"Behavioral Health Research Specialist"

Job Description Summary

The Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center is seeking a Behavioral Health Research Specialist to support a clinical trial examining the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of a remotely-delivered Coping Skills Training (CST) intervention for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their families. Psychological distress frequently co-occurs with COPD, significantly impacting patient well-being and clinical outcomes. Designed to alleviate distress in outpatients with COPD and their families, the CST intervention draws from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other therapeutic modalities. The Behavioral Health Research Specialist will have primary responsibility for delivering the CST intervention, which will be delivered by phone or videoconferencing with patients and their informal family caregivers. They will also join and be an important part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving the lives of those facing serious illnesses including improving health equity and access to high-quality, family-centered care. Joanna Hart, MD, MSHP, is the principal investigator and provides faculty leadership for this team. Reporting to the principal investigator, the Behavioral Health Research Specialist will be instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the trial. The Behavioral Health Research Specialist will undergo training provided by the clinical psychologist who previously co-developed and has now adapted the intervention for this study. Their duties will include completing training to conduct psychological risk assessments; administering these assessments to tentatively eligible and enrolled participants; and ensuring intervention fidelity by recording select sessions for review. They will support additional study activities as needed, including recruitment, survey administration, and distributing participant payments. They will participate in regular supervision sessions with a clinical psychologist. They will collaborate closely with the study's project manager, clinical research coordinators, and other external health system partners.

Schedule: While most of this work will be completed during traditional business hours, the employee will provide limited evening and/or weekend hours to accommodate the schedules of the participants unable to meet during typical business hours.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct CST sessions via phone or video, including during weekend and/or evening hours as necessary based on participant availability
• Complete training for CST intervention and psychological risk assessments
• Conduct psychological risk assessments with tentatively eligible and enrolled participants
• Ensure fidelity to intervention by logging field notes, recording selected sessions, and reviewing colleagues' recordings
• Participate in regular supervision sessions with a clinical psychologist
• Support assigned study activities, including recruitment support, survey administration, distributing participant payments, and maintaining required documentation
• Participate in team meetings
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 4 to 6 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required, in a clinical, research, or behavioral health-related field are required. A Master's of Social Work, Registered Nurse, or Bachelor's in Nursing with a behavioral focus is highly desirable.
• A native Spanish speaking candidate with bilingual English fluency is preferred but not required.
• Candidate must be open to working some evening and/or weekend hours as needed based on participant availability.
• Candidates must also be very comfortable spending a majority of time working directly with patients and/or family members experiencing psychological or emotional distress. They must be willing and able to conduct psychological risk assessments with these participants following training, and with ongoing support, from a clinical psychologist.
• They must be detail-oriented, possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills-especially when working closely with diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals-and be highly organized. Strong computer skills are essential.
• The ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks to achieve collective goals is crucial.
• Position contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$62,000.00 - $62,000.00 Annual Rate

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay