Lead Clinical Research Assistant – Psychiatry Department – Mood Disorders Division

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you’ll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY
The Mood Disorders Division of the Psychiatry Department is looking to hire a full time Lead Clinical Research Assistant to assist with ongoing clinical research studies. The lead Assistant is responsible for ensuring the success of this ongoing study at UT Southwestern, which has consistently been the highest enrolling site since the launch of the study in July 2024. The lead assistant will work closely with site PI, site clinicians and other team members for execution of research project at UT Southwestern. The lead coordinator will also work closely with the study sponsor in address any regulatory issues and with the VA-CSP to coordinate the monthly monitoring visits. The lead assistant is also responsible for coordinating the regulatory activities at the site. In addition, we anticipate that this role may serve as a coordinator on other studies as part of the OBI Clinical Neuroscience Award led by Dr. Manish Jha and other funded studies (as needed) that are operated out of the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care within the Department of Psychiatry. 

The Ideal candidate will have the ability to manage multiple projects, have previous clinical experience in a mood disorders and SUD (Substance Use Disorder) environment, and experience in academic administration.

BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required

• Education
  High School Diploma or
  Associate’s Degree in medical or science related field or
  Bachelor’s Degree or higher in medical or science related field

• Experience
  4 years of experience with High School Diploma or
  2 years of experience with Associate’s Degree or
  1 year of experience with Bachelor’s Degree or higher
  Prior experience in the UTSW clinical research mentoring program is highly desirable, and participation in the UTSW clinical research mentoring program may count as additional experience.

Preferred

• Licenses and Certifications
  (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT may be required based on research study protocol or affiliate location requirements.
  (CPRAED) CPR AED may be required based on research study protocol or affiliate location requirements.

JOB DUTIES

• Assists with participant screening and recruitment for complex trials or multiple research studies at any given time.
• Conducts and documents consent for participants in studies. Develops consent plans and documents for participants.
• Independently corrects and documents incomplete, inaccurate, or missing data for more complex studies.
• Understands visit schedules, criteria and protocol requirements for complex trials; schedules research visits, etc.
• Completes research protocol related tasks.
• Reviews and abstracts information from medical records including eligibility criteria.
• Recruits and enrolls patients in research study that may include consenting patients.
• 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.
• Assists with ordering and maintaining research supplies following university/department procedures, ensuring that equipment is in good working order.
• Assists with collecting and processing specimens following established procedures/protocols.
• 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.
• May perform patient care (basic skills) under the direction of PI following scope of work document.
• 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.
• May provide working supervision or direction of lower level Clinical Research Assistants.
• Performs QA/QC clinical analysis and data checks using various databases based on trial.
• Assists with preparing annual reports and/or modifications to institutional review board (IRB). This may include reportable events (UPIRSO).
• Assist and prepare research records for formal sponsor audits or internal audits.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

EEO Statement
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.