Research Assistant - Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Research Coordinator - FOR JOB INQUIRIES PLEASE EMAIL VALERIE MENOCAL AT VALERIE.MENOCAL@VA.GOV WITH A COPY OF YOUR RESUME

 

INTRODUCTION

The incumbent will work in the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center

(GRECC) at the James J. Peters VAMC, an affiliate of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, with responsibility for performing a variety of duties in support of the

administrative and clinical operations of the GRECC unit. The work of the position

requires knowledge of basic and standardized research and education procedures, VA

Health Administration Service procedures and requirements, and medical office

procedures.

MAJOR DUTIES:

The incumbent will work in the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center

(GRECC) as a Health Service Technician to Principal Investigators of both HSR&D

funded projects as well as other funded clinical demonstrations, including recruitment of study subjects in the Emergency Department. The incumbent's health service activities are to assist in the implementation of protocols.

The incumbent’s duties may include, but are not limited to assisting in the completion of

institutional and IRB paperwork, assisting the PIs in ensuring compliance with IRB, VA and

Federal Regulations, overall coordination, and communication with the multi-center study

project coordination, assisting with preparing for project meetings (Daily, Weekly, Monthly,

Quarterly) both for local and multi-site project teams, assisting with meeting minutes,

assisting with data collection, completing the screening, recruiting, informed consent

process with each site, performing study specific procedures, chart abstractions, entering

data to be analyzed into a master database.

The incumbent will assist the PIs with study document management, which includes

entering CPRS or electronic health record notes for research encounters, scanning

completed informed consent forms, and managing regulatory binders in accordance with

VA and institutional guidelines.

The incumbent will assist with preparation of current or amended research protocols and

consent forms that have been prepared by the PI to the Institutional Review Board on an

annual or semi-annual basis. The incumbent assists the PI in maintaining all regulatory

compliance for research studies. The incumbent assists the PI with the educating and

counseling of patients regarding the research protocols and procedures, and obtaining

informed consent from patients.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Factor 1-6 Knowledge Required by the Position

The position requires a basic knowledge of the principles, practice, and procedures and

techniques in the scientific area to support the organization's health science program,

and to develop limited policies, procedures, and criteria for the administration of the

health science research program. The employee uses skill in applying this knowledge

to such assignments as the coordinating, designing, and planning of difficult, but well precedent

projects. The incumbent must be able to implement and follow research

protocol and recruit subjects. Previous experience in conducting research studies

involving human subjects and familiarity with an Institutional Review Board is preferred.

Certification in the Protection of Human Subjects, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and

HIPAA Regulations is ideal. The work also requires knowledge of how to enter data into

a database set up with a program such as MS Excel. Familiarity with medical terms is

desirable. The incumbent must have excellent people and organizational skills.

Factor 2-3 Supervisory Controls

The supervisor makes assignments by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines, and

assists the employee with unusual situations that do not have clear precedents. The

employee plans and carries out the successive steps and handles problems and

deviations in the work assignment in accordance with instructions, policies, previous

training, or accepted practices in the occupation. Completed work is usually evaluated

for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.

The methods used in arriving at the end results are not usually reviewed in detail.

Factor 3-3 Guidelines

Guidelines are not specifically applicable to a particular assignment or task. Guidelines

include accepted professional standards and ethic, professional literature, standards of

JCAH, agency regulations, procedural manuals, and safety regulations of the treatment

facility and equipment. The specialist must exercise judgment in selecting the

appropriate health science procedures and apply a thorough understanding of health

science procedures and techniques in interpreting the guidelines, determining them

applicability to situations not specifically covered, and adapting procedural instructions

as necessary and appropriate. The employee evaluates the results of such adaptation

and recommends changes to improve the applicability of certain guidelines.

Factor 4-3 Complexity

The incumbent provides treatment services for a wide range of clinical problems. This

may include conducting group and individual goal orientated treatment activities,

individual and family counseling, teaching new skills to deal with identified problems,

and/or serving as case manager for assigned patients. The work may also include

participation in outcome research and quality assurance activities.

Factor 5-3 Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to provide a therapeutic impact on patients and families and

to provide counseling and assistance. The work has a direct impact on the patient's

social, economic, and functional well-being. Individuals with illnesses are helped to

develop better relationships with others, and to cope with daily activities.

Factor 6ll-2B Personal Contacts & Purpose of Contacts

Personal contacts are with program· participants or with patients, their families, and

professional and nonprofessional employees of the hospital or agency.

The purpose of contacts is to determine eligibility for treatment services, providing

treatment services, imparting or obtaining information, coordinating treatment activities

with other professionals and family members and educating both students and patients.

Factor 8-1 Physical Demands

The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions

of the work. However, there is periodic walking; standing; bending; carrying of light

items such as medical records, food trays, instructional material, books, and manuals.

No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Factor 9-1 Work Environment

The work environment will include being in the Emergency Department and hospital setting, which will require training and safety precautions of working in a healthcare environment. It will also include working in the office environment that involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting, and training rooms,

libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles. The work area is adequately lighted,

heated, and ventilated.

Other Significant Facts

Customer Service

Meet the needs of customers while supporting VA m1ss1ons. Consistently

communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA

staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provide the customer with

consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles

conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained.

Position is contingent upon ongoing grant funding.