Research Coordinator

The Research Coordinator will be expected to independently execute job functions related to projects within the Personality, Emotions, and Relationships Lab (PEARL) for PI Lori Scott. PEARL is focused on longitudinal studies of risk and resilience for suicide, self-harm, and personality disorders across the lifespan. We also conduct studies of suicide risk in autistic adults in collaboration with other investigators in the department. The primary responsibility is project coordination for the DEAR study - an intensive longitudinal study of suicide risk factors in adults that involves clinical interviews, surveys, and ecological momentary assessment with ambulatory psychophysiology.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate participant and recruitment flow, participant appointments, and all aspects of data collection.
• Screen and consent participants.
• Administer tests to participants.
• Pay and track payment to participants.
• Data entry and filing of participant paperwork.
• Work with clinicians, clinical leaders, and clinical teams within UPMC outpatient and inpatient services to develop recruitment procedures for identifying and recruiting patients with recent suicide attempts.
• Organize and attend weekly study meetings, create agenda, and take meeting minutes.
• Organize and attend Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) meetings, create agenda, and take meeting minutes.
• Assist with creation of DSMB charter and biannual DSMB reports.
• Complete all IRB modifications and renewals and communicate updates to the team.
• Primary Office of Academic Computing (OAC) and Office of Data Management (ODM) contact; attend OAC and ODM meetings; give them necessary information.
• Coordinate data pulls for study investigators, trainees, and collaborators as needed.
• Create or work with ODM and/or OAC to develop a data dictionary that includes updates on versions or changes.
• Develop a system for and oversee data audits (either completing them or supervising the data manager, other staff, or undergraduates, etc.).
• Review notice of grant award and have primary responsibility for ensuring we are addressing all requirements.
• Monitor publication access compliance for DEAR publications; help with submission to comply as needed.
• Monitor and submit NIMH milestones reports.
• Monitor all deadlines and communicate with the team so that study targets are met.
• Monitor targets in data (i.e., percent with recent suicide attempt, racial diversity, sex distribution).
• Coordinate and track repeat assessment data collection.
• Track progress of, and obtain necessary documentation for, all office of grants and contract paperwork requests (i.e., yearly activations).
• Complete Rigor & Reproducibility-related projects/MOP.
• Update/formatting of every version of the MOP; Create and update a folder with all current documents on OneDrive.
• Assist in the preparation/organization of progress reports.
• Order study supplies and equipment, and coordinate ordering needs with the team; follow UPMC/Pitt ordering procedures and policies
• Assist with tracking decisions that need to be made or are made. As decisions or made or files revised, ensure final documents are on OneDrive
• Coordinate logistics (e.g., parking for study visits)
• Participant in weekly supervision.
• Follow appropriate research policies and procedures including all applicable laws and regulations and maintains scientific integrity including accurate data storage.
• Follow the mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
• Able to work evenings and weekends when needed.
• Perform other duties related to the research project as requested by the investigators.
• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.

*The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all of the work requirements that may be inherent in the job, nor shall it be interpreted as limiting an employee in performing duties other than those normally performed or from helping employees in other position or units.

• B.A. degree, or equivalent combination of experience and training
• Including 3-5 years of experience in coordinating multiple aspects of research projects (patient recruitment, assessment, treatment planning, and data collection,) required.
• Computer Skills (Microsoft Office Products).
• IRB experience preferred.
• Ability to accurately collect, and store research data.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with patients, staff and investigators as well as maintain patient confidentiality
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, must be able to work a flexible schedule based on study needs.
• Ability to interact with patients/study participants and research and medical staff.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
• Knowledge of the principles of growth and cognition over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department's policy and procedures.
• Experience with individuals at risk for suicide is required.
• Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
• Experience with adolescents and/or adults with autism or other developmental disabilities is preferred.
• IRB experience preferred.
• Knowledge of administering the C-SSRS or other structured suicide risk assessments preferred.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, particularly inpatient settings, preferred.
• Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.
• Prior supervisory and/or project management experience preferred.
• Must have excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work independently once trained in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be available to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran