Research Assistant II

$50,000 - $50,000/Yr

University of Arkansas - Little Rock, AR

Full-time - Entry Level

Little Rock, AR

Educational Services

About the position

The Research Assistant II position at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is a vital role within a dedicated research team focused on conducting clinical trials aimed at evaluating the efficacy of pharmacotherapies for treating psychostimulant and opioid use disorders. This position operates under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI) and the study coordinator, collaborating closely with study physicians to address potential medical issues that may arise during the trials. The Research Assistant II will be expected to engage in various research activities, demonstrating a commitment to clinical research and a willingness to work with participants who may be substance users and at high risk for infectious diseases such as HIV. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences or a related field, along with a minimum of four years of research laboratory experience. The successful candidate will be responsible for participant recruitment, conducting informed consent processes, and ensuring adherence to study protocols. After initial training, the Research Assistant II will have the autonomy to make independent judgments while working alongside other team members. Attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, and effective communication abilities are essential for coordinating with research subjects, team members, and external institutions. In addition to the core responsibilities, the Research Assistant II will perform various tasks such as scheduling study visits, tracking participant engagement, collecting study data, and conducting safety interviews during study visits. The position also involves maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice Guidelines and HIPAA regulations. This role is integral to the success of the research initiatives at UAMS, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field of substance use disorders and improving patient care.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the recruitment of participants, including placing ads, answering the phone, returning screening phone calls, scheduling and performing informed consent and screening procedures, keeping screening logs up to date, and performing outreach activities.
• Recruits and enrolls potential participants according to study protocol and standard operating procedures.
• Conducts the informed consent process and, as appropriate, obtains authorization(s) for release of information.
• Screens participants for study eligibility and randomizes eligible participants in collaboration with study physicians.
• Schedules participants for study visits and serves as the participant tracker.
• Performs routine outreach (phone calls, mailings, in-person reminders) to ensure that participants attend study visits.
• Maintains close contact with participants, including tracking and meeting with them in the community if they have stopped coming to the clinic.
• Encourages participants to re-contact the treatment program and resume treatment.
• Collects extensive locator information at screening and regularly during the trial to assist in locating and following participants into the community if they fail to return for scheduled visits.
• Conducts study visits and collects study data according to study protocol and standard operating procedures.
• Performs urine collection, processing, and/or testing activities, including supervised urine collection from same-sex participants.
• Prepares and ships oral fluid samples for testing and completes visit checklists and progress notes.
• Conducts safety interviews during study visits, including monitoring and reporting adverse events.
• Maintains accurate data on forms (including electronically) used to chart participants' involvement in the study.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, health sciences, or related field) required.
• Four years of research laboratory experience required.
• Certified Research Specialist (CRS) or equivalent to be completed within two years of hire date.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Commitment to clinical research and willingness/ability to work with research participants who are substance users and at high risk for infection with HIV/other infectious diseases.
• Attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with subjects, team members, other departments, and outside institutions.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment while working with a diverse subject population.
• Ability to follow Good Clinical Practice Guidelines, HIPAA, and The Protection of Human Research Subjects.

Nice-to-haves

• Coursework or other specialized training in areas related to substance use/dependence and relevant interventions, or other behavioral health background.
• Phlebotomy experience or willingness to learn phlebotomy.
• Experience with electronic data capture (EDC) systems.

Benefits

• Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family.
• Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave.
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only).
• Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS.
• Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000.
• Career Training and Educational Opportunities.
• Merchant Discounts.
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy.