Research Assistant

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 1 year plus 1 day, with the possibility of extension, and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.

Are you passionate about advancing science while helping caregivers and adults with chronic conditions improve their health and quality of life through online wellness solutions? This position in our lab could be an excellent fit for you In this position, the Research Assistant will work under the supervision of Principal Investigators Dr. Puneeta Tandon and Dr. Ashley Hyde, and delegates to organize and carry out the daily operations of the assigned clinical research studies. Dr. Tandon is a Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Dr. Ashley Hyde is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing. They lead a team of graduate students and research assistants on several projects to develop and evaluate patient-centred digital health solutions that enhance care for individuals with chronic diseases and caregivers. The team's focus includes cirrhosis quality improvement ), frailty assessment, nutrition, exercise, and mental wellness therapies. Notably, the team has dedicated efforts to developing and evaluating digital technologies, including web-based programs, apps, and chatbots, to deliver these solutions. See the Folio Article: "Beyond treatment: online wellness program 'a game-changer', say patients", for more information on a recently completed randomized controlled trial involving 825 patients, as well as publications by Dr. Tandon and her team on PubMed. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team and contribute to ongoing clinical research projects in these varied areas.

The position may include but is not limited to: recruiting subjects; coordinating subject research visits;

supporting participant adherence; collecting data via questionnaires and qualitative interviews, maintain proper ethics procedures, and other data-gathering processes as required; recording data in local and shared databases; drafting ethics applications and providing ongoing written and oral communication with the Research Ethics Board; monitoring study progress; assisting with manuscript preparation and submission.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is one of the world's top academic health science centres. With 21 departments, multiple research institutes and centres, and a focus on excellence in education, research, and clinical care, the faculty trains outstanding medical and dental professionals and drives global health innovation in collaboration with partners across sectors.

• Screening, recruitment, and enrolment of potential study participants, including obtaining informed consent. Participant enrolment includes: confirming eligibility, obtaining informed consent and providing the appropriate study subject kit.
• Patient contact, informed consent, carried out according to the International Conference on harmonization guidelines
• Extensive knowledge of ongoing research projects and identifies and determines which patients would be eligible for each project; contacts and schedules appointments with potential research participants. Invite and confirmation notices for meetings are sent out.
• Provides education and counselling to participants on protocol requirements, study treatment schedules, data collection tool use, and follow-up visits.
• Addresses patient concerns and troubleshoots via telephone and/or in person
• Responsible for room and procedure bookings
• Organize and develop patient kits for various studies
• Development, understanding and adherence to Standard Operating procedures (SOP's), International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), Good Clinical Practices (GCP's) and Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research involving Humans (TCP's) and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Assists with Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) submissions, including informed consents and maintains trial related documents
• Assist in the development and maintenance of proper ethics forms, submissions and legal documents
• Liaise with various members of the research group regarding the research projects they are involved with
• Ensures that study participants are efficiently monitored and that safety requirements are implemented as necessary; accurately and promptly reports Serious Adverse Events as dictated by protocol.
• Maintain communication with allied health professionals and staff, ensuring that protocols are followed
• Provides trial-related information to support staff ensuring high-quality patient care is delivered by the team of providers
• Good relationships are developed and maintained with University of Alberta and Alberta Health Service
• Stay up-to-date on new developments/research regarding areas of interest of the investigator
• Manages own time effectively and ensures immediate reports to manager is kept informed of activities and progress of work
• Develops a firm understanding of the research projects assigned to them, carried out to aid in the facilitation of patient recruitment
• Maintain patient records and data collection; ensure data from questionnaires and source documentation sheets are entered into a secure database (paper and electronic)

• Administrative tasks as required

• Minimum Diploma in a related field; BSc or MSc strongly preferred

• Minimum 2 years of experience with project management
• Knowledge of clinical trials, training in Good Clinical Practices Guidelines (GCP) and International Council on Harmonization Guidelines (ICH) preferred, research ethics policies and Tri-Council policies for research involving human subjects.
• Knowledge of Alberta's health system and Canada's health research environment (including the submission of ethics applications and related AHS research agreement process
• Experience in clinical research and/or knowledge translation
• Experience with working with REDCap is a must.
• Strong written and verbal communication, Interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Strong computer skills {MS Office, SPSS, Google Drive, LORIS, NACTRC, REMO, etc.}
• Prior experience with qualitative data collection and analysis
• Knowledge of the University of Alberta policies and procedures
• Positive attitude and the ability to function independently and within a team environmen
• Excellent time management skills and attention to detail
• Open to learning and development and be willing to accept new challenges and assignments is a must
• Previous contact with patients through booking and counselling is an asset
• Experience in web development and JavaScript is an asset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly developed sense of tact and diplomacy; ability to work successfully with a diverse group of people
• Evidence of strong analytical skills, ability to coordinate multiple tasks and projects
• Statistical knowledge is an asset
• NACTRAC research course an asset

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L'Université de l'Alberta s'engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.