Research Assistant II, General Internal Medicine (BHEAT)

The Research Assistant II (RA2) will participate in multiple clinical studies as approved by the grant(s). The RA2 will oversee the administrative aspects of the grant and interact with study subjects, clinical research coordinators, study investigators, work study students and other research staff. Duties include but are not limited to, assisting with patient recruitment, scheduling study visits, administering questionnaires, creating and filing case report forms, entering and updating data, maintaining databases, running reports, storing samples, and performing other administrative tasks in support of the clinical studies. The RA2 maintains contact with the participating sites to insure complete and timely data collection, maintains patient profiles, assists with documenting financial and budgetary needs of the grant, and supports the research team with the preparation of data and other reports. Oversees work of Research Assistants, along with training and orientation. Develops and implements patient recruitment strategies and changes to study protocols.

Position: Research Assistant II, GIM (BHEAT Study)

Location: Boston, MA

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Hybrid

ABOUT BMC:

At Boston Medical Center (BMC), our diverse staff works together for one goal — to provide exceptional and equitable care to improve the health of the people of Boston. Our bold vision to transform health care is powered by our respect for our patients and our commitment to ensure everyone who comes through our doors has a positive experience.

You’ll find a supportive work environment at BMC, with rich opportunities throughout your career for training, development, and growth and where you’ll have the tools you need to take charge of your own practice environment.  

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Research Assistant (RA) will support the Boston Hypertension Equity Alliance in Treatment (BHEAT) study, a new clinical trial investigating health system strategies to improve hypertension management in safety net primary care clinics throughout Boston. BHEAT is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and includes a focus on reducing disparities in hypertension treatment and outcomes.

The RA will be a key member of a team focused on daily monitoring and progress of the trial, and will interact with study investigators, project managers, clinical staff, and other research staff. Duties may include a variety of research support tasks, which will provide experience in the design and conduct of clinical trials, health systems research, and health disparities research. The research team prioritizes a collaborative and collegial environment as well as emphasizing professional development opportunities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with collaborators and study staff on oversight of studies, standard operating procedure development and review, and data quality assurance

• Lead systematic literature reviews and summarize key findings

• Organize and synthesize complex data from a variety of sources throughout the study as needed to support project progress

• Assist in development of efficient study processes and organizational approaches

• Develop polished deliverables to convey progress and results of the study, including reports, presentations, posters, abstracts, and manuscripts, contributing scientific insight based on previous experience and independent learning on relevant content and methods

Administrative:

• Assist with administrative aspects of the research study, including maintaining project records and handling routine communication needs of the project
• Assist with the preparation and maintenance of Data Use Agreements, Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, and related documents regarding the protection of human subjects​
• ​Coordinate meetings between the research staff and research sites, including scheduling and recordkeeping

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Academic major in a field related to the research and an excellent academic record preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of relevant research work experience required for candidates with a Bachelor's degree. (With a Master's degree, no research experience is required)
• Candidates should have an academic and/or professional record demonstrating experience and skills in analytical thinking and/or scientific methods.
• Candidates should also demonstrate skill in organization, time management, and both verbal and written communication.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Attentive and organized to ensure research quality and compliance

• Organized approach to balancing multiple tasks, prioritizing duties, and monitoring multiple workflows

• Advanced attention to detail

• Able to adhere to directions, detailed study protocols, and data compliance protocols

• Experience with data organization and reporting

Technical skill

• Sound independent judgement and competence in various research methodologies

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Clear and concise writing

• Careful editing and proofreading

• Skilled in preparing clear, informative, visually appealing written deliverables, including tables, figures, and written documents

Motivated to engage and learn

• Problem-solving approach and learning mindset

• Intellectual independence and initiative

• Interest in and capacity to engage in self-directed learning to gain expertise in relevant research methods

• Interest in health equity, health systems, health services research, public health, health policy, and/or medicine

Communication and collaboration

• Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work with research collaborators, human subjects, and patients in clinical settings

• Clear communication skills and ability to adapt to the communication needs of the intended audience

• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a multidisciplinary team and diverse populations

Additional experience that would be helpful but is not required

• Database design and management, particularly with REDCap

• Data analysis

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS (Responsible for on-call, 24 hr. coverage, etc.):

Work will be conducted in a hybrid environment, with an in-office schedule and the option for remote work days as workflow and performance allows. Office days will typically be at the BMC main campus but may include occasional site visits throughout Boston. Schedule will generally be 40 hours per week, M-F, with some flexibility in specific hours.

JOB BENEFITS:

• Competitive pay
• Tuition reimbursement and tuition remission programs
• Highly subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Career Advancement/Professional Development: Access a wealth of ongoing training and development opportunities that will not only enhance your skills but also expand your knowledge base especially for individuals pursuing careers in medicine or biomedical research.
• Pioneering Research: Engage in groundbreaking research projects that are driving the forefront of biomedical science.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

As the primary teaching hospital for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and BU schools of public health and dentistry, intellectual rigor shapes our inquiries. Our research is led by a belief that skin color, zip code, and financial circumstances shouldn’t dictate health.

Boston Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to Talentacquisition@bmc.org or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans