Research Program Assistant - Psychiatry: Biobehavioral Medicine

Job Description Summary

Full-time Program Assistant is needed to work on grant-funded research projects for patients with cancer conducted at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Ongoing trials include two pilot RCTs testing a telehealth-delivered adapted dialectical behavioral therapy skills training program to reduce distress and improve quality of life in people living with advanced cancer compared to usual care, and a project examining communication challenges and support preferences in patients with advanced cancer and their emerging and young adult child caregivers. The PA will work with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Kelly Hyland, in the recruitment of research participants, collection of self-report data, data entry, and organizational and regulatory tasks. The Program Assistant will work as part of a larger research team in the Survivorship and Cancer Outcomes Research (SCOR) group and interface primarily with other researchers, clinicians and patients in the clinical setting.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Research Grant

Cost Center

CC001042 COM PSYCH Bio-Behavioral Medicine CC

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

University-GEN06

Pay Range

37,944.00 - 49,266.00 - 60,690.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

FLSA: Hourly

Work Schedule: 5 days/week, 40 hours, Mondays - Sundays

Job Duties:

• Research operations (35%)
  • Provide administrative support of recruitment strategies, prepares materials (flyers, etc.)
  • Screen participants for all studies independently (i.e., screening for eligibility criteria)
  • Conduct and/or documents consent for participants in minimal risk studies. May conduct consent for studies greater than minimal risk under direct supervision.
  • Schedule study visits and maintain subject level documentation for minimal risk studies or for other studies under direct supervision.
  • Circulate and review assessments for minimal risk studies or for greater than minimal risk studies under direct supervision. Collect data directly from participant or from the electronic medical record.
  • Participant reminders about upcoming study appointments and assessments
  • Collect, prepare or process adverse events under supervision.
  • Facilitate participant remuneration via ClinCard
  • Answer questions that come through phone and email systems
  • May provide training to other Program Assistants, as necessary
• Data and informatics (35%)
  • Complete case report forms and enters data into EDC system(s).
  • Resolve data queries.
• Communication (10%)
  • Participate in study team meetings and provide study status updates (meeting minutes, etc)
  • Communicate and coordinate with other study personnel as required for study implementation and routine problem resolution.
• Ethics and participant safety (10%)
  • Understands the ethical conduct of research and safeguards needed when conducting human subjects research activities.
• Regulatory (5%)
  • Assist with regulatory documentation for submissions (Institutional Review Board), Continuing Reviews, Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR), Data and Safety Monitoring Board meetings, and other reports as required.                                                                                                                                   
• Leadership and Professionalism (5%)
  • Encourage and supports colleagues in completing project work. Assists with identifying efficiencies and improving processes.
  • Involvement in research dissemination and publication (manuscript preparation and submission, conference abstract preparation and presentation.

Preferred Training and Experience:  A bachelor’s degree in psychology, premed, neuroscience, biology, nursing, or other life sciences or health care field is preferred. Prior research experience in a lab, knowledge of REDCap data entry, management, reporting tools, screening and consenting research participants, administering study assessments is preferred. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experience working with individuals with cancer. Excellent verbal communication and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail and the ability to work independently and assure accuracy. The ability to collect, organize, and analyze information in a clear and concise manner.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and three years of relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required program experience.

Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outdoors in all weather and temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Infrequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Infrequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Infrequent) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Frequent) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 36 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 36 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Frequent) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Frequent) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Frequent) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to hear and/or understand whispered conversations at a distance of 3 feet. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Frequent) Ability to work in dusty areas. (Infrequent)

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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