Clinical Research Coordinator Associate

Clinical Research Coordinator for Cognitive Aging, Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease

Do you want to help Stanford University develop world-leading research to better diagnose and treat people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer’s disease?

If you…

• Enjoy working directly with patients and their families
• Are exceptionally organized and can balance multiple projects at one time
• Love learning new skills, such as how to administer neurological and memory tests.
• Are a proven quick learner who doesn’t need handholding to get started

Then we offer…

• The opportunity to contribute to understanding Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
• Challenging but positive environment where you will always learn new things
• Teamwork and camaraderie
• Competitive full-time salary
• Excellent Stanford benefits

The Poston Lab recruits and follows older normal adults; older adults with mild cognitive impairment; and patients with Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Alzheimer’s disease, and related disorders.  These studies collect information on memory and other mental abilities, which we link with brain imaging, biochemical and genetic markers, and autopsy results.  Most research participants will have Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Alzheimer's disease, or another neurodegenerative disorder; some participants will be not have any impairment.    

The Poston Lab seeks a full-time Clinical Research Coordinator Associate.  The desired candidate is self-motivated, detail-oriented, relatively independent, patient, punctual, and conscientious, with excellent interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills in English. Preference will be given to qualified candidates, who are also native/fluent in Spanish (written and verbal). Under the supervision of Dr. Poston and other investigators at the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), main duties include in-person and telephone recruitment of research participants; obtaining informed consent; scheduling and coordination of research participant visits; maintaining longitudinal contact with participants by phone, email and other means; data collection (including psychometric data), scoring, and data entry.  Training will be provided to administer research questionnaires and administer psychometric tests.

We like working with other smart, motivated, fun people looking to better the lives of our patients through scientific discovery.  In addition to submitting your on-line resume, please include a cover letter describing your prior clinical research experience and the top five attributes or experiences that make this the right job for you. For more information about our lab and research, please see http://neurology.stanford.edu/labs/postonlab/

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish desired 
• Prior experience with patients or research subjects is desired. Preference given to applicants with previous experience, particularly clinical research experience, with older adults who may have neurological impairment (e.g., Parkinson’s disease) or cognitive impairment (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease). 
• Ability to communicate clearly and empathetically with research participants and their families.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work easily with research participants and research team members.
• Strong general computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with computer spreadsheets and database software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
   

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat and use fine light/fine grasping. 
• Occasionally sit, reach above shoulders, perform desk based computer tasks, use a telephone and write by hand, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
• Rarely kneel, crawl, climb ladders, grasp forcefully, sort and file paperwork or parts, rarely lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh 40 pounds or more.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Occasional evening and weekend hours.
 

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
   

Core Duties:

• Serve as primary contact with research participants, sponsors, and regulatory agencies. Coordinate studies from start-up through closeout.
• Determine eligibility of and gather consent from study participants according to protocol. Assist in developing recruitment strategies.
• Coordinate collection of study specimens and processing.
• Collect and manage patient and laboratory data for clinical research projects. Manage research project databases, develop flow sheets and other study related documents, and complete study documents/case report forms.
• Ensure compliance with research protocols, and review and audit case report forms for completion and accuracy with source documents. Prepare regulatory submissions and ensure Institutional Review Board renewals are completed.
• Assemble study kits for study visits, monitor scheduling of procedures and charges, coordinate documents, and attend monitoring meetings with sponsors, acting as primary contact.
• Monitor expenditures and adherence to study budgets and resolve billing issues in collaboration with finance and/or management staff.
• Interact with the principal investigator regularly, ensuring patient safety and adherence to proper study conduct.
• Ensure essential documentation and recording of patient and research data in appropriate files per institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in monitor visits and regulatory audits.
   

Minimum Education and Experience

Two-year college degree and two years related work experience or a bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of related education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
   

Certificates and Licenses Required

Society of Clinical Research Associates or Association of Clinical Research Professionals certification is preferred.

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Drivers License Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's License.

• Ability to drive day or night.

• When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.