Clinical Research Specialist

at  The University of Chicago

Department
BSD CCC - Biofluids Core
About the Department
The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant provides funding for ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center is comprised of over 190 faculty members from twenty departments with members currently being awarded over $47 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $28 million in non-peer reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, communications, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management and community outreach.
UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area with nearly 500 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC commitment to translate basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early phase studies. UCCCC opens over 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.
Job Summary
The job provides technical research support activities related to collecting, documenting, and reporting on moderately complex clinical studies. Provides input to support the administrative and operational tasks that impact clinical research conducted across the University.
The Clinical Research Specialist will be responsible for assisting the Hematology/Oncology research team in adhering to protocol requirements. This exciting position is perfect for someone interested in gaining direct patient experience in cancer clinical research as well as performing laboratory work in IV therapy.

Responsibilities

• Tracks and facilitates daily clinical research activities in IVT to prevent issues and deviations related to missed or out-window ECGs/blood draws.
• Coordinates collection of research specimens.
• Schedules patient appointments.
• Reconciles PK schedule with sample collection kits; organizes kits.
• Tracks study deviations.
• Collects blood occasionally to support nursing staff.
• Processes and ships patient specimens.
• Conducts ECGs and transmits results to clinical trial sponsors.
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate usage logs of samples processed and ECG collections.
• Organizes and inventories samples in ultralow temperature freezers.
• Assists with creating flow sheets according to instructions on study protocols and lab manuals.
• Attends qualification and site initiation visits from study sponsors.
• Helps train new team members.
• Participates in the daily activities of moderately complex clinical studies and performs various activities including patient data retrieval, documenting clinical research records, and participation in program audits. Contributes to the problem solving on assigned clinical research studies and tasks.
• Uses knowledge of clinical studies to coordinate the collection of analyzable clinical research data and/or samples.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
-
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
-
Certifications:
-
Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in a related field.

Experience:

• Basic lab skills such as allocating and weighting specimens, and computer skills (Word and Excel).

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced patient-care environment.
• Follows established standard care protocols.
• Ability to process samples within narrow timeframes.
• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with the research team.

Working Conditions

• Ability to bend, crouch, or stoop.
• Ability to lift loads up tp 49lbs.
• Walking up to 6 city blocks (sometimes multiple times a day) to other parts of the Medical Center in order to conduct ECGs.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Research
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Frequency
Biweekly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
Yes
Health Screen Required
Yes
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans
and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the
University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via
Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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• Tracks and facilitates daily clinical research activities in IVT to prevent issues and deviations related to missed or out-window ECGs/blood draws.
• Coordinates collection of research specimens.
• Schedules patient appointments.
• Reconciles PK schedule with sample collection kits; organizes kits.
• Tracks study deviations.
• Collects blood occasionally to support nursing staff.
• Processes and ships patient specimens.
• Conducts ECGs and transmits results to clinical trial sponsors.
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate usage logs of samples processed and ECG collections.
• Organizes and inventories samples in ultralow temperature freezers.
• Assists with creating flow sheets according to instructions on study protocols and lab manuals.
• Attends qualification and site initiation visits from study sponsors.
• Helps train new team members.
• Participates in the daily activities of moderately complex clinical studies and performs various activities including patient data retrieval, documenting clinical research records, and participation in program audits. Contributes to the problem solving on assigned clinical research studies and tasks.
• Uses knowledge of clinical studies to coordinate the collection of analyzable clinical research data and/or samples.
• Performs other related work as needed