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Job Description Summary

As part of the Infectious Disease Clinical Trials Group, this position will support clinical research consisting of projects in HIV, COVID19, and other Infectious Diseases. The person will support Infectious Disease Investigators and Research Nurses in clinical research ranging from observational trials to investigational product trials, including both investigator-initiated and industry-initiated trials. Work requires on-site presence and interaction with research subjects. The position will assist with lab duties including transporting samples around campus and processing lab samples.

Research assistant work includes prescreening, recruitment, visit prep, assist with conducting study visits, phlebotomy and medical assessments, filing, currier, and administrative duties in support of multiple studies.

Job Description

Clinical Research Assistant A: Clinical Research Assistant A will perform research and administrative tasks for research projects and clinical trials within the Infectious Disease Clinical Trials Unit.  The person will support Infectious Disease Investigators in clinical research ranging from observational trials to investigational product trials, including both investigator-initiated and industry-initiated trials.  Work requires on-site presence and interaction with research subjects.  Involves outreach work to recruit subjects from Philadelphia region.  

Prescreen, recruit, consent (minimal risk) and screen patients according to protocol; Schedule patient visits and any necessary testing; Organize and help maintain study documentation, includes source documentation, case report forms, research charts, and study logs; Prepare for study visits including labeling and creating visit packets; Collect and review study data;    Process and ship study specimens including blood and urine; Transport and document study specimens;  Escort patients to research visits; Participate in study team meetings and ongoing protocol training;   Perform general administrative duties to support the ID Clinical Trials Unit; Hours may include evenings or weekend as necessary.

Clinical Research Assistant B: Clinical Research Assistant B is expected to perform the duties above with less supervision from the study team. In addition to above, will be expected to do more in-depth prescreening and review of medical records, data entry, and conduct study visits and procedures autonomously.  

Duties:

1) RA A: Do preliminary prescreening of patients to assess enrollment criteria for clinical trials

RA B: Do more in-depth prescreening of patients to assess enrollment criteria for clinical trials

2) RA A: Assist study coordinator when conducting study visits and procedures such as vitals, medical history, ECGs, phlebotomy and processing biological specimens

RA B: Assist study coordinator when conducting study visits and procedures such as vitals, medical history, ECGs, phlebotomy and processing biological specimens; Conduct some visits autonomously.

3) RA A: Help study coordinator maintain research charts and binders

RA B: Help study coordinator maintain research charts and binders and do data entry including extracting data from medical charts

4) Prepare for study visits and lab work including labeling tubes, creating visit packets, and preparing reagents for assays

5) Works with research staff, the outpatient laboratory and/or CHPS nurses to pick up and collect blood and other biological samples (including PK, PD, and PBMC samples).

6) Process biospecimens (blood, urine, bone marrow, lung aspirates, CSF, genital secretions, stool) per the Standard Operating Procedures of the ACTG, CFAR or pharmaceutical sponsors.

7) Key specimen information into Laboratory Data Management System using Standard Operating Procedures and print labels for specimen tubes.

8) Perform general administrative duties to support the Research Unit and other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be organized and able to prioritize; effective communication and writing skills; strong time management skills; flexible and able to multi-task; demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently

Clinical Research Assistant A: High School diploma and 1 to 2 years of experience in clinical research, or an equivalent combination of education and experience are required.  Phlebotomy skills preferred.

Clinical Research Assistant B:  High School diploma and 3 to 5 years of experience in clinical research, or an equivalent combination of education and experience are required.  BA/BS and 1 year of clinical research experience preferred. Phlebotomy skills preferred.

This position is contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$16.23 - $29.22

Affirmative Action Statement 

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.