Research Assistant I, Preventive Medicine

The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial testing a cocoa extract supplement and a multivitamin supplement for the reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer among women aged ≥65 years and men aged ≥60 years. This large-scale trial included 21,442 men and women.

The pill-taking phase of the trial ended in December 2020 and observational follow-up of the study cohort is ongoing. Working under the supervision of the Project Manager, the employee in this position will perform a variety of tasks, including responding to participant questions by phone and email, conducting phone interviews in accordance with the study protocol, clarifying ambiguous responses on questionnaires and correspondence, collecting follow-up questionnaire data by phone, and tracking participants who are potentially lost to follow-up. The research assistant will also assist with processing mail, reviewing data collection forms for accuracy, data collection for study outcomes, and preparing medical records for review by the Endpoints Committees.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Responds to incoming telephone calls, emails, and letters from study participants by providing information about the trial including clarification of the study protocol and methodology. Forwards calls, emails, and letters to the appropriate staff, if unable to respond to the issue.

2.Collects questionnaire data by phone from participants who fail to respond to written requests.

3.Tracks participants who are potentially lost to follow-up in order to re-establish contact and collect study data. Determines vital status of participants if unable to obtain morbidity data.

4.Documents interactions with study participants by entering summary information into electronic participant files.

5.Processes incoming mail and reviews participant self-reports of new diagnoses and medical events. Follows up with participants and/or updates participation status as necessary.

6.Responsible for identifying potential study outcomes reported by subjects and researches each case to determine if the endpoint is a first report or previously tracked.

7.Obtains, reviews, and organizes medical records for review by the Endpoints Committees. Tracks pertinent information from records received.

8.Assists with the operations of COSMOS ancillary studies.

9.Assists the Project Manager and other study staff in the development of procedures to ensure timely, efficient, and standardized responses to study participant inquiries.

10. Assists with similar studies conducted within the Division of Preventive Medicine, as needed.

11. Performs other duties as assigned.

1.B.A. or B.S.

2.Ability to understand the underlying principles of a research study and to apply these principles to day-to-day tasks.

3.Computer literacy.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

1.Ability to work independently.

2.An aptitude for performing detailed tasks and attention to details.

3.Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively and professionally over the telephone with a diverse group of study participants.

4.Excellent reading, writing, and reasoning ability in order to understand and articulate the objectives and methods of a complex clinical trial.

5.Excellent organizational, problem solving and priority setting skills.

6.A general familiarity with computers and knowledge of how to use software programs.