Research Assistant

$44,100 - $50,600/Yr

Fenway Health - Boston, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Boston, MA

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

As a Research Assistant reporting to the Project Director, you will play a pivotal role in the Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Systems (CNICS). This dynamic project is a leader in HIV disease management research, capturing a wealth of data that informs clinical decisions and management strategies in HIV care. CNICS stands out for its capacity to provide peer-reviewed, open access to evolving clinical research platforms, collecting validated outcomes, longitudinal resistance data, detailed Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), and biological specimens. Your key responsibilities will include recruiting study participants for CNICS, obtaining informed consent, and processing, storing, shipping, and maintaining blood specimens. You will also be responsible for the administration of PRO surveys. Collaborating closely with patients, providers, and our research team, you will contribute significantly to the successful implementation and conduct of CNICS and its sub-studies, both within Fenway Community Health / The Fenway Institute and in partnership with external co-investigators. This role demands a high level of attention to detail, organizational + communication skills, and a commitment to ethical research practices. If you are passionate about leveraging large-scale data sets to advance the field of HIV disease management and patient care, this position offers an excellent opportunity for growth and impact.

Responsibilities

• Proactively contact potentially eligible study participants, employing effective communication strategies to engage them in the research process.
• Conduct research interviews, surveys, and study visits, demonstrating a keen attention to detail and unwavering adherence to specific research protocols.
• Administer participant surveys, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data collection processes.
• Process, store, and maintain blood specimens according to established protocols and safety guidelines.
• Coordinate the shipment of specimens to collaborators, adhering to safety and transport regulations.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold the highest standards of ethical accountability in all interactions with study participants.
• Collaborate in the study design and protocol development process, ensuring compliance and relevance.
• Efficiently relay lab results and other pertinent information to primary care providers as authorized by participants.
• Assist in the data entry process and rigorously check the quality of data.
• Routinely generate descriptive statistics and conduct additional data analyses as required.
• Oversee the integrity and quality of data, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
• Maintain strictly confidential records of interested candidates and study participants.
• Ensure that demographic information on research clients is complete and regularly updated.
• Actively promote open communication and discussion among team members about protocol procedures.
• Develop and regularly update standard operating procedures, aligning them with study protocols.
• Efficiently coordinate site visits with study monitors or collaborators.
• Maintain necessary contact with external agencies involved in the study.
• Work closely with funders and other project staff to ensure project data collection is on track.
• Establish and maintain relationships with medical providers to facilitate participant recruitment.
• Engage in the development and revision of research protocols and questionnaire formats.
• Regularly communicate initiatives, progress, and updates to the Project Director and Principal Investigator.
• Assist with all Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions concerning protocol changes.
• Attend all regularly scheduled research meetings, trainings, forums, and pertinent staff meetings.
• Consistently adhere to all agency and departmental policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested.
• Uphold the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality.
• Strictly adhere to established safety policies, procedures, and precautions.
• Attend all required meetings, in-services, and professional trainings.
• Maintain the professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities.
• Serve on agency committees and participate in professional organizations when requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., public health, biology, psychology, social sciences) or equivalent experience.
• Experience with research concepts and techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated strong administrative skills and a strong attention to detail.
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with data entry, management, and analysis.
• Ability to function autonomously in a collaborative interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to work harmoniously with diverse groups of individuals.

Nice-to-haves

• One to two years' experience working with human subjects.
• Work experience in a biological or health science-related field.
• Experience in a wet lab environment, including specimen processing and adherence to laboratory safety protocols.
• Familiarity with working with HIV-infected or at-risk individuals.
• Clinical research experience.
• Experience with Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) or Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
• Experience working in an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Brazilian Portuguese, and/or Arabic.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans.
• Retirement plan with employer match.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Paid vacation.