What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Coordinator position at Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois?
Research Coordinator
SUMMARY: Coordinates the conduct of clinical research protocols/projects with an emphasis on the screening, enrolling, and monitoring of patient candidates/participants.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Major Responsibilities:
- Performs clinical and administrative coordination of sponsored clinical trials, research protocols/projects, and biospecimen collection studies, as applicable. Provides guidance to physicians, clinical staff and research team members.
- Coordinates assigned research studies in collaboration with other team members and key stakeholders, including but not limited to; study start-up, review of study CTA/budget/CTMS, IRB submissions, recruitment, screening, and enrollment of research subjects, development of mechanisms to maximize subject adherence to the research protocol, maintain source documentation, data collection (i.e. development, completion and submission of case report forms (EDC), study drug/device accountability, monitoring of subjects, AE/SAE reporting, study close out, and facilitates quality assurance inspections and audits. Acts as a liaison between sponsor and investigators and as the primary protocol/project contact for team members and clinical staff.
- Plans, develops and implements educational plans to disseminate protocol/project information with research staff, investigators and clinical staff. Reviews protocol amendments and updates, research related orders (in collaboration with Investigational Drug Services), and study-specific workflows.
- Ensures that laboratory requirements are being met for specimen procurement, proper collection, processing and shipment of specimens.
- Serves as Primary Research Coordinator on studies across multiple sites guiding research team members involved in the study and coordinates and tracks research activities across sites.
- Coaches and mentors research team members and other personnel. Assist with implementation of educational training plans including orientation.
- Maintains competency in research computer applications Attends and participates in educational programs, meetings, and assigned committees.
- Licensed nurses will utilize advanced assessment skills to identify patient care problems, provide professional nursing care to research patients and support Research Coordinators in performing nursing activities as needed.
- Professional Communication
- Maintains confidentiality in matters relating to all aspects of employment, including patient/family/significant other confidentiality.
- Interacts with patients/family/significant others with a variety of developmental and sociocultural backgrounds in appropriate manner.
- Provides information to patients and family/significant others that reduces anxiety and conveys an attitude of acceptance, sensitivity and caring.
- Maintains professional relationships and conveys relevant information to other members of the health care team.
- Internal Contacts: Physicians, nurse practitioners, other RNs, LPNs, Medical Assistants, laboratory staff, pharmacy staff, secretaries, scheduling, billing representatives, etc., and staff at other CCSI facilities.
- External Contacts: Research, home health care, hospice, blood banks, hospitals, same day surgery, x-ray departments, couriers, pharmacies, laboratories, floor nurses, other provider offices, etc.
- Communicates and coordinates with other healthcare professionals to obtain and follow through on provider orders, such as blood orders, occupational therapy, physical therapy, medical equipment, etc.; Hospice consults; case management, such as pre-certifications for drugs or tests; and, provider referrals.
- Relays information appropriately over computers, telephones, facsimiles, pagers, and other communication devices, and follows-through as needed.
- Maintains and prioritizes messages, gathers appropriate information needed to respond (such as patient chart, lab results, etc.), communicates appropriate information to providers, and follows-through on provider orders and requests as needed. In provider’s absence, checks and assesses provider messages regularly and addresses as needed.
- Initiates / coordinates with insurance companies to obtain pre-certifications and pre-authorizations for patients’ medications and procedures.
- Will be proficient on the electronic medical records system and accurately and completely document patient information utilizing the system.
- Teamwork
- Works collaboratively as a health care team member.
- Reports on patient conditions as needed to those who require information, including providers, supervisors, and other professional staff as appropriate while maintaining patient confidentiality.
- Assists with tasks necessary for the general operation and organization of the Nursing unit.
- Maintains positive attitude with patients, family/significant others and coworkers.
- Professional Development
- Attends staff meetings and mandatory in-services.
- Participates in continuing education opportunities and maintains licensure.
- Maintains necessary certification(s) and licensure(s).
- Contributes to the quality of patient care and participates in quality improvement initiatives.
OTHER DUTIES: Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS:
Qualifications
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:
- None Required.
- Education Required:
- Bachelor's Degree in Biology, or
- Bachelor's Degree in Health Science, or
- Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Nursing or related field.
- Experience Required:
- Typically requires 2 years of experience in Research.
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
- Knowledge of Good Clinical Practices, International Conference of Harmonization, FDA Guidance documents, Department of Health and Human Services regulations, standard operating procedures.
- Ability to successfully conduct and manage a research study.
- Ability to mentor team members and to prepare training plans. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational and time management skills with ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Ability to problem solve and work independently with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Must be able to establish a good rapport with patients, investigators and sponsors.
- Competency in using Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Microsoft Office Suite, and other computerized programs
- Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
- Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders and twist throughout shift.
- Must have functional sight and hearing.
- Ability to function in a latex environment. May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids on a continuous basis; therefore, protective clothing (i.e., gown, mask, goggles, gloves, etc.) must be worn as necessary.
- Exposed to a normal office environment.
- Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
- Position may require travel among sites and therefore there is exposure to road and weather conditions.
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties
BENEFITS:
- Health insurance
- HSA Option
- Dental insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Sick Time
- Vision insurance
- 401(K) w/ match & profit sharing
- Life Insurance
- Short- & Long-Term Disability
