees:
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion