Research Study Assistant

Department: MED-Ctr-Dissemination & Implem
Salary/Grade: NEX/9

Job Summary

The Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science (CDIS) led by Dr. Sara Becker is within the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) at the Feinberg School of Medicine. The central vision of CDIS is to bridge the gap between public health/medical knowledge (what we know) and public health/medical practice (what we do). D&I science is essential to realize the full impact of public health and medical research. Traditional, passive dissemination strategies such as publishing clinical recommendations, trials, or guidelines are insufficient for realizing practice change. Innovative, proactive strategies for increasing the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based interventions in community and clinical settings are essential for improving population health and driving health care innovation.

This Research Study Assistant (RSA) will support the Principal Investigator on an NIH-funded program called The Research Adoption Support Center: SUD Implementation Core (RASC). RASC is a support center that helps projects funded through the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Data2Action network to infuse implementation science methods, models, and measures into their work. The RSA will specifically support the Substance-Use Disorder (SUD) Implementation Core, aimed at bringing the best of Dissemination & Implementation science to the Innovation Projects to guide the selection, implementation, and sustainment of evidence-based, locally appropriate SUD interventions to reduce overdose risk in communities with the greatest burden. Activities include reviewing the current evidence-base for effective SUD treatments among communities most at risk for overdose; generate pragmatic implementation science tools; adapt implementation science tools for different users in the community (researchers, frontline staff, etc.); liaise with Innovation Project leads; and communicate with multisite team members via phone/Zoom/email. The RSA is also expected to help with the organization and maintenance of project documents and files and contribute to the continual submission of annual grant progress reports.

This RSA may have the opportunity to assist on other NIH-funded research programs, including (1) an initiative partnered with the Chicago Department of Public Health focused on promoting the uptake of contingency management (CM) within community-based organizations across Chicagoland and (2) a large pragmatic effectiveness randomized controlled trial evaluating whether a technology-assisted intervention can improve the outcomes of adolescents in residential treatment (Parent SMART).

The RSA will complete all activities by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all relevant current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Recruits study participants.
• Reviews & obtains informed consent.
• Schedules study visits with participants.
• Conducts interviews.
• Scores test results.
• Collects survey data.
• Facilitates communication with key personnel & participants to maintain project study flow.

Administration

• Participate in, organize, and develop materials (e.g., agendas, minutes, summaries) for internal and external meetings and site-visits in collaboration with study team.
• Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting & entering data; &/or preparing basic charts & graphs.
• Performs scientific literature searches in support of research.

Finance

• Submit for reimbursements for participants.
• Processes invoices &/or purchase requisitions.

Supervision

• May train other research staff to interview/test participants.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to set goals and work independently to manage both short- and long-term responsibilities.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work conditions.
• Ability to receive and incorporate feedback into work products.
• Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Ability to compile and enter data accurately.
• Flexibility in scheduling of research assessments including sessions during early morning, evening, and weekend hours.
• Knowledge of computer applications, including word processing and data entry.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Proficiency in Spanish preferred
• Experience working in a clinical setting or with a clinical population (i.e., volunteer experience in psychiatric hospital, experience in clinical research lab, etc.).
• Previous experience conducting structured clinical interviews and patient assessments.
• Experience and familiarity with grant funding and IRB procedures.
• Previous research experience through academic training or previous work experience.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of experimental research methodology and clinical research procedures.
• Ability to use and navigate computer applications such as videoconference software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), reference management software (e.g., Endnote, Zotero, Mendeley), data management software (e.g., Qualtrics), and project management software (e.g., Google Sheets).

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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