Clinical Research Associate Jobs in Baltimore, MD

Position Objective: The Clinical Research Coordinator will provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Institute on Aging within the National Institutes of Health. This position will be supporting LEPS Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform the Physical Performance Battery to research participants as guided byexisting policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Assess participant eligibility for these measures; ensure that proper technique for the testing is performed consistently each time; maintain operation of equipment and refer malfunctions to proper personnel quickly for remediation; accurately enter data collected into online system.
• Conduct the Grip Strength test on research participants; ensure that proper technique for the testing is performed consistently each time; maintain operation of equipment and refer malfunctions to proper personnel quickly for remediation; accurately enter data collected into online system.
• Train new staff to ensure consistency and accuracy of physical performance measurements; contractor shall perform annual refresher training and skills update for all medical staff; and, contractor shall maintain physical performance equipment including but not limited to repairs as necessary and annual calibrations.
• Perform Visual Function Battery as guided by existing policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Operate eye refraction machine to assess visual acuity. Assess participant eligibility and ensure that proper technique for the testing is performed consistently each time; maintain operation of equipment and refer malfunctions to proper personnel quickly for remediation; accurately enter data collected into online system.
• Obtain fundus photos by operating the TRC NW400 Non-Mydriatic fundus camera TOPCON, the Optoview Optical Coherence
• Tomography (OCT) machine and/or the Maestro 2 camera with the OCT-A module. Assess participant eligibility and ensure that proper technique for the testing is performed consistently each time; maintain operation of equipment and refer malfunctions to proper personnel quickly for remediation; accurately enter data collected into online system.; accurately enter data collected into online system.
• Phlebotomy and Sample Processing as guided by existing policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Coordinate all aspects of daily operations in the collection of biomaterials on the mobileresearch
• Coordinate the collection of data and materials with the HANDLS physician considering staffing and schedule of participants
• Prepare ID labels for participant visits.
• Enter hematology and chemistry orders for laboratory testing using the Quest
• Diagnostics electronic requisition system.
• Fax daily transmittal order forms to the NIA Clinical Core Laboratory.
• Perform venipuncture to collect blood from participants.
• Process blood, saliva, toenail, skin swab, and urine samples from participants; prepare for clinical laboratory testing or processing and storage for biomaterials banking.
• Ensure clear communication with staff clinician to clarify requests for blood draws; consult with study clinician when insufficient sample is drawn to determine priorities for certain tests, comply with verbal orders on a STAT basis.
• Observe strict “Universal Precautions” during all participant contact when drawing blood and collecting samples.
• Observe participants while performing venipuncture for signs of anxiety, lightheadedness or actual blackout; report any signs of bleeding or abnormal conditions to nursing staff or study physician.
• Perform finger stick glucometer testing and other micro-volume samples that - Perform the Physical Performance Battery to research participants as guided byexisting policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Obtain pulse oximeter reading on select participants.
• Review specimens to ensure they are labeled correctly, contain suitable specimens, and are in the correct quantity and type for the number and type of tests ordered.
• Comply with biohazard guidelines and procedures for the disposal of needles.
• Work with staff on biohazard spill clean-up.
• Maintain competency certification to demonstrate knowledge of all processes
• involved in obtaining and processing participant specimens.
• Clinical Duties as guided by existing policies, procedures, directions, orders, and
• other guidance.
• Obtain informed consent from study participants.
• Perform HIV pre- and post-test counseling.
• Obtain vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, respirations.
• Participate as a member of the MRV Emergency Code Team.
• Perform intake procedures (screening assessments) for research participants.
• Assist needs of participants. Transport participants in wheelchairs from their personal vehicle or the government transport vehicle to and between medical research vehicles (MRVs). Provide support while moving participants on or off examination tables and/or when transferring participants from room to room or between MRVs. For example, participants may require assistance in standing from a seated position; participants will need assistance and close supervision climbing stairs; or participants may require assistance in walking.
• Assist participants in positioning for examinations. For example, participants may need help achieving suitable alignment for bone mineral density studies by DXA.
• Provide patience and compassion in dealing with participants who may be frail, ill or disabled.
• Medically monitor participants for signs and symptoms of distress.
• First aid (including minor wound care) if necessary.
• Maintain all clinically relevant training certificates, including but not limited toBasic Life Support and HIV/AIDS Counselor
• certifications.
• Transport medical documents to participants’ homes or physicians’ offices, as needed, escorted by security.
• Cross-training in other duties to include as guided by existing policies, procedures,
• directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Management of MRV inventory for medical, laundry, and office supplies by
• communicating needs to the Biomedical Research center HANDLS Staff and the Clinical
• Unit of NIA at Harbor Hospital.
• Perform EKGs.
• Prepare phlebotomy room for daily blood draws.
• Prepare tubes for blood collection grouped in accordance with protocol.
• Daily Quality Assessments: glucometer, defibrillator, refrigerators, oxygen tanks,pregnancy test kits.
• Preparation of participant bags: gowns, booties, sheets.
• Administering of the HANDLS medical history using MRVWeb.
• Assist researchers with study testing, observations data entry and other duties associated with study sessions. 3
• Verify study participant information and collect data and results of testing. 4
• Enter data into research databases, systems and applications for ongoing studies.
• Participate in coordination and management of most daily activities of the study and ensure that study activities follow established protocol, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and utilizes approved forms, templates and practices. 1
• Supports clinical staff develop, implement and maintain clinical research data files and materials.
• Assist researchers with study testing, observations data entry and other duties associated with study sessions. 2.
• Work products and documents related to collecting and processing blood and urine samples; perform venipuncture on participants; draw blood for both clinical and research protocols; clarify requests for blood draws; accept verbal orders on a STAT basis as guided by existing policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Work products and documents related to observing participants while performing venipuncture; report signs of bleeding or abnormal conditions to nursing staff or study clinician; collect finger sticks and other micro-volume samples as guided by existing policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Work products and documents related to observing biohazard and epidemiology requesting physician when insufficient sample is drawn as guided by existing policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Work products and documents related to collecting urine specimens; instruct participants; determine validity of tests; compare specimens; operate eye refraction machine; transport medical documents to patients’ homes or physicians’ offices; perform HIV counseling as guided by existing policies, procedures, directions, orders, and other guidance.
• Clean Equipment, Run Validation, Inspect Equipment, and Meet with lab members to present updates

Basic Qualifications:

• Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, and LPN.
• Experienced with Electronic Medical Records Systems and MS Office Suite
• Skilled in Phlebotomy, Administer Visual Function Battery, Administer Physical Performance Battery, and Training clinical trial site staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with non-technical and technical staff
• Detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job, email us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

This position is contingent upon contract award.