Research Specialist Jobs in Tennessee

Quality Medical Research (QMR)
Location: Nashville, TN
Job Type: Full-Time

Quality Medical Research (QMR), a growing gastroenterology-focused clinical research organization in Nashville, is seeking an outgoing, motivated, and highly organized Patient Recruitment Specialist / Clinical Research Assistant to join our team.

This position is primarily focused on identifying, engaging, and recruiting patients for clinical trials. The ideal candidate enjoys interacting with people, is comfortable initiating conversations, and takes ownership of recruitment opportunities without waiting for direction.

In addition to patient recruitment, this role provides regulatory, administrative, and general clinical research support, including data entry, specimen processing, and study visit assistance.

Recruitment is the primary responsibility, but the allocation of duties is flexible and will vary depending on enrollment needs, active studies, regulatory deadlines, and overall research operations. Candidates must be comfortable transitioning between responsibilities as needed.

Prior clinical research experience is not required. We are willing to train the right candidate who demonstrates strong communication skills, initiative, reliability, and a willingness to learn.

About Us

Quality Medical Research conducts industry-sponsored clinical trials across multiple phases, with a strong foundation in gastroenterology and liver disease.

We partner with pharmaceutical sponsors, contract research organizations, and experienced investigators to advance innovative treatments. As we continue to grow, we are expanding into primary care, obesity, metabolic disorders, and other therapeutic areas.

Our mission is to advance medical research through clinical excellence, scientific integrity, and a compassionate, patient-first approach.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Recruitment and Enrollment (Primary Focus)

• Proactively identify potential clinical trial participants using electronic medical records, Inato, approved recruitment platforms, advertising campaigns, and other recruitment sources.
• Review patient information against preliminary study eligibility criteria with appropriate training and supervision.
• Independently identify and pursue recruitment opportunities rather than relying solely on provider referrals or assigned tasks.
• Approach potentially eligible patients during scheduled clinic appointments when clinically appropriate.
• Conduct telephone outreach to potential participants, including patients receiving care at offsite clinic locations.
• Respond promptly to inquiries generated through online advertisements, website submissions, and other recruitment campaigns.
• Explain available clinical research opportunities to patients in a clear, professional, and compassionate manner.
• Conduct preliminary telephone and in-person prescreening using study-specific questionnaires and eligibility criteria.
• Schedule research screening appointments and coordinate appropriate handoffs to clinical research coordinators.
• Maintain organized recruitment lists and consistently follow up with interested patients.
• Accurately document patient contact attempts, prescreening results, recruitment outcomes, and follow-up activities.
• Ensure identified patients receive appropriate follow-up when in-person recruitment discussions cannot be completed.
• Collaborate with physicians, clinical research coordinators, and other staff to support study enrollment goals.
• Track recruitment activity and provide regular progress updates to research leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve patient engagement, recruitment efficiency, and enrollment outcomes.

Regulatory and Administrative Support

• Assist with organizing and maintaining regulatory documents and study binders.
• Support preparation of IRB submissions, protocol amendments, and other regulatory materials under appropriate supervision.
• Assist with maintaining training records, delegation logs, investigator documentation, and other essential study records.
• Help prepare documentation for sponsor monitoring visits, audits, and inspections.
• Track outstanding documents and assist with regulatory follow-up.
• Follow applicable Good Clinical Practice (GCP), HIPAA, FDA, IRB, and sponsor requirements.

General Clinical Research Support

• Assist clinical research coordinators with daily study operations and preparation for participant visits.
• Enter and update information in electronic data capture (EDC) systems, clinical trial management systems (CTMS), and other research databases.
• Assist with source documentation, case report forms, and data entry quality checks.
• Support biological specimen labeling, processing, storage, packaging, and shipment according to study protocols, applicable regulations, and completed training.
• Assist with laboratory kit preparation, specimen tracking, and inventory management.
• Help coordinate patient appointments, reminders, and research visits.
• Assist with vital signs, ECGs, phlebotomy, or other clinical procedures when appropriately trained, qualified, and delegated.
• Provide general administrative and operational assistance to research staff.
• Perform additional research-related responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Confidence approaching patients and initiating conversations in person and by telephone.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and capable of working independently.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and consistently follow through.
• Comfortable using computers, electronic records, and learning new software systems.
• Professional, compassionate, and respectful approach to patient interactions.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and follow established procedures.
• Willingness to learn clinical research processes and assist with regulatory documentation, data entry, specimen processing, and other research activities.
• Flexibility to adjust responsibilities based on operational needs.

Preferred but Not Required

• Experience in patient recruitment, healthcare, medical offices, customer service, sales, scheduling, or other patient-facing roles.
• Previous clinical research experience, including recruitment or participant prescreening.
• Familiarity with electronic medical records or patient management systems.
• Experience with Inato, RealTime CTMS, ModMed, eClinicalWorks, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of GCP, HIPAA, or clinical research regulatory requirements.
• Experience with specimen processing, laboratory procedures, or phlebotomy.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in healthcare, science, business, or a related field.
• Spanish-speaking or bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

We are looking for someone who:

• Takes initiative and actively identifies and engages potential research participants.
• Enjoys working with people and is comfortable building rapport with patients.
• Consistently completes outreach, documentation, and patient follow-up.
• Can manage multiple patients, recruitment opportunities, and competing priorities.
• Takes ownership of responsibilities and works toward recruitment goals.
• Willingly assists with regulatory documentation, data entry, specimen processing, and other research operations as needed.
• Collaborates effectively with physicians, research coordinators, and administrative staff.
• Is eager to learn and develop new skills in clinical research.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Full-time, on-site position in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Regular interaction with patients, physicians, and research staff.
• Combination of office-based work, telephone outreach, and patient-facing activities.
• Frequent standing and walking in clinical areas.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Exposure to biological specimens and other clinical materials.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Why Join Quality Medical Research?

At Quality Medical Research, you'll have the opportunity to help patients access innovative clinical trials while contributing to the development of new treatments.

You'll work alongside experienced physicians and clinical research professionals, gain hands-on exposure to clinical research operations, and develop valuable skills in a growing healthcare field.

We value initiative, teamwork, accountability, and a genuine commitment to helping patients.

If you're outgoing, organized, dependable, and enjoy connecting with people, we encourage you to apply. No prior clinical research experience is necessary, and training will be provided.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.50 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Nashville, TN 37211 (Required)

Work Location: In person