Clinical Research Assistant

General Summary

This Clinical Research Assistant position at Boston Children's Hospital offers an incredible opportunity to build research and project management skills that will benefit any future career path, especially those interested in a future in medicine or clinical work.

The research assistant will work closely with multiple pediatric otolaryngologists, with their research primarily focusing on laryngeal pathologies and voice abnormalities in the pediatric population. They may also be responsible for other projects focusing on a variety of topics, including simulation or global health in relation to pediatric otolaryngology.

This position offers applicants significant education on the research process, database creation and management, statistics, and manuscript writing. It likewise offers opportunities to collaborate with a diverse group of medical professionals and to attend medical conferences within the department and nationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage multiple clinical and basic science research projects at once. Navigate electronic medical record systems (PowerChart and Epic) used at Boston Children's Hospital, and gain medical knowledge if desired. Use REDCap Electronic Data Capture service to create easily accessible yet secure online databases.
• Read through patient charts/medical documentation to collect data and enter data into database. Screen, recruit, and obtain informed consent from eligible patients and families during clinic visits for enrollment in prospective studies, ensuring compliance with IRB and HIPAA standards. Monitor data collection for quality and HIPAA compliance.
• Consult with clinical teams as well as research support staff to meet study goals and protocol requirements.
• Participate in collaborative projects and initiatives. Perform basic statistical analysis on data, with opportunities to learn more advanced statistical programming if desired. Work closely with the department's biostatistician to create and prepare data.
• Draft, manage, and review Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) study protocols.
• Collection, statistical reports, and analytical summaries for distribution to research team for review and analysis. Prepare abstracts and manuscripts for submission to medical journals and national conferences. Perform other miscellaneous administrative duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Work requires a Bachelor's degree in an appropriately related discipline, preferably in a Life, Health, or Social Sciences field. New/recent college graduates with an interest in pursuing a future career in medicine are desirable.

Experience

• Analytical and statistical skills necessary to gather and interpret data.
• Well-developed communication skills in order to manage projects with people across many different professions.
• Well-developed organizational skills in order to manage multiple projects at various stages of completion.
• Advanced writing skills for preparing IRB submissions, writing abstracts, and drafting manuscripts.
• Willingness to have direct contact with animals on basic science projects
• Must be able to work autonomously.

Other requirements

• Employees are expected to live locally and come in as necessary. Work on retrospective studies is primarily remote, while prospective studies require in-person work at either the Longwood Boston or Waltham campus to recruit and consent patients and to collect study data.
• A two-year commitment to the position is preferred, but one-year commitments will also be reviewed and considered.