Home Based Biospecimen Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) will perform independently or with general direction at the fully operational journey level of the series to execute, manage, and coordinate research protocols, as directed by the Clinical Research Supervisor and/or Principal Investigator (PI); may coordinate the data collection and operations of several concurrent clinical research studies under the guidelines of research protocols, UCSF and regulating agency policies.

The CRC will coordinate various clinical studies on kidney disease patients. Duties include: enrolling patients in and assisting with execution of 1) industry trials for kidney disease; 2) enrollment of patients in biospecimen banking study from kidney disease clinic; 3) various smaller pilot studies in clinic 4) maintaining IRBs; and 5) other research studies as time permits. Responsibilities for all studies include: schedule patient visits and procedures; maintain accurate research charts and research study binders; perform accurate data collection and data entry; perform patient follow-up visits according to specific research study requirements; complete consent procedures and questionnaires with subjects; participate in research meetings; manage Investigator's protocols in the Committee on Human Research (IRB) online system, as well as renewals and modifications of protocol applications and the implementation of new studies; participate in the review and writing of protocols to ensure institutional review board approval within University compliance; help assure compliance with all relevant regulatory agencies; oversee study data integrity; implement and maintain periodic quality control procedures; interface with departments to obtain UCSF approval prior to study initiation; maintain all regulatory documents; report study progress to investigators; participate in any internal and external audits or reviews of study protocols; and perform other duties as assigned.  Also responsible for creating research accounts in Apex; linking patients to the research study and keeping their research status updated; linking encounters to the study and setting the research billing flag; creating lab orders and medication orders in Apex; scanning and uploading study consent forms into the patient's medical chart; reviewing lab results, current medications, radiology studies, and providers' progress notes for data collection into the research study database. The incumbent will also be required to create and maintain data entry accounts in Redcap and OnCore, the online data entry systems for research. Perform other duties as needed. There may be other opportunities to assist with other studies within the Division of Nephrology.  If the incumbent is a certified phlebotomist, perform phlebotomy as needed.  

Required Qualifications

• HS graduation and sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities; and/or equivalent experience/training. 
• Attention to detail; strong interpersonal skills; excellent, effective verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with subjects, team members, other departments and outside institutions; and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment while working with a diverse subject population
• Ability to work well independently, complete projects in a timely manner, and prioritize multiple projects to ensure the completion of essential tasks by deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency in the usage of Committee of Human Research (CHR) online iRIS IRB system for submission, renewal, and modification of protocols through this system.
• Understanding of patient population to create rapport and a relationship, while also giving insight to what is realistic and appropriate for patient participation.
• Experience with electronic medical records.
• Phlebotomy certification

• Knowledge of UCSF and departmental policies for dealing with reimbursement, guidelines for research, confidentiality and HIPPA regulations, following the UCSF mission statement and purpose for research, and a clear understanding of policies and procedures on patient safety and confidentiality (electronic and hard copy medical records, patient charts, communication, etc.); knowledge of medical terminology, research policies and guidelines, guidelines for packing/shipping infectious substances, database building/analysis, and data management within some of the following:  Access, Stata, SASS/ SPSS, and Teleform programming platforms

% 

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

50

• Identify subjects, develop recruitment and retention strategies, and screen and enroll study subjects.
• Schedule subjects for study visits; meet with them to administer questionnaires, collect medical history and perform study procedures.
• Maintain rapport and relationships with subjects to ensure effective communication and retention; respond to their diverse needs, schedule follow-up appointments, and become their intermediary; discuss study outcomes with providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Obtain informed consent; review information with subjects; assess and advocate for patient safety throughout each protocol procedure.
• Oversee subject reimbursement; work to resolve discrepancies and issues.         
• Work with staff to ensure procedures are completed, specimens properly stored, and required data collected at visits; and ensure correct shipping and labeling measures.
• Coordinate, communicate and network with other studies and technicians to ensure scheduling efficiency; communicate with any affiliated groups.
• Conduct reviews of medical charts and electronic records to extract medical information and other data for use in studies.
• Implement needs assessments and recommendations for enhancements on patient coordination, data collection, data management, protocol adherence and study collaboration.
• Attend and actively participate in regular team meetings

20

• Collect data during subject visits; enter data from visits, procedures, lab tests, and other subject-related participation into databases in a timely manner.
• Manage database structure for each protocol; update databases to improve data analysis and management; create new databases as needed.
• Create and maintain comprehensive data sets as requested by the CRC Supervisor and/or PI.  
• Maintain data collection forms for effective data collection, entry, and analysis.  
• Perform queries and analysis in databases.
• Work with Supervisor to maintain complete and accurate data in the study database; analyze the data as they become available.

5

Quality control procedures 

• Oversee data integrity; initiate assessments of the adequacy of existing policies and procedures on subject recruitment, data collection, and data management.  
• Update and maintain a procedure manual documenting all study-related procedures; help develop a plan to ensure consistency in data collection and data entry.
• Implement and maintain periodic quality control procedures
• Suggest modifications to the administrative infrastructure to accommodate increasing complexity of studies.  
• Modify data collection instruments
• Maintain subject tracking systems.
• Arrange the exchange of and transport of specimens with collaborating Investigators and staff.
• Some specimen processing such as centrifugation, aliquoting, and shipping may be required in some studies
• Oversee the incoming data interpreted from samples and ensure that it is utilized correctly for analysis and publications.
• Ensure integrity and security of samples.
• If the incumbent is a certified phlebotomist, perform phlebotomy as needed. 

5

5

10

Protocol Submissions and Adherence

• Enter all existing and new study protocols into the Committee on Human Research (CHR) online system; seek assistance on maintaining all protocols in the system by communicating with CHR Analysts.
• Design and enhance case report forms and data collection forms as needed; provide manuscript feedback; continue to develop and maintain systems for assuring protocol adherence and data quality.
• Participate in the review and writing of protocols and related procedures to ensure institutional review board approval within University compliance.
• Renew, modify, and submit CHR applications and protocols; ensure that protocol applications are submitted in a timely manner; serve as a liaison between CHR and study Investigators.
• Provide quality assurance checks to note if protocols or UCSF CHR applications need to be modified; evaluate protocols on an ongoing basis and implement improvements as needed.

5

• Assure studies are carried out according to Code of Federal Regulations, Good Clinical Practice, and UCSF regulations.
• Initiate and follow-up on CHR submissions and modifications; track approval status.
• Interface with departments to obtain UCSF approval prior to study initiation.
• Maintain regulatory documents; monitor timelines for data submission; document adverse events and submit to appropriate departments.
• Use sound judgment to maintain patient confidentiality when communicating with agencies, healthcare providers, other studies, and outside departments.
• Participate in and cooperate with any internal and external audits or reviews of study protocols; prepare necessary documentation.

100%