Clinical Research Asst - Part Time

The Ressler Neurobiology of Fear Laboratory at McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, is part-time (weekends and balance weekdays) clinical research assistant for onboarding as soon as possible. Our lab uses translational approaches to identify biomarkers of trauma-spectrum and dissociative disorders. We are looking for a highly motivated and independent individual to join a team of clinical research assistants working with the McLean Hospital Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders to coordinate several research studies and recruit eligible patients in an inpatient setting. This position would be an excellent fit for individuals with relevant research experience who plan to apply to medical school or graduate school in psychology / neuroscience and seek additional research experience and clinical exposure.

One of the main projects this clinical research assistant will work on is Psychometrics at McLean (PAM) which is sponsored by McLean Hospital and the Wellcome Foundation’s Wellcome Leap research program. PAM is a transdiagnostic research study aiming to characterize psychiatric illnesses using clinical assessments, self-report measures, behavioral tasks, neuropsychological tasks, EEG, fMRI, recorded interviews, activity monitoring, and biological testing to improve understanding and treatment of Anhedonia in collaboration with the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Biobank. A primary study goal is to provide real-time feedback to physicians to aid in their care of patients during hospitalization. The prospective clinical research assistant may contribute to expanding PAM to additional inpatient units. We thus seek an individual who can work independently in clinical settings and act as a liaison between existing research assistants who work during the week, clinical teams (psychiatrists, nurses, social workers), and other research teams. Prior work or volunteer experience in psychiatric settings is preferred as this role will involve direct patient contact in an acute psychiatric setting. This position may additionally provide opportunities to learn research/clinical skills such as phlebotomy, EEG, and assisting with MRI.

The Mass General Brigham (MGB) Biobank is a large-scale research program sponsored by MGB Personalized Medicine designed to help researchers understand how people’s health is affected by their genes, lifestyle, and environment. The MGB Biobank serves investigators who work at Mass General Brigham hospitals, including Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Investigators with approval from the MGB Human Subjects Committee (MGBHRC) may request DNA, plasma, and serum samples, genomic data, as well as linked clinical data and data from a health information survey (data on lifestyle, environment, and family history).

The clinical research assistant will work closely with our existing team of research assistants and report to project managers and/or principal investigators as needed and in regularly scheduled meetings as available. Other potential responsibilities are as follows: The daily execution of assigned projects; maintaining regulatory compliance; monitoring study files; participant recruitment; data entry and management; scheduling and attending program and study meetings as available; providing administrative support as needed; assistance with preparation of presentations for research and clinical staff; and blood sample collection (phlebotomy experience preferred but not required-training available) and processing. Principal duties may vary over time with grant funding and project demands, and with skill level of other staff assigned to projects.

Principal duties may vary over time with grant funding and project demands, and with skill level of other staff assigned to projects.

• Recruits and evaluates potential study participants. Interacts with potential study participants educating them about the study including the possible risks/benefits, procedural details, and significance of the study. Obtains informed consent from potential study participants; tracks consent status using specialized software; maintains study participant records; develops and/or maintains study forms.
• Works closely with research assistants who have obtained consent from patients on weekdays to assist in completion of study required and optional components.
• Schedules and conducts patient study visits and tasks which may include clinical assessments; behavioral tasks; neuropsychological tasks; fMRI scans; EEGs; recorded clinical interviews; and blood sample collection (phlebotomy experience preferred but not required-training available) and processing.
• Works closely with clinical staff (psychiatrists, nurses, social workers) to determine patient research eligibility.
• Administer clinical assessments to patients and report on findings to clinical staff individually and in team rounds.
• Responsible for answering study related questions posed via e-mail or phone calls from potential participants and/or the general public. Retains information regarding interested study participants and subjects who decline to participate using specialized software. Refers participants when appropriate to supervisor or clinical staff.
• Maintains regulatory documents, monitors study files, and responsible for some data entry and management.
• Responsible for mailing and/or emailing various study information or packets and surveys to study participants.
• Assists in preparation and shipment of drawn samples.
• Assists in preparing project presentations, manuscripts, progress reports, and human subjects annual reviews/amendments.
• Monitors and sets up any needed equipment. Maintains inventory, and orders supplies when necessary.
• Assists with the production of patient education material, research newsletters, development of web content and online project communication.
• Ensures on-going data integrity for projects by overseeing data collection and recording, helps ensure fiscal solvency. Performs data analysis and QA/QC data checks.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.