Research Assistant I (Bilingual) – BWH Preventive Medicine
General Summary/ Overview Statement:
Works closely with the Principal Investigator’s Project Manager to gather data on two important observational research studies involving the identification of novel risk factors for coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death among men and women. The research is being performed in large-scale cohorts within the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham & Women’s Hospital including the Physician’s Health Study, Women’s Health Study, Women’s Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study, Nurses Health Study, VITAL and the PRE-DETERMINE Study.
The role of the Research Assistant is to aid in the coordination of all aspects of endpoint documentation from beginning to end, which involves numerous unified procedures such as contact participants and family members by mail and phone to collect essential questionnaires, consent forms, medical records, death certificates, autopsy reports, and other documents necessary to validate study endpoints. In addition, this position also includes assisting multi-center sites throughout North America, which are participating in the PRE-DETERMINE study by responding to study related inquires.
Other responsibilities include: participating in operational staff meetings and preparing Institutional Review Board (IRB), grant and manuscript submissions.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responds to incoming telephone calls, emails and written correspondence from study participants, contacts, and next-of-kin, then documents these interactions by completing and processing the appropriate forms and enters summary information into electronic participant files.
- Coordinates the mailing of study endpoint(s) form letters, questionnaires and consent forms to the participants and/or next-of-kin and follows up with non-respondents via telephone.
- Coordinates the mailing of medical record requests to the medical facility where the participant was treated and follows-up with non-respondents or if additional records are needed via telephone.
- Screens deaths that are reported in multiple studies. Identifies potential sudden cardiac death cases based on history of cardiovascular disease, ICD-9 codes 410-429, and/or information from death certificate, family members, and medical records.
- Coordinates the mailing of questionnaires to the designated next-of-kin of participants whose deaths may have been sudden. Performs sensitive telephone interviews with family members to gather more information regarding circumstances surrounding death or if next-of-kin requests a telephone call instead of a questionnaire.
- Creates, organizes and maintains participant files for review by the study investigators, once records have been received, as well as update endpoint database(s) to track all aspects of the follow-up process.
- Reviews, scans, and verifies completed data forms, as well as rectifies data discrepancies.
- Uses all available resources (i.e. internet and enrolling site) to locate participant, next-of-kin, and/or contacts to confirm contact information and/or collect study data.
- Aides in all aspects of PRE-DETERMINE clinical site activities, by responding to study related inquires via phone and email.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- BA / BS Degree
- Strong knowledge of word-processing and operating computer software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Access preferred.
- Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
- Research experience preferred.
- Familiarity with ICD coding and classification schemes considered a plus.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
Skills/ Abilities/ Competencies Required:
- Ability to work well in a team, as well as independently.
- Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and set deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Careful attention to detail.
- Computer literacy and word processing skills.
- Ability to demonstrate professionalism and respect for subject’s rights and individual needs.