Social/Clinical Research Assistant

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.

Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.

Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

Position Summary

The main objective of this role is to provide direct assistance as a patient navigator to patients who are at a high risk of experiencing medically-indicated or spontaneous preterm birth while supporting the study of this clinical program to improve patient care. Thus, this is a hybrid role whereby the individual working in this role will serve as: (a) a vital link between patients and the clinical care team as a patient navigator / care coordinator; (b) assisting with the study of patient navigation as a tool to reduce stress and improve outcomes among patients at highest risk.

The Care Coordinator's responsibilities will encompass identifying 'high-risk' patients for preterm birth, enrolling them into the 'Prematurity Care Plus' program, and supporting them throughout their pregnancy and up to three months postpartum. A significant aspect of this role involves building a supportive relationship with patients and becoming an integral part of the clinical team.

Outlined below are the specific tasks assigned to the Navigator Researcher:

• Patient Support: Serve as a consistent and accessible point of contact, ensuring that each patient receives the recommended care from their provider; they will act as an advocate for patients.

• Appointment Facilitation: review medical care recommendations from each patient's provider and subsequently aiding patients in following up on these recommendations.

• Medication Assistance: will provide patients with pillboxes, low dose aspirin, and other tools proven to enhance adherence.

• Research support: assist with and support the collection patient data for analytic purposes, with the goal of demonstrating long term sustainability of this and similar initiatives.

The Navigator Researcher's role will involve utilizing specific tools to input data for tracking patients in the program. Additionally, the Navigator Researcher will contribute to the creation of educational materials for patients, including minor website editing.

The role will primarily involve working at two off-site clinic locations, both approximately 2 miles from the University of North Carolina

• Chapel Hill.

Up to 20% of the Navigator Researcher's time may be allocated to supporting the Manuck Research Team with related activities to ensure teamwork and coverage for team member absences. This might involve tasks for other research studies or assisting Spanish-speaking patients if needed, ensuring a smooth workflow within the team.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Knowledge

• Technical:

• Experience working with obstetric nomenclature

• Knowledge of available community resources to address patient needs

• Comfort entering data into secure, online tracking system (RedCap)

• Knowledge of appropriate code of ethics

• Excellent organizational skills

Consulting/Advising:

• Ability to follow protocols and guidelines re: interactions with patients

• Ability to consult with Dr. Manuck and other clinicians re: treatment plans, particularly if charting or documentation is unclear

Communication and Teamwork:

• Ability to listen, understand, and convey information in oral and written form to patients at high risk for preterm birth, their families, and others as applicable

• Ability to provide education of patients and families regarding community resources, navigation of healthcare system

Problem solving:

• Ability to research and brainstorm alternate strategies to obtain provider-recommended therapy or medical equipment if the patient has financial, transportation, or other logistical barriers.

Interpersonal skills

• Evidence of strong interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills

• Ability to multitask, including balancing seeing patients in person and communicating electronically with other patients who do not have in-person appointments scheduled in a given week

• Excellent organizational skills

• Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team

Must be able to work in a stressful and unpredictable environment

The candidate will be required to complete essential UNC and institutional review board mandated training in human subjects research and privacy (HIPAA).

The candidate will be provided with resources in general and high-risk obstetrics and gynecology and perinatal psychiatry as references and also for the purposes of patient education.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Basic Microsoft Office competency (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) is required.

Experience in a healthcare related field is strongly preferred.

Prior experience with EPIC is strongly preferred.

Bilingual (Spanish) candidates are highly preferred, as many patients are Spanish speaking.

Required Licenses/Certifications Special Physical/Mental Requirements Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements Special Instructions Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/278798