Research Program Assistant

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University conduct clinical trials and clinical studies to discover new ways to prevent and treat diseases and other health problems. The division of Pulmonary is seeking a Research Program Assistant who will support the research team by implementing steps and processes of a clinical research protocol. The position will perform both administrative tasks related to day-to-day clinical research operations, and protocol-related duties requiring an understanding of research procedures.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Data entry, management and calculations using a computerized database, word processing and enter, manage, and calculate data using a computerized database, word processing, and spreadsheet software, review data input for accuracy and completeness.
• Prioritize effectively and work on multiple tasks with concurrent deadlines; demonstrate excellent time-management skills and efficiency.
• Assist the coordinator in screening patient eligibility for studies; identify study participants and participate in recruitment for various clinical trials.
• Assist in study coordination, including facilitating administration of study interventions and coordinating with hospital clinicians and personnel.
• Assist the coordinator in orienting new staff to study procedures.
• Collect and maintain staff records, including certificates of completion for mandatory IRB courses.
• Assist co-workers and students/trainees in prioritizing workflow to optimize efficiency and productivity.
• Anticipate and respond to program needs based on awareness of routine and repeated job functions.
• Actively communicate updates to supervising clinical coordinators, collaborators, administrators, clinicians, and program leaders about patient enrollment, treatment, eligibility, and data-collection status via verbal and written communication.
• Identify appropriate patients for the clinical program.
• Maintain a high level of motivation and a positive attitude toward job functions.
• Communicate with program sponsors, coordinators, and collaborators.
• Maintain filing systems for electronic and paper patient records.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA guidelines.
• Attend regular group meetings (weekly or monthly).
• Obtain consent and HIPAA authorizations from eligible patients.
• Administer standardized surveys to patients or proxies by phone or during inpatient, clinic, or home visits.
• Support cohort retention by calling and mailing patients with appointment reminders and by scheduling and completing research visits.
• Conduct standardized patient assessments during inpatient, clinic, or home visits; escort patients through the hospital during visits.
• Maintain logs of patient screening, research visit scheduling, and data collection.
• Set up and take down equipment for patient testing.
• Conduct literature searches and organize data for program-related reports and papers.
• Prepare study documents for IRB submission as needed.
• Follow all written and unwritten program practices, procedures, and protocols.
• Organize and file patient records; prepare and maintain program materials.
• Prepare weekly reports of work hours and activities for supervisor review.
• Demonstrate and model a positive work environment, including high motivation, a positive attitude, good judgment, tact, and sensitivity in interpersonal interactions with research staff, investigators, and students.
• Know the informal policies, procedures, and practices necessary to conduct the normal function of the unit; be aware of the position’s role and its potential impact on the unit.
• Pack, transport, ship, receive, and process study samples.
• Create and update SOP manuals.

This description is a general statement of regularly performed major duties and responsibilities. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
• One year of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• Some college courses.

Classified Title: Clinical Research Assistant 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Research Program Assistant   
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CB  
Starting Salary Range: $15.40 - $23.25 HRLY ($24,856 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Casual / On Call 
Schedule: 19 hours as needed (M-F) 
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Medicine Campus  
Department name: SOM DOM Pulmonary   
Personnel area: School of Medicine