Clinical Research Assistant I- SAFEGUARD

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Clinical Research Assistant (SAFEGUARD) to perform recruitment and data collection for a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to prevent suicidal behavior among service members recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. Performs telephone recruitment of potential study participants and obtains informed consent. Performs data collection by conducting telephone interviews with participants. Connects study participants or potential participants to a crisis line to ensure safety, as needed. Communicates regularly with senior research staff and provides oral and written updates on activities. This is the first of four levels of clinical research assistants and works under the guidance and direction of senior staff.

This position will be in support of the Department of Psychiatry / Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress.

Project Summary: The Suicide Avoidance Focused Enhanced Group Using Algorithm Risk Detection (SAFEGUARD) research initiative will use machine learning and predictive analytics to identify soldiers at greatest risk for suicide, and deliver targeted interventions, trainings, and psychoeducation programs aimed at mitigating risk for suicide and other harmful behaviors. SAFEGUARD consists of three projects - Life Skills, Life Force, and Pathfinding - that will evaluate the effectiveness of three different targeted interventions.

This role will support the SAFEGUARD Pathfinding and Life Skills projects. The Pathfinding project will evaluate a case management intervention designed to support at-risk soldiers following discharge from psychiatric hospitals. The Pathfinding intervention is a 6-month remote case management intervention that combines elements of Coping Long Term with Active Suicide Program (CLASP) and Critical Time Intervention (CTI).

SAFEGUARD Life Skills is an innovative, universal life skills program delivered to Soldiers at their first duty assignment, a critical transition point in Soldiers' careers. This evidence-based training program was designed to build life skills and coping strategies that can protect against suicide, other harmful behaviors, poor work performance, and premature separation during a Soldier's first duty assignment. The intervention combines interactive learning, mobile technology, personalized coaching, and on-demand virtual booster sessions. This hybrid format is intended to help Soldiers refresh their skills and engage with content at their preferred pace and rhythm.

The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) is one of the nation's oldest and most highly regarded, academic-based organizations dedicated to advancing trauma-informed knowledge, leadership and methodologies. The Center's work addresses a wide scope of trauma exposure from the consequences of combat, operations other than war, terrorism, natural and human-made disasters, and public health threats as well as risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviors. CSTS is a part of our nation's federal medical school, Uniformed Services University (USU), and its Department of Psychiatry. These affiliations represent the Center's history, mission and future directions as a major contributor to our country's understanding of the impact of trauma and the advancement of trauma-informed care. Learn more about the CSTS (www.cstsonline.org).

The Department has active research programs in the Basic and Clinical Sciences and Neurosciences. In addition to intramural research projects, the Department maintains active research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Science Foundation, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force. The department has ongoing collaborations with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, is sponsor of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress and provides psychiatry residency training through its affiliations with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center and Malcolm Grow Air Force Medical Center and the National Capital Area Graduate Medical Education Consortium.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Performs research project activities including the collection and organization of data. Follows instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Performs telephone recruitment and informed consent of active-duty service members following hospital discharge.
• Conducts telephone interviews with research participants
• Interaction with study subjects via telephone, email, and text including screening, recruitment and data collection.
• Clearly communicates orally and in writing with other members of the study team
• Follows study safety protocol including conducting "warm handoffs" to crisis line staff and notifying study team members.
• Performs data entry in an accurate, timely, and efficient manner. Maintains clear and accurate data collection and project records, inventories, and logbooks in accordance with Good Clinical and/or Good Laboratory practices.
• Assists in maintaining study databases and files as well as scheduling study appointments
• Performs administrative duties as needed such as assisting in developing and submitting grants, papers and abstracts, manuscripts and presentations
• Complete required trainings in human subject research ethics, suicide prevention, and study procedures
• Educates participants about the research protocol, their roles in the protocols, and any other vital information. Obtains informed consent in a group setting.
• Utilizes content fidelity monitoring checklists to assess workshop content delivery by content instructors.
• Provides administrative and technical support to content instructors during live in-person workshops and remote Zoom sessions.
• Provides coaching/outreach to participants using a mobile phone app according to a standardized coaching protocol.
• Attends weekly supervision meetings with assigned team lead or supervisor.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the study leadership. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for the role.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or higher.
• Minimum of 0-2 years' experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic computer programs
• Ability to follow detailed instructions
• Ability to work remotely with a multidisciplinary research team
• Willingness to conduct participant outreach and recruitment by telephone
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and analytical skills
• Ability to understand and utilize scientific terminology in both oral and written communications.
• Ability to use measurable and verifiable information for making decisions or judgments
• Experience working with military populations preferred
• Experience working with high-risk psychiatric populations, preferred
• Willingness to work high-risk populations that may require crisis care coordination
• Ability to understand and utilize scientific/medical terminology and research theory in both oral and written communications.
• Ability to use measurable and verifiable information for making decisions or judgments; Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background check.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in an office setting.

Compensation

• The hourly pay range for this position is $18.25-$22.00. Actual hourly pay will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.