Clinical Research Coordinator I – Ophthalmology’s Clinical Research Unit

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 Clinical Research Coordinator I (CRC I) position will be based at the Clinical Research Unit (CRU) of the Ophthalmology Department, supporting clinical research activities. In addition to the CRA I responsibilities stated below, the responsibilities include providing patient care by performing ophthalmic examinations including but not limited to taking medical histories, medication reconciliation, obtaining visual acuity, motility, pupils, confrontation fields, refractions, tonometry, speculars, lensometry, performing visual fields, administering ophthalmic drops, BCVA, ETDRS, and other ophthalmic photography including but not limited to Heidelberg OCT,  Optovue OCT-A, Oculus Pentacam, and research related non FDA approved investigational devices. all in accordance with the research protocol. The CRC I will coordinate research studies and trials, support study documentation, and assist with data collection and study-related logistics. The assistant will be responsible for accurate and timely data entry into electronic data capture systems (EDC), maintaining regulatory binders, ensuring equipment certification, and updating patient Electronic Health Records. Additional responsibilities include maintaining HIPAA compliance, managing medical supplies, troubleshooting ophthalmic equipment, and staying informed about advancements in ophthalmology research and diagnostics. The CRC I will also help review physicians’ schedules, coordinate referrals, obtain relevant medical records, and support internal communication through in-basket messages and documentation. This role involves assisting in visit scheduling, maintaining patient records, onboarding new hires, and contributing to efforts aimed at improving CRU workflow and research participant experience. A background as an ophthalmic technician and/or ophthalmic photographer with previous clinical research experience is strongly preferred.

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
  Bachelor’s Degree or higher degree in medical or science related field 
   

• Experience
  1 year of clinical research experience 
  May consider additional years of experience or advanced degree in lieu of education or experience, respectively. 
   

Preferred

• Licenses and Certifications
  (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT Licensure may be required based on research study protocols or affiliate location requirements. 
  (CPRAED) CPR AED Licensure may be required based on research study protocols or affiliate location requirements. 
  ACRP or SOCRA certifiction a plus 
   

JOB DUTIES

• Directly interacts with clinical research participants, as required, for the research study. Interacts via telephone, telehealth or in-person.
• Coordinate regulatory aspects of the trial including maintaining and developing regulatory information to comply with industry standards, University policies, FDA requirements or other hospital policies
• Coordinate and schedule study procedures as per protocol. Approved study protocols which have order sets built may be pended by the non-licensed coordinator with oversight by PI.
• When outside of protocol, presents evidence and provides options (within scope of protocol) to PI.
• Screen, recruit, enroll and follow subjects according to protocol guidelines. May also assist with the consent process
• Maintain and coordinate data collection information required for each study which may also include developing CRF’s or data collection tools
• Assist in developing and implementing research studies to include writing clinical research protocols.
• Conduct study procedures according to the protocol with proper training and check offs to maintain scope of work
• Requires familiarity with research budgets to assist with or develop study budgets. May perform research billing activities, as needed, based on size of department (including linking patient calendars).
• May review and abstract information from medical records for verification of eligibility for trials, as needed based on size of department.
• Monitors patient safety by reviewing records and ensuring appropriate reporting per protocol and HRPP standards.
• Review research study protocols to ensure feasibility
• Assist in developing website or other social media for marketing/recruiting of clinical research study
• Develop proficiency in the clinical trial management system, electronic medical record and other required data entry systems
• Maintain subject level documentation
• 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.
• 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.

EEO
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.