Clinical Research Assistant - Gynecologic Cancer Initiative

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI) is a province-wide effort to accelerate transformative research in the prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship of gynecologic cancers. By leveraging the exceptional talent and rich research environment across British Columbia, the GCI has built a collaborative framework that unites researchers, clinicians, trainees and knowledge users. Our mission is bold and focused: to reduce the incidence and mortality of gynecologic cancers by 50% by 2034. The GCI is powered by the determination, talent, and passion of its people. We believe that through a team-oriented culture grounded in scientific excellence, innovation, and impact, that we can tackle the most challenging problems.

We are seeking a Clinical Research Assistant to provide technical and operational support for a portfolio of clinical trials and other research studies led by investigators across the GCI team. Working under the general supervision of the Research Manager, the successful candidate will carry out a variety of assigned tasks supporting study start-up and ongoing implementation, including participant recruitment, data collection and entry, study documentation, and preparation of regulatory and reporting documentation. This role supports several studies concurrently and involves direct interaction with study participants, patients, research staff, investigators, and external collaborators. The incumbent works within well-defined guidelines and established procedures, exercising judgement in establishing priorities and carrying assigned tasks through to completion, refers new or unusual problems to the Research Manager, and consults with the Principal Investigator of the relevant study on protocol-specific questions.

Organizational Status

The Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI) is a cross-institutional effort based across multiple hospital and research sites in Vancouver, including the University of British Columbia, BC Cancer, the VGH Research Pavilion, the Diamond Health Care Centre, the Women’s Health Research Institute, and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. While the GCI operates across these collaborative sites, the Research Assistant/Technician will be based primarily at the VGH Research Pavilion and Diamond Health Care Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The incumbent reports to and works under the general supervision of the GCI Research Manager, and receives research-related guidance from the Principal Investigators of the studies to which they are assigned. The incumbent provides support to investigators across the GCI team; the specific studies and investigators supported may change over time in accordance with group priorities and the direction of the Research Manager.

Work Performed

• Performs assigned day-to-day tasks in support of ongoing research studies, working within established procedures and timelines
• Assists with the recruitment and enrollment of study participants, including screening for eligibility and preparing and distributing study materials
• Assists with the informed consent process under the direction of the Principal Investigator or delegated study team member
• Administers study forms and questionnaires, reviews clinical and patient records, and records study data using established protocols, case report forms, and standardized techniques
• Performs data entry and documentation in study databases such as REDCap, and maintains source documentation and study files
• Performs routine data quality checks and reports discrepancies to the Research Manager
• Assists with the analysis and interpretation of study data by assembling, compiling, and summarizing statistical and other data
• Assists with the preparation of study materials, forms, and research ethics board submissions and amendments
• Maintains study tracking and regulatory documentation in support of adherence to approved protocols and institutional requirements
• Conducts literature searches and environmental scans, screens and extracts data, and summarizes findings
• Assists with the preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations through formatting, preparation of tables and figures, and reference management
• May distribute work assignments to employees in lower classifications and initiate new employees into established routines, procedures, and the use of study systems
• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors in data collection, data entry, or documentation could compromise data quality, require rework, and delay study timelines. Errors in the handling of participant information could result in a privacy breach requiring institutional reporting. The Research Assistant/Technician is expected to perform all assigned tasks with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and professionalism, to maintain the confidentiality of participant information at all times, and to bring errors or unusual situations to the attention of the Research Manager promptly.

Supervision Received

The Research Assistant/Technician works under the general supervision of the Research Manager in carrying out familiar phases of the duties and responsibilities of the position. Instructions are received during orientation and on subsequent new assignments or changes in procedures. The incumbent works within well-defined guidelines and established procedures, exercises judgement in establishing priorities among assigned tasks, refers new or unusual problems to the Research Manager, and consults with the Principal Investigator of the relevant study on protocol-specific questions. Work is reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established protocols.

Supervision Given

May distribute work assignments to employees in lower classifications and initiate new employees, students, and volunteers into established routines, procedures, and the operation of study systems. The does not have formal supervisory authority and does not carry responsibility for the performance management of other employees.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with research ethics requirements and Good Clinical Practice standards (TCPS2, ICH-GCP)
• Experience in a health sciences, clinical research, or hospital-based research environment
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to carry multiple assigned tasks concurrently and to adjust to shifting priorities
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, Adobe, and Zoom
• Intermediate-level proficiency with REDCap
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion and to maintain confidentiality of participant information