Clinical Research Assistant I - Psychiatry Department 

Departmental Job Description 

The Psychiatry Department is looking for a psychologically-minded and flexible team player enthusiastic about advancing the understanding of biological, psychological, and environmental contributions to the development and maintenance of eating disorders. Our team utilizes objective measures of social behaviors (interactive video games) in conjunction with biological (MRI) and psychological (office-measures and questionnaires) assessments. The Clinical Research Assistant will coordinate two clinical studies (one foundation, one NIH-funded) evaluating if specific changes in social processing are related to changes in psychiatric symptoms in adolescents with eating disorders. S/he will manage both the administrative tasks (Institutional Review Board protocols, ordering materials, subject reimbursements), recruit subjects, complete assessments on the participants, and oversee the collections and coding of data from each participant.

Major role requirements include data collection and entry, transfer of data to both on and off-site collaborators, and ensuring regulatory requirements are met. The Clinical Research Assistant will prepare summaries of the study progress and the data. Initiative-driven individuals who are able to work independently and collaboratively and hold themselves to high standards of quality will succeed here. 

Experience and Education

• High School diploma or GED with no experience. 

• A minimum of Heart Saver for non-licensure or BLS for Licensure may be required based on research study protocols or affiliate location requirements. 

Job Duties

May perform some or all of the following based on research study:

• Enters data into case report forms or other data collection system based on research study. 

• Assists with maintenance of study level documentation.

• Assists with data queries and possible edits for accuracy.

• Compiles data for regulatory requirements and /or deadlines for local or sponsor submissions.

• Maintains existing databases and ensures data integrity.

• Understands visit schedules, inclusion/exclusion criteria and protocol requirements for routine and low complexity trials (e.g., questionnaire, data registry, scripted); schedules research visits.

• Assists research staff by completing research protocol related tasks.

• Assists with preparing annual reports and/or modifications to institutional review board (IRB). This may include reportable events (UPIRSO).

• Reviews and abstracts information from medical records including eligibility criteria.

• Recruits and enrolls patients in research study that may include consenting patients after training and with supervision.

• Assists with ordering and maintaining research supplies following university/department procedures, ensuring that equipment is in good working order.

• With adequate training and supervision, assists with collecting and processing specimens following established procedures/protocols.

• Assists in preparing studies for closeout, (e.g. packing files, documenting files for storage, shipping extra supplies back to sponsor).

• With adequate training/credentialing and supervision, performs study procedures such as phlebotomy, vital signs, and EKG's needed for research study. 

• Based on research study, other procedures/equipment/services may be required.

• Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions: a) Directly interacting with or caring for patients; b) Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants; c) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records); or d) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting human-subjects research records.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Possess strong computer skills (spreadsheets, databases, and interactive web-based software).

• Follows and understands the regulations for Protected Health Information (PHI).

• Proactively works to maximize results of the team and organization.

• Possess good communication skills.

• Possess the ability to problem solve. 

• Work requires ability to conduct interviews with research subjects.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.