Specimen Processing Associate Jobs in California

The Center on Substance Use and Health is a research unit focusing on the health and well-being of people who use drugs and conducts studies – largely investigator initiated – on topics like overdose prevention, substance use reduction, and infection prevention. The Research Clinician is an integral member of our team who works on all aspects of our clinical, behavioral, and epidemiologic research including protocol development, training and supervision of research associates, laboratory management, clinical care of trial participants, data analysis, and manuscript writing. In addition, our research clinicians serve as clinical educators, supporting other clinicians and health workers in caring for people who use drugs, managing substance use disorders, and preventing overdoses.

This role involves working directly with people who use drugs in a research setting. A non-stigmatizing attitude and comfort working with this population are essential to the role.

This role is only partly clinical. The research clinician will perform medical histories, physical exams, specimen collection, and medication administration for our study participants along with the assessment and management of adverse events. However, days full of participant care are rare and, depending on candidate interests, more time may be spent developing curricula, educating other clinicians, performing data analysis, and/or writing manuscripts.

This is a temporary, grant-funded, full-time, benefitted position. Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

Pay Range: $69.71- $84.73 per hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
As research clinician for the studies:
• Assess eligibility of participants and ensure all criteria met for enrollment
• Conduct medical and psychological screening and physical exams
• Monitor the safety of enrolled participants including assessment of adverse events and reviewing all lab results
• Complete case report forms for study visits
• Report all Serious Adverse Events to NIH, the DSMB and the UCSF IRB, as needed
• Maintain strong relationships with study participants
• Perform phlebotomy, processing and on-site testing of blood and urine specimens
• Ensure ordering, safe storage, dispensing, and documentation of study medications according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Provide appropriate referrals/resources for medical and psychosocial care, including for newly HIV-positive participants
• Supervise clinical care of participants conducted by research associates
• Share in pager call
• Supervise the training of new staff in phlebotomy
• Perform regulatory quality control activities, which may include: study drug log audits and temperature log monitoring
• Participate in other aspects of initiating and conducting pharmacologic trials, including the following:
o Actively contribute to grant and manuscript submissions: assist with literature review, provide support writing initial drafts of grant or manuscript sections, and provide detailed editing and proofreading of final drafts
o Assist study coordinator in preparing submissions to the IRB, and Investigational New Drug (IND) applications or application waivers to the FDA
o Create study documents and data collection tools
o Develop and implement study specific protocols
o Ensure adherence of study staff to study protocols, SOPs and the principles of GCP
o Contribute to progress reports for the Data Safety Monitoring Board and for funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health
o Communicate and problem-solve with outside agencies such as labs, pharmacies, study drug producers, and adherence tracking vendors. Ensure quality control of study data by performing quality control checks of the case report forms completed by study staff, assessing for completeness and accuracy and adherence to HIPAA rules and GCP
o Correspond with study sponsor and research collaborators and participate in study conference calls as necessary
o Assist with laboratory management, including ensuring proper specimen processing, ordering of supplies, and overseeing quality control checks of lab logs for urine tests, blood tests, and HIV tests

Participate in unit-wide or cross-unit operations including but not limited to:
• Maintain unit-wide Participant Emergency Protocols and ensure adequate stocking of emergency supplies
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings and cross-unit or department-wide meetings
• Participate in hiring processes as needed, including writing or revision of job descriptions, review of resumes, and participation in interview committees
• Participate in training of new staff and provide ongoing training as needed
• Assist coordinators in planning operational details for upcoming and/or proposed trials
• Maintain licensures, relevant clinical expertise, and other required clinical and research certifications
• Other duties as assigned

As clinician educator, if indicated:
• Assist with and/or lead development of curricula addressing topics including opioid management, chronic pain, and substance use disorder management in clinical care
• Deliver trainings to cohorts of professionals who will subsequently train other providers in an “academic detailing” model
• Contribute to further development of the Center and its services.
• Liaise with outside partners as needed
• Contribute evidence-based clinical content to online learning modules, webinars and other presentations

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience
• Clinical experience in substance use disorder treatment, mental health, and/or HIV
• Experience working with challenging participants, or participants with multiple medical and psychiatric diagnoses
• Experience in clinical trials research desirable, but not required
• Presentation and clinical education skills desirable, but not required (including curriculum development, Zoom or other webinar experience, group facilitation)

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
• Possession of valid California Nurse Practitioner License and Nurse Practitioner Furnishing or possession of a valid California Physician Assistant License and current DEA  registration
• Possession of valid BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to diverse communities, particularly communities of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and substance-using communities
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Phlebotomy skills, especially with people who inject drugs
• High level of attention to detail and ability to handle a variety of tasks with a high degree of accuracy

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand Frequently
Walk Frequently
Sit Frequently
Handling / Fingering Constantly
Reach Outward Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally
Lift / Carry Occasionally – up to 50 lbs
Push/Pull Occasionally – up to 50 lbs
See Constantly
Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT
• General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled
• The employee is subject to blood-borne pathogen hazards

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.

All qualified applicants will be considered for this position in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

EEOC STATEMENT
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.