CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Unit/Project Description: 

A Clinical Research Assistant is required for the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Transfusion Research (MCTR), in the Department of Medicine. MCTR is dedicated to advancing transfusion science through innovative methodology & collaborative research to improve patient health outcomes. The Department of Medicine is the largest department in the Faculty of Health Sciences and consists of 18 Divisions spanning the breadth of Internal Medicine. Our approximately 300 full-time and more than 440 non-GFT faculty members work closely with our hospital partners at Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, the Niagara Healthcare System, and other regional partner institutions to deliver excellent clinical care. The Mission of the Department of Medicine is to provide outstanding clinical care, to provide superlative education and to maintain our position as a "world-leading" center for research and innovation. For more information on how our staff and faculty positively contribute to clinical, academic, and research initiatives, please visit our website at https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/medicine.

Job Summary:

Responsible for organizing and administering one or more clinical research projects within required deadlines under the direction of a Principal Investigator or project leader.

Purpose and Key Functions:

- Oversee the collection, entry, verification, management, analysis, and reporting of data. 
- Use statistical software to analyze data and interpret results. 
- Design and maintain databases, data collection forms, error checking methods and related programs for efficient collection, analysis, and reporting. 
- Modify and reconfigure databases to ensure the optimal storage of data and minimize data entry complexities. Troubleshoot moderately complex computer problems. 
- Write data management and operations documentation for the project. 
- Liaise between the centre and remote clinic sites and personnel. 
- Conduct structured patient interviews. 
- Ensure that the relevant research methodology is applied and all research material is handled in accordance with established protocols, policies, and procedures. 
- Participate in the development of promotional strategies and related materials to encourage participation and support for research projects. 
- Develop presentations and present information and training sessions to project personnel and patients. 
- Keep project participants informed of project progress through regular reports and newsletters. 
- Gather and compile information and data required for the preparation of scientific papers, abstracts, and graphs. Conduct literature searches. 
- Oversee the extraction and compilation of data required for reports and disseminate data to research groups and collaborating partners. 
- Implement and maintain the research project budget. Create financial projections and make adjustments to the research project budget throughout the fiscal year. 
- Exercise appropriate budget controls, monitor, and reconcile accounts. 
- Write a variety of letters and memos. 
- Participate in research project meetings and propose recommendations for procedure modifications and development in the areas of data management, quality control, and assurance. 
- Write, update, and archive data management and quality assurance conventions. 
- Respond to inquiries received from project personnel regarding relevant project issues and procedures. 

Requirements:

- Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study and 2 years of relevant Experience

Assets:

- Previous experience with consenting patients/participants for clinical research projects is considered an asset

- Evidence of research training (such as HRM, CCRP/A designation, or other)

- Experience coordinating grant submissions for peer reviewed competitions (eg. CIHR)

- Experience with submissions to the Research Ethics Board 

- Experience with day-to-day clinical trial operations including patient recruitment and study visits

- Experience with development of study documents such as operations manuals and protocols

- Familiarity with EPIC is considered an asset 

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

- Must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task under competing priorities and deadlines

- Detail-oriented individual with initiative who works well independently and as part of a team

- Excellent problem-solving abilities

- Preference will be given to individuals with experience in data management, including use of REDCap, development of database dictionaries and generating reports for data completeness and compliance

- Knowledge of hematology, bleeding disorders and transfusion medicine is an asset