Clinical Research Coordinator I, Neurology

Clinical Research Coordinator I - Neurology Department - Cognitive and Memory Division

Department Summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of the 10 best large employers in the United States and among the top 5 of healthcare employers, according to the America's Best Employers 2022 list compiled by Forbes. UTSW is also ranked as the top healthcare employer for diversity in the US according to the America's Best Employers for Diversity 2022 list compiled by Forbes and Statista; and we are the only healthcare institution listed among the top 20 employers nationally.

The Department of Neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center is a nationally recognized leader in the comprehensive management of neurological conditions. Our vibrant department comprises more than 75 full-time faculty in 12 subspecialty sections, supporting a spectrum of complex and innovative approaches to neurological care, a broad range of novel research programs, and a panoply of educational opportunities for trainees. The department offers access to the latest innovative treatments in one of the most rapidly advancing fields of medicine and features an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center and a Level-4 NEAC Epilepsy Center. Through collaborations with the O'Donnell Brain Institute, the department is building state-of-the art facilities for drug and device testing and bringing current and new faculty together for collaborative research on brain disease therapy.

Position Summary & Preferred Qualifications/Experience

The Cognition & Memory section within the Department of Neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center is seeking a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC). Working independently under the Principal Investigator, the CRC will be responsible for carrying out clinical research studies, including but not limited to participant recruitment and enrollment, scheduling study visits, carrying out study procedures, data collection and transfer to data repositories, and maintaining study records. The CRC must be able to work in a multidisciplinary clinical team, display a high degree of initiative, and have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.

Competencies Required

• Experience and knowledge of regulatory aspects of clinical research.
• Must have a professional demeanor and a strong commitment to patient confidentiality.
• Ability to interact comfortably and respectfully with older adults and cognitively impaired research participants in a medical research environment.
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and being a team player.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a detailed and well-organized record of research performed and results obtained.
• Ability to focus, work independently, and regularly seek feedback on job performance.
• Ability to establish priorities and balance demands of multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Flexibility and willingness to shift focus and help where needed, to achieve goals across multiple ongoing research studies.
• Must be able to identify problems and develop solutions.

Candidates are preferred if he/she can demonstrate the following qualifications/experience:

• Experience working with older adults and cognitively impaired individuals is preferred.
• A two-year commitment is strongly preferred.
• Fluent in both English and Spanish

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's or higher degree in medical or science related field and one-year clinical research experience.
• May consider additional years of experience or advanced degree in lieu of education or experience, respectively. ACRP or SOCRA certification a plus.
• A Heart Saver for non-licensure or BLS for Licensure may be required based on research study protocols or affiliate location requirements.

Job Duties

May perform some or all the following:

• Mastery of study protocols, and obtain training and certification where needed to carry out study procedures.
• Assist study physicians with review of medical records to screen and identify potential research participants.
• Directly interacts with clinical research participants, as required, for the research study (non-clinical and clinical procedures).
• Interacts via telephone, telehealth, email, or in person.
• Recruitment and retention of research participants for clinical studies (includes obtaining written informed consent, serving as the primary contact for study participants, scheduling study visits, and tracking participants throughout the study). Screens, recruits, enrolls, and follows subjects according to research protocol guidelines.
• Coordinates regulatory documentation for research studies that includes maintaining information to comply with industry standards, University policies, FDA requirements or other hospital policies.
• May also submit amendments and continuing review documents.
• Generate participant-related study data, including but not limited to: administering clinical questionnaires; administering cognitive testing; obtaining vital signs and other physical measurements; performing blood draws; processing and shipping blood samples; and assisting with MRI acquisition.
• Accurate and timely entry of clinical research data into the assigned clinical trial management system, electronic medical record, and/or other required data entry systems.
• Maintains required subject documentation for each study protocol.
• Attend regular meetings with the Principal Investigator and other team members to discuss study progress and challenges.
• Assist with the preparation of Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and related documents regarding the protection of human subjects, including maintenance of study binders with study records
• Monitors patient safety by reviewing records and ensuring appropriate reporting per protocol and HRPP standards
• Take on additional tasks and responsibilities as requested

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Work requires knowledge of basic and clinical research terminology, regulations, and procedures.
• Work requires strong computer skills (spreadsheets, databases, and interactive web-based software).
• Work requires ability to communicate effectively with various levels of internal and external contacts.
• Work requires ability to work with confidential information on daily basis
• Proactively works to maximize results of the team and organization
• Follows and understands the regulations for Protected Health Information (PHI)
• Work requires good communication skills.
• Work requires the ability to problem solve.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code •51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.