Research Assistant I / Brigham and Women's Hospital / Emergency Medicine
This is a full-time position for someone with interest in emergency medicine and/or clinical research. Working with us as a research assistant is a great way to experience medicine and clinical research. You will be embedded in our clinical work, and will interact closely with patients, nurses, doctors-in-training, faculty, and other staff. You will learn about the scientific, ethical, and organizational underpinnings of clinical research and medicine in general.
You will also have direct access to the department’s Research Director and the Director of Research Operations, as well as our research faculty members, who will mentor you in your career development. You will emerge from this experience with a terrific understanding of how clinical research and medicine works, and your work with us will be an excellent foundation for a career in research and/or medicine.
In summary, this is a position for someone who has an interest in healthcare research and wants to plan a career in research or someone who wants to equip themselves with exposure to a fast-paced clinical environment before applying to medical, PA, nursing, or graduate schools.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Circulate throughout the emergency department, looking for patients who might be eligible to participate in particular studies.
- Observe and practice excellent interpersonal skills that are required to develop professional relationships with the clinical staff, so that they are receptive to research that occurs when they are very busy with routine clinical care.
- Explain research studies to potentially eligible research participants. Obtain their formal informed consent to participate.
- Obtain research measurements, such as blood tests, spirometry (a breathing test), swabs, and survey information. Adequate training will be provided to ensure that the incumbent succeeds in their role.
- Maintain meticulous records for all research-related activities.
- Respond to emails and messages (including group messages) within an hour, always using polite, professional communication. Personal mobile devices would need to be encrypted per Partners’ policy.
- Liaise with study sponsors and hospital committees in a professional way.
- Review medical charts to collect data.
- Enter data into databases.
- Seek guidance immediately whenever unsure about something.
- Be available during the emergency department’s clinical research work hours, 7 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week. During the work hours, research assistants cover the ED in two rotary shifts, morning and evening. Some late-night stays will be required, to follow up on enrolled study patients, but you are compensated for your time. Be prepared to work night shifts if these are introduced into our program.
- Work with a focus on understanding the research machinery to grow towards a role in project management, if applicable.
- All other duties, as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
BS/BA/RN/MS/MD
New graduate with relevant course or project work
SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Excellent interpersonal skills are essential
- Excellent writing skills, with perfect formatting and grammar
- Ability to type well
- Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to communicate with patients from a variety of backgrounds. Speech must be clear and professional. Speech must be easy for patients to understand, including patients who do not speak English well.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks
- Careful attention to detail
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work takes place in the busy clinical environment of emergency department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Also, research assistants frequently follow patients into the hospital, and may collect blood samples or data on hospital wards and intensive care units. The work also involves paper or electronic chart review and data entry.