Clinical Research Assistant, Boston Medical Center Otolaryngology
Position Description:
The Otolaryngology clinic at Boston Medical Center is looking for 4 research assistants who would be available during clinic hours to assist with a new research project. The project involves improving patient knowledge about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and understanding barriers to vaccination in the underserved patient population that BMC treats. We will use a novel educational intervention which we will hope to show significantly improves vaccination rate in adults.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) head and neck cancer recently surpassed cervical cancer as the most-common HPV-mediated malignancy in the United States, and it is one of only five cancers in the US that is increasing in incidence. The HPV vaccine is a proven safe and effective way to prevent head and neck cancer caused by HPV. Despite this, the vaccination rate among adults is as low as 1% in certain populations. Our goal is uncover strategies to improve this poor vaccination rate, especially to patient with low health literacy and access.
We have developed an education tool which we will trial on patients presenting to our clinic at Boston Medical Center. This has been created based on responses to a survey study we performed last year. Our hope is to develop a succinct, accessible, and easily reproducible educational resource to be used in clinics throughout Boston at the US. We need assistance in the implementation and distribution of these educational materials to our patients in clinic.
The position is currently volunteer. However, we are applying for grants and will possibly be able to hire an excellent assistant if funding becomes available.
Time commitment:
- 4-8 hours a week in our Otolaryngology clinic Mondays and Thursdays at Boston Medical Center
- We plan to start collecting data late February to early March
- The study will be collecting data for approximately 6 months
Duties and responsibilities:
- The research assistant would help identify potential study participants in the clinic waiting room and assist with coordinating educational materials, patient care, and vaccinations
- The research assisting will help patients/subjects with any technical questions about the materials
- They will NOT be asked to provide medical advice or recommendations
Qualifications:
- The most important aspect of this project is strong interpersonal skills and outgoing personality due the time spent working directly with patients in clinic
- The research assistant will be interacting with patients and staff/providers for most if not all of their time
- The research assistant should have an interest in: public health, cancer research, medical/biological science, epidemiology, working with underserved communities, and/or vaccination education
- Proficiency in a second language (Spanish, French, or Portuguese) is preferred but not required