Breast Surgery Research Assistant I
Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH)

The Division of Breast Surgery within the Department of Surgery at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) provides state of the art care to patients with benign and malignant breast complaints. Women with benign breast complaints, those with ongoing workup and evaluation of abnormalities and those with high- risk lesions are cared for and evaluated in the BWH Comprehensive Breast Health Center. An important initiative within the Breast Center is the Breast Cancer Personalized Risk Assessment, Education and Genetic Counseling Program (B-PREP).

Members of the Division providing clinical assessment and care in the BWH Comprehensive Breast Health Center and B-PREP program include breast surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and breast medical oncologists with a particular focus on patients at increased risk. In addition to providing clinical care, members of the Division are involved in collaborative research efforts that span the continuum of breast care from prevention to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The goal of this research effort is to set new standards for the evaluation and treatment of benign and malignant breast disease. We now seek a full-time research assistant to work in person with our multidisciplinary team in the BWH Comprehensive Breast Health Center to continue to support and grow our research efforts. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for an individual who is motivated to work with both clinical and research staff to develop and implement research related projects including but not limited to: data collection and analysis via patient centered surveys, coordination of bio-specimen collection, and recruitment for institutional review board (IRB) approved projects and trials. Principle duties may vary over time with grant funding, project demands and programmatic growth.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Working in concert with protocol or trial Principal Investigators and/or Research Manager or designee, to develop and implement patient recruitment strategies.

2. Conduct phlebotomy (blood draw) on research subjects (as needed).

3. Assist with the development, organization, and/or maintaining of study databases. Responsible for data validation, quality control, and data analysis for ongoing research initiatives. Database and processing platforms used include Microsoft Access, Excel, EPIC and Redcap.

4. Assist team in the coordination of project-related activities (i.e., data collection, surveys/interviews, coordination of bio-specimen collection) at internal or external (on site & off site) study sites. May be asked to represent the study staff at external site meetings.

5. Review of patient information for recruitment, screening, and data abstraction purposes, ensuring that patient privacy and confidentiality is protected at all times.

6. Identify, contact, recruit and enroll research participants.

7. Assist with coordination and preparation of project related meetings as requested.

8. Provide research update presentations at monthly breast center staff, B-PREP Core and local-regional research meetings as well as individual update meetings with division leadership. Fluency with Microsoft PowerPoint or other slideshow presentation platform is necessary.

9. Coordinate pilot testing of study and surveys as needed.

10. Conduct relevant literature searches and reviews as requested.

11. Assist with documentation for and communication with IRB and other regulatory staff.

12. Other project-related or administrative responsibilities as requested by management.

13. Prepare investigators with data analysis and manuscript preparation and presentation of study results. May include data consolidation for conference presentations and/or grant proposals/updates.

14. Assist in the development of clinic materials related to clinical trials, newsletters, the Annual B-PREP Fall Forum, etc.

15. Assist with advertisement and attendance for events hosted by the B-PREP staff.

16. Train other research coordinators to cover various research studies as needed.

17. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required (in public health, natural or social science preferred).

• Excellent interpersonal skills, dependable, motivated and willingness to learn new tasks.

• Expected to provide certification showing completion of a phlebotomy training course and will need to be obtained within 60 days of hire; training will be provided by the institution.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to work independently.

• Excellent interpersonal skills are required for working with the study participants.

• Good oral and written communication skills; strong presentation skills.

• Analytical skills and the ability to resolve technical or research problems and issues and to interpret the acceptability of data results.

• Knowledge of clinical research protocols.

• High degree of computer literacy and willingness to develop an understanding of a variety of programs on a personal basis.

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.

• Careful attention to detail.

• Ability to demonstrate professionalism and respect for subject's rights and individual needs.

• Ability to related effectively in-person and on the telephone to diverse groups of patients, physicians, nurses, researchers, children and parents.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Ability to approach projects in a responsible and thorough manner.

EEO Statement
BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.