Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Apply at https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/299079

Be a Tar Heel! A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit: The TEACCH Autism Program began in 1972 as a system of university-based regional centers to serve children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. As part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the program has an active clinical, teaching, and research program. TEACCH operates seven community regional clinics across the state. Each center offers a set of core services along with unique demonstration programs meeting the needs of autistic individuals, their families, and professionals across the state of North Carolina. Also, part of TEACCH are the Carolina Living and Learning Center, a residential/vocational training facility for autistic adults as well as an Employment Services program providing Job Coaching and related services to adults on the spectrum.

TEACCH is part of the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program and faculty are actively involved in student and professional training activities within the state, nation, and across the world. All TEACCH programs are coordinated through a central administration and research unit in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

TEACCH provides clinical services such as diagnostic evaluations, psychotherapy, speech language therapy, and parent support groups. In addition, TEACCH conducts training nationally and internationally and provides consultation for teachers, residential care providers, and other professionals from a variety of disciplines. Research activities include clinical trials intervention and implementation studies.

This position is on-site and is located at the TEACCH Administration & Research Building in Chapel Hill, NC.

Position Summary: This position will serve as a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator within the Self-Determined Participation and Community Engagement research team within the TEACCH Autism Program and Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill under the PI, Dr. Brianne Tomaszewski, for a National Institute of Aging- funded project of a stage 1 clinical trial of a physical activity intervention for adults with intellectual disability. The Senior Clinical Research Coordinator is responsible for the planning, organization, conduct, and evaluation of multi-faceted clinical research protocols, including study execution, developing strategies and solutions to improve study processes and execution, providing reviews of other team members’ work products, and serving as a mentor and subject matter expert.

The Physical Activity and EmPOWERment Program (PACE) will involve adults with intellectual disability, their caregivers, and a coach participating in individualized exercise plans using a web-based dashboard for 16 weeks. Adults with intellectual disability will participate in a weekly group fitness class led by exercise professionals at the UNC Wellness Center gyms in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. Participants will be wearing Actigraph monitors for the duration of the intervention. Screening, baseline, and post-testing will involve questionnaires, direct assessments, and interviews. Weekly data will be captured via the web-based dashboard and fidelity coding. A Data Safety and Monitoring Board will monitor this study. This position will provide oversight of the Institutional Review Board, National Institute of Health Clinical Trials, and UNC regulatory processes. This position will also involve assessments with the study participants to support protocol development and execution and training of team members.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the field assigned and one year of related training or experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to work and communicate with diverse populations effectively and professionally.
• Ability to work independently as well as function as part of a team.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of research, regulatory compliance, and clinical trials.
• Experience managing a team and supervising research staff.
• Ability to break large projects into smaller tasks, develop realistic timelines, anticipate and solve problems, prioritize competing demands, and multi-task.
• Experience analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data (e.g., basic descriptive and inferential statistics, coding of qualitative data).
• Demonstrate basic presentation skills at Investigator or team meetings.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and independence are needed in interfacing with staff, Project Leaders, study coordinators, and investigators.
• Technical Competency – displays in-depth knowledge of clinical study procedures and maintains an awareness of the environment affecting clinical research.
• Must exercise good judgment to maintain confidentiality and ensure the integrity of data.
• Must work effectively in a team environment and be flexible to contribute to the needs of the group
• Proficiency in career skills, including strong medical writing and critical evaluation of scientific literature.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• A master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience in clinical research coordination for the National Institute of Health studies.
• Data management (ability to manipulate data collection databases, specifically REDCap).
• Knowledgeable in participatory research methodologies.
• Knowledge of ethical standards and regulations.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

• This position may require occasional travel for project work.