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Research Assistant II (with Phlebotomy Skills) / Emergency Medicine

We are looking for candidates who can start in September 2021.
 
This is a full-time position for someone with an interest in emergency medicine and/or clinical research. Working with us as a Research Assistant II is a great way to experience medicine and clinical research. You will be embedded in our clinical work and will interact closely with patients, nurses, doctors-in-training, faculty, and other staff. You will learn about the scientific, ethical, and organizational underpinnings of clinical research and medicine in general.
 
Our team performs clinical trials in patients with acute conditions (e.g., acute respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, heart attack, and sepsis) as well as new technology/devices in medicine (e.g., point of care testing devices, smartphone-based diagnostic/screening tests). You will have direct access to the department’s Research Director as well as our research faculty members who will mentor you in your career development. You will emerge from this experience with a terrific understanding of how clinical research and medicine work and your work with us will be an excellent foundation for a career in research and/or medicine.
 
In summary, this is a position for someone who has an interest in healthcare research and wants to plan a career in research or someone who wants to equip themselves with exposure to a fast-paced clinical environment before applying to medical, PA, nursing, or graduate schools.
 
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  1. Circulate throughout the newly renovated, Level 1 Trauma Center emergency department
  2. Observe and practice excellent interpersonal skills that are required to develop professional relationships with the clinical staff, so that they are receptive to research that occurs when they are very busy with routine clinical care.
  3. Explain research studies to potentially eligible research participants. Obtain their formal informed consent to participate.
  4. Obtain research measurements, such as phlebotomy/blood sample, spirometry, swabs, and surveys.
  5. Maintain meticulous records for all research-related activities.
  6. Respond to emails and messages (including group messages) within an hour, always using polite, professional communication. Personal mobile devices must be encrypted per MGB policy.
  7. Liaise with study sponsors and hospital committees in a professional way.
  8. Review medical charts to collect data and enter data into databases.
  9. Seek guidance immediately whenever unsure about something.
  10. Be available during the emergency department’s clinical research work hours, 7 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week. During the work hours, research assistants cover the ED in two rotary shifts, morning or evening. Some late-night stays will be required, to follow up on enrolled study patients, but you are compensated for your time. Be prepared to work night shifts if these are introduced into our program.
  11. Work with a focus on understanding the research machinery to grow towards a role in project management, if applicable.
  12. All other duties, as assigned. 
 
QUALIFICATIONS:
  1. Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of one year of clinical/clinical research experience
  2. Phlebotomy skills are required (completion of Medical Assistant training that includes phlebotomy, vital signs, and ECG or Phlebotomist Certification is preferred)
  3. Bilingual (English and Spanish) is preferred but not required
  4. Commitment to work for 2 years is preferred
 
SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
  1. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential
  2. Prior experience working with patients in a hospital setting
  3. Ability to handle biospecimens, using proper personal protective equipment
  4. Familiarity with medical terminology
  5. Excellent writing skills, with perfect formatting and grammar
  6. A high degree of computer literacy
  7. Ability to communicate with patients from a variety of backgrounds. Speech must be clear and professional. Speech must be easy for patients to understand, including patients who do not speak English well.
  8. Excellent organizational and data management skills, and ability to handle several responsibilities and work under a tight time constraint
  9. Careful attention to detail
  10. Ability to use tact, discretion, and sound judgment when dealing with confidential information
  11. Ability to do remote work as necessary

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • May serve as a study lead coordinator (as assigned).
 
WORKING CONDITIONS: 
You will be working in a large, newly renovated, Level 1 Trauma Center emergency department at Brigham and Women's Hospital- a Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital. Also, research assistants frequently follow patients into the hospital and may collect research samples or data on hospital wards and intensive care units. The work also involves paper or electronic chart review and data entry.