JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Manhattan Schizophrenia Research Program seeks a full time Project Support II candidate. The candidate will be involved in two ongoing projects: 1) researching the efficacy of virtual reality avatar combined with Cognitive Behavior Therapy for improvements in persistent and treatment refractory auditory hallucinations in individuals with psychosis. 2) measuring the facial and acoustic digital metrics obtained from a digital recording device of individuals with primary expressive negative symptoms and schizophrenia and compare them with clinician-administered rating scales (PANSS, BNSS, SAS, BARS, AIMS, CDSS), cross-sectionally assessed by blinded and trained raters. The Project Support II will assist the Principal Investigator in day-to-day operations, which involve but are not limited to recruiting inpatients, setting up the avatar-computer connections and troubleshooting, assisting various investigators, psychologists, and research team members with protocol set up, maintaining regulatory records, obtaining ethical approvals, assisting with experimental and technical procedures. The candidate should be proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) and Adobe Products together with experience in virtual reality therapeutic use. The position is ideal for those who looking to gain experience with the scientific and administrative aspects of working within schizophrenia research.

JOB DUTIES:

• Assist in general lab operations (purchasing, inventory maintenance and management, coordination of staff/therapist/volunteer
• Assist with obtaining ethical approvals, training compliance and standard operating procedures
• Assist with aspects of data management/organization and compliance procedures
• Organizing, storing, and maintaining records of research subjects' health status, progress, and other digital or recorded information
• Communicating with other members of the research team to discuss study findings or other relevant issues
• Collaborating with the clinical team in monitoring and documenting progress of study participant
• Preparing virtual reality and computer equipment, devices, and supplies for therapy sessions and monitoring tests during procedures
• Recruiting and Preparing patients for examinations or treatments by explaining procedures and allaying any fears or concerns about the procedures.
• Screen, recruit, and consent eligible research patients
• Schedule consented research patients for study-related interviews, therapy groups, and virtual reality sessions.
• Perform medical tasks such as vital signs measurement, administration of Voices Acceptance and Action Scale, Beliefs About Voice Questionnaire, Voices Power Differential Scale, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals, manuscripts, other professional presentations
• Enter data into case report forms, databases, and spreadsheets and resolve research data queries if necessary
• Prepare documents for IRB submissions and maintain essential documents in Investigator Site File.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree focused on Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology.
• Preferred candidates pursuing a Master of Arts & Science in Psychology or Medical Diploma
• Must successfully complete all online systems training requirements
• Clinical trial psychiatric research experience required
• Competent in the use of technology and digital devices
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Relate well with hospitalized severely mentally ill adults.

Background Investigation/Justice Center Review Requirements:

Prospective appointees will be: 1) Checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment. 2) Screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees whose names are indicated on the SCR may be barred from appointment.

• The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Minority/Women/Disabled/Veteran Employer. VEVRAA 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.

Applications will only be accepted through website at: http://corporate.rfmh.org - Click on Employment Opportunities. Applications will be accepted only during the posting dates as listed at the top of the job announcement.

Questions regarding this position please email: hrprocessing@nki.rfmh.org