Clinical Research Assistant

Summary:

Under the general supervision of the laboratory director Dr. Carskadon and the daily direct supervision of the project coordinator the role of the Sleep Research Assistant (SRA) is to perform a variety of duties including form preparations various recruitment duties interactions with participants and their families and other duties necessary to perform research projects. Other duties include work on research projects that will include direct contact with participants e.g. preparing participants for overnight studies and working with the participant during in-lab sessions.

 

Responsibilities:

It is essential that the SRA be comfortable working with and interacting with research participants and their families. Participants can include children adolescents and adults. Information that the SRA comes across and/or collects must at all times remain confidential and respected. Confidentiality accuracy and meticulous attention to detail are essential for this position.

This full-time SRA position in our sleep research lab includes a variety of duties undertaken in performing our research projects. These duties include: attending study planning meetings preparing and maintaining lab equipment for in- lab studies (organizing protocols forms supplies performance batteries and so forth in advance of study); performing the application of various polysomnographic equipment (EOG EEG EKG EMG etc.) while ensuring procedures are performed according to the research protocol; perform physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments in a timely manner; monitoring electrophysiological recordings ensuring the safety of the participants and integrity of the data (identifying and correcting artifact documenting sleep stages and body position and other observations in order to interpret polysomnographic results); downloading and properly archiving polysomnographic data following sleep recording; participating in data entry and error checking. Scoring sleep/wake stages and physiological events (eye movements arousals etc.) utilizing the Rechtschaffen and Kales (R&K) standards is another key responsibility.

This position requires someone with exceptional �people skills� in addition to enthusiasm organization creativity and determination. This position also requires working efficiently in a time-sensitive environment applicant must exhibit exceptional time-management skills. A flexible schedule necessary as studies often require working hours early in the morning late into the night and on weekends. Personal transportation is necessary since the SRA must sometimes pick up equipment or participants from their homes.

The SRA although usually assigned to a specific project also assists other teams when projects require additional attention. At times orientation sessions or laboratory tours with participants and families may require extended or weekend hours.

 

Other information:

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor�s level degree in any of the life sciences.

EXPERIENCE:

 Experience working with human volunteers and human participant recruitment. Experience working with physiological recordings (EKG EEG etc.) is a plus. Familiarity with data/data file management computer data management programs and Macintosh computers is a plus. Additional training is provided.

 

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to supervisor where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

 Assist in training of research students and summer apprentices. The SRA will also supervise research students and summer apprentices during in-lab data collection (ensuring that procedures are performed according to research protocol supervise participant and tech interactions monitoring equipment and providing assistance when needed). 

 

Lifespan is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status.   Lifespan is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

 

Location: Bradley Hospital USA:RI:East Providence

 

Work Type: Full Time

 

Shift: Shift 1

 

Union: Non-Union