The BWH Division of Global Health Equity (DGHE) fosters the support and coordination of training, research, and service to reduce disparities in disease burden and to improve treatment outcomes both at home and abroad. The Division focuses on infectious diseases (e.g., HIV and tuberculosis) as well as non-infectious diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, addiction) and other health problems (that disproportionately affect populations in resource limited settings) of major importance to society.

The hiring research team, Dr. Sonya Shin and Carmen George (co-Principal Investigators) reside in New Mexico and have been conducting research on the Navajo Nation for almost 10 years in close collaboration with Navajo Nation, Navajo Area health facilities, and other non-profit community partners. This team has worked closely with the non-profit organization, COPE Program, for which Dr. Shin served as the founding director.

The Research Assistant will be an integral member of the BWH Navajo-based Program team. Working under the direct supervision of the Research Manager and following established policies and procedures, the Assistant will provide assistance on research, monitoring, evaluation and quality improvement (MEQ) activities. This position will be on-site in New Mexico, full time.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research Assistant's primary responsibility will be to support research and evaluation activities under the direct supervision of the Research Manager.

1. Provide assistance on day to day operations of research activities as per study guidelines and protocols, including, but not limited to drafting reports, implementation, creating community dissemination documents, and communications.
2. Recruit, enroll and evaluate potential study participants. Per protocol instruction, conducts surveys/interviews and/or schedules participants for study encounters such as screening, obtaining consent, delivering the study intervention and collecting data including surveys, interviews, and biometrics. May be required to collect non-invasive biometric data, such as height and weight.
3. Interact with study participants with regard to study, including information about study interventions and/or data collection activities, procedural instructions, and follow-up. May serve as a liaison between participants and early child education staff.
4. Responsible for collecting data and maintaining participant information database for study. This may include collecting informed consent, conducting in-person or telephone questionnaires and facilitating interviews, entering data and doing minimum quality control, analysis and running various reports. Maintain participant records as part of record keeping functions.
5. May be required to input data, complete transcriptions, do minimum analysis and run various reports. Maintain records and ensures confidentiality.
6. Update the program electronic platforms and other program materials. This includes updating study related materials such as powerpoints and 1-2 pagers.
7. Assist with creating and disseminating study information to study participants and/or stakeholders. Interact with stakeholders and study participants with regard to study, including patient education, study protocols, and findings. This includes calling standing committee meetings and scheduling study teams to give reports and share study findings.
8. Assist with manuscript writing and other technical writing needs for the study staff.
9. All other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS or BA degree
• At least one-year experience working in community/public health programming or coordinating research activities
• Knowledge of Navajo culture & language and experience working on initiatives on Navajo Nation.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Excellent interpersonal skills are required for working with study participants and stakeholders in order to assist both internal and external partners and potential partners and sustain ongoing relationships with colleagues.
• Strong verbal, oral, and written communication skills to communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues and research study teams.
• Demonstrated ability to take direction and work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Ability to multi-task with strong attention to detail and adhering to deadlines.
• Ability to understand objectives, interpret information and generate appropriate actions to solve problems.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to learn and work in an environment where priorities change quickly.
• Ability to remain flexible in order to handle and prioritize work from various projects, set priorities and deadlines and adhere to time constraints.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.
• Timeliness.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism and respect for subjects' rights and individual needs, including commitment to confidentiality.
• Interest in and commitment to American Indian/Alaska Native health.
• Experience with community-based participatory research methods a plus.