Research Assistant, Biomedical
Under the direction of the Clinical Research Operations Manager and Clinical Trials Project Manager, the Research Associate (RA) works with staff in the BioMedical Department at The Fenway Institute to support and implement clinical trials according to specified study protocols. Specific tasks this role performs are listed below.
Assists Research Projects
- Supports new and ongoing research protocol(s) by planning for and conducting research visits, performing quality control of participant study forms, maintaining study tracking logs, and other tasks as assigned by the study coordinator or investigators
- Identifies and troubleshoots research issues
- Communicates with study investigators, recruitment, and other study staff regularly regarding study activities
- Adheres to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for consistent operations in compliance with protocol guidelines
- Maintains current knowledge of HIV prevention and treatment and other areas of research by attending conferences, seminars, forums, trainings, and other professional development opportunities
Assists with the Recruitment and Retention of Study Volunteers
- Collaborates with the recruitment team and other staff to identify creative measures for reaching potential study participants
- Assists with screening and scheduling of study participants
- Reviews, discusses, and completes informed consent with clients, either remotely or in-person
- Implements retention efforts
Assists with Data Collection
- Conducts research study visits according to protocol(s) including meeting participants, administering surveys, and delivering intervention(s)
- Collects, processes, and transports blood and other laboratory specimens according to study protocol(s)
- Assists in data quality control and management
Meets Requirements for Best Practices in Research
- Adheres to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
- Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality
- Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
- Attends all required meetings and professional trainings
Requirements
- Experience with blood collection (phlebotomy) procedures, or willingness to learn
- Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and
- immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, HIV status, and/or limited English proficiency
- Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience and/or a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to social science research
- Familiarity working with underserved populations, particularly LGBTQIA+ and people living with HIV or at risk for HIV
- Attention to detail
- Ability to function autonomously in a collaborative interdisciplinary team
- Comfort interacting with research study participants of varied backgrounds in a friendly and professional manner
- Capacity for detail and multitasking
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Team player, aware of the needs of the group
- Receptive to training and feedback
- Critical thinker – able to anticipate shortfalls and plan ahead
We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.Highly experienced individuals may be compensated at a higher rate.