Job Title: Clinical Research Assistant

Description of studies:

Integrating Long-Acting Injectable Treatment to Improve Medication Adherence Among Persons Living With HIV and Opioid Use Disorder (CHOICE) is a NIDA-funded R34 investigation. The first phase of this study seeks to develop, through formative evaluation, a clinical protocol to guide the delivery of combined long-acting injectable treatment for HIV and Opioid Use Disorder. The second phase of the study will pilot test the protocol to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of combined treatment. This study will also involve conducting research in the RI Department of Corrections. The research is completed within the Department of Psychiatry at Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University.

Evaluation of Low Threshold Buprenorphine Treatment in the Context of COVID-19 (ECOS) is funded through the COBRE on Opioids and Overdose and NIGMS. This study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to capture and characterize time-sensitive changes that are occurring to buprenorphine treatment as a result of COVID-19. The research is being completed through the Department of Psychiatry and Division of General Internal Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University.

Job Description:

We are seeking a Clinical Research Assistant (RA) to work 50% on research focused on the development and evaluation of integrated treatments for HIV and OUD and 50% on research focused on interviewing key stakeholders (patients, clinicians, and administrative leaders) to develop a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on substance use treatment. There may be additional opportunities to assist with other NIH-funded studies as needed. The RA will work with Principal Investigator Dr. Kirsten Langdon with opportunities for exposure to co-investigators in psychology, emergency medicine, primary care, infectious disease, and digital health. This could be an ideal opportunity for a recent college graduate who is looking for experiences to help strengthen an application for graduate studies in psychology, medical school, or public health.

Under the general supervision of the Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator, the RA will be responsible for assisting the study team in all phases of the studies, including clinical recruitment in outpatient treatment settings, qualitative interviewing, and follow-up procedures. Study tasks will include, but are not limited to, obtaining informed consent, interviewing participants to gather information, preparing and maintaining study records, contacting participants to obtain follow-up data, entering and cleaning data, performing statistical analyses, and cleaning and coding transcripts. Successful candidates are strongly preferred to have prior experience working with populations diagnosed with substance use disorders and individuals with a history of criminal justice involvement.  It is also strongly preferred to have experience with qualitative research. The RA will adhere to ethical procedures for subject recruitment and crisis protocols. Finally, s/he may be responsible for assisting with periodic literature reviews, and for assisting with preparation of abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations.

Qualifications:

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline
• Highly organized, self-motivated, outstanding attention to detail, and ability to multi-task
• Excellent verbal communication, written communication, and interpersonal skills to effectively   interact with patients, hospital staff, and community members
• Ability to think on your feet
• Excellent analytical and computer skills (e.g., Microsoft suite)

Preferences:

• Background in health sciences, psychology, social work, and/or public health
• Prior experience working with populations diagnosed with substance use disorders, including individuals with a history of criminal justice involvement
• Prior experience with qualitative research (interviewing and coding)
• Prior experience with clinical research and institutional review boards (IRBs)
• Comfort with working in clinical settings (outpatient treatment programs)
• Comfort with conducting research in correctional settings
• Comfort discussing sensitive topics, including substance use and mental health
• Prior experience in substance use disorders intervention research, digital health research, community-based research/engagement, or qualitative research
• Familiarity with data collection software (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics), electronic medical records (e.g. Epic), qualitative software (e.g., NVivo) citation software (e.g., EndNote), and statistical software (e.g., SPSS)

Organization:

Rhode Island Hospital

Department:

Psychiatry

Primary Location:

Providence, RI

Education Level:
Bachelor’s degree

Shift:

Days (40 hours/week)

Application Process:

1. Submit an application to Lifespan (jobs.lifespan.org): Job ID# 36520
2. Send cover letter and resume/CV to digitalhealth@brown.edu