Research Program Assistant II

The Department of General Internal Medicine is seeking aResearch Program Assistant II who will provide essential support in the conduct of research for the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort study and related sub-studies (HIV Cohort Specimen Repository, PROS interview study and other sub-studies as they are developed). This individual must have the capability of effectively communicating with faculty, clinicians and patients for the successful implementation of study protocols.

Main responsibilities will include patient screening, recruitment and enrollment of eligible study participants. They will be required to screen for study eligibility, obtain study informed consent(s), and track enrolled participants for subsequent evaluations and document study participation. Information on participants is collected and data entered into secure-web based applications.

The study activities outlined above will be conducted in the HIV outpatient clinic located on the Johns Hopkins East Baltimore campus. This role reports to Charles Collins.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Function as a staff member within the Johns Hopkins HIV/AIDS Service team and the HIV Cohort Study Team.
• Screen patients for study eligibility.
• Confirm with the patient that s/he meets criteria for study enrollment.
• Consent eligible participants.
Follow the study protocol & procedures for obtaining and processing study interviews and/or lab samples at scheduled intervals co-occurring with patient-provider encounters. Conduct outreach to remind study participants of study appointments and initiate procedures when participant fails to keep appointment. Follow university procedures for cash payments to participants for completed study visits.
• Escort participants to the phlebotomy area who require a research blood draw.
Pass competency exams related to the University’s Research ethics and HIPAA courses. Train in the use of the electronic medical record (Epic) and pass competency exams for use in the study. Maintain knowledge of HIV disease and its treatment through use of a coding manual, mandatory readings and attendance to a yearly course provided for this position. Establish and maintain competency in the use of research databases used by the HIV Outcomes program. Provide accurate and timely documentation into the research databases. Meet weekly with the study team.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred, however a High School Diploma with a minimum of three years’ experience as a research assistant with experience in recruiting and consenting is acceptable.
• Ability to think critically and to ask questions when unsure.
• Must be able to function independently.
• Effective communication and strong organizational skills.
• Fluency in medical Spanish is highly desired.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience in working in a health care setting and knowledge of universal precautions is necessary.
• Previous experience working with HIV infected individuals and understanding of the needs and concerns of persons living with HIV is necessary.
• Many patients with HIV have mental health or active substance abuse disorders and the ability to communicate and show empathy and respect is required.
• A subset of patients have low English proficiency and the ability to speak and read in Spanish is highly desired.
• This individual will undergo standardized testing to quantify translation competency.
• This individual should possess good organizational skills and the ability to make modifications in daily work activities to achieve recruitment and enrollment goals.
• They must be able to take directions from several individuals to accomplish tasks for the day.
• This individual will be handling sensitive and confidential patient information and must abide by the University HIPAA guidelines of strict patient confidentiality. Basic computer skills are necessary.
• This position requires professional interactions with study participants, faculty, clinical and research staff of the project.

Working Conditions:

• There is possible exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous material, pharmacological agents, with little likelihood of harm if established health precautions are followed.

Classified Title: Research Program Assistant II
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC
Starting Salary Range: $14.14 - $19.44/hr (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 8:30-5:00
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM DOM General Internal Medicine
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office atjhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons or because the individual is pregnant or attempting to become pregnant. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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