Research Assistant

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryNon Union Technicians and Research AssistantsJob ProfileNon Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2Job TitleResearch AssistantDepartmentVancouver Spine Research Program Support | Department of Orthopaedics | Faculty of MedicineCompensation Range$4, $5,005.45 CAD MonthlyPosting End DateMay 24, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Jun 2, 2025

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.

This is a 1-year term position with the possibility of extension.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

As a member of the Vancouver Spine Research Program at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), the Research Assistant s primary role is to complete and manage data abstraction for the local Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR) and other spine research studies.

RHSCIR is a pan-Canadian prospective observational registry of individuals sustaining a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). This registry links clinicians, researchers, and healthcare administrators with the goal of improving both research and clinical practice for individuals with SCI. The registry helps to facilitate the translation of research into clinical practice and to promote evidence-based practices. In Vancouver,

RHSCIR is conducted at two sites: VGH and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

Organizational Status

The Vancouver Spine Research Program (VSRP) provides the research infrastructure for the Vancouver Spine Surgery Institute. The Research Assistant reports to the Research Program Manager and may receive direction from Investigators. The Research Assistant will work closely with other research staff and will participate in activities within the VSRP.

The Research Assistant may also work with other Vancouver Spine Surgery Institute team members including spine surgeons, other physicians, and allied health professionals in the Acute Spine Unit and the Brenda and David McLean Integrated Spine Clinic, both located at VGH. In addition, he/she is expected to participate in RHSCIR research activities at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

Work Performed

Completes RHSCIR case report forms by abstracting personal health and clinical information from electronic medical records such as CST Cerner or Patient Care Information System, medical charts, and other available sources. This is completed at two Vancouver facilities where RHSCIR is conducted - VGH and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

Supports data collection on patients admitted to VGH under the Spine Service for the Spine database or for other VSRP studies.

Enters clinical and scientific data into spreadsheets and databases, and manages data for specific studies, ensuring accuracy and integrity. Data for studies are stored in different formats including MS Excel and proprietary web-based software applications.

Maintains research study records in electronic and paper format ensuring that information is accurately completed and appropriately saved/filed.

Organizes research data based on specific requirements of RHSCIR or other research studies and upon consultation with investigators, study sponsors and study coordinators, in preparation for presentation of results or statistical analysis. Responds to data quality queries generated by the study sponsor, as needed.

Communicates with various personnel within the Vancouver Spine Surgery Institute, and with UBC and VCH (Vancouver Coastal Health) departments to facilitate completion of required research documents and approvals, coordinate ongoing research as required and answer inquiries regarding research studies.

Assists with the planning and conduct of clinical research studies by: assisting with completion of study protocols; creating study documents such as participant consent and data collection forms; preparing and submitting applications to the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board; preparing and submitting documents to obtain hospital approval.

Assists with enrolment of potential research participants at VGH (Acute Spine Unit or other hospital departments) and/or at GF Strong by introducing research studies to patients and their families, explaining the nature and requirements of the study, and obtaining consent to participate in research, as needed.

Participates in other initiatives of the Vancouver Spine Research Program, including data quality improvement, and in ongoing training and development as required.

Communicates regularly with the Research Program Manager and/or periodically with Investigators about the status of research projects.

Performs other related duties for other projects, as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research Assistant exercises professional judgment and initiative in the conduct of and in coordinating clinical research studies. He/she will work with the Research Program Manager and with other members of the team to ensure that study procedures are performed consistent with the study protocol, applicable hospital procedures, ethical guidelines and regulatory policies. The Research Assistant is expected to work in a professional manner exercising poise and discretion especially when dealing with vulnerable patients and their families, and with sensitive medical information.

Inappropriate disclosure of research participants' personal information would contravene privacy legislation and could result in legal action. Errors in data, reference materials or publications, if detected, would result in delays and requirements for additional resources to obtain or validate data.

Supervision Received

The Research Assistant reports to the Research Program Manager, however, most duties will be carried out independently following appropriate training. He/she may be given direction by principal investigators and co-investigators. As a member of the research team, the Research Assistant will receive training and guidance from senior research coordinators/assistants, who are more familiar with the program's standard operating procedures and with specific research studies.

Supervision Given

None.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in health or medical sciences.
• Experience in clinical research, particularly in data collection and data management.
• Experience in approaching patients and their families in an acute hospital setting, for the purpose of obtaining consent for research studies and completing required study procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to apply sound analytical skills, exercising initiative, good judgement, poise and discretion while working in an acute clinical environment.
• Ability to listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve.
• Ability to be thorough, accurate and have a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively coordinate tasks.
• Ability to make thoughtful, informed, and thorough decisions.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.
• Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous and effective manner.
• Ability to conduct research interviews to obtain accurate, complete, and relevant information.
• High degree of proficiency in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint; and web-based applications and tools.

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