Department:

SOM KC Neurology - Parkinson Disease

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Parkinson's Disease Center

Position Title:

Research Assistant - Neurology

Job Family Group:

Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:

The Research Assistant in the Department of Neurology will support research focused on Parkinson’s Disease and related movement disorders by performing a variety of complex technical duties in the laboratory. Responsibilities include conducting physical, chemical, and biological tests and experiments to obtain data for research purposes; compiling, analyzing, and documenting results; and assisting in the development and modification of laboratory procedures and techniques. The Research Assistant will collaborate with the Principal Investigator to plan and execute experiments and will review relevant scientific literature to inform and support ongoing research activities.

Job Description:

Job Duties Outlined:

• Recruit, evaluate, and educate patients regarding clinical trials related to Parkinson’s Disease and related disorders

• Conduct an informed consent interview with the participant and caregiver following Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for obtaining consent.

• Document trial-related activities per regulatory requirements in a timely and accurate manner.

• Coordinate all aspects of study visit activities for patients and families, including scheduling of hospital-based procedures such as MRI and PET, dermatology visits, and other procedures to include clinical study visit interviews and assessments, ECG, lab draws, IV infusions, lumbar punctures, and dispensation of study medication. 

• Gather accurate medical history and concomitant medication information and ensure that medical conditions and medications meet trial specifications.

• Inform patien’st/caregivers of any changes in health throughout clinical trial intervention and monitor for potential adverse events. 

• Obtain complete reports of new symptoms/changes in health conditions and review with the clinician/principal investigator. Based on the principal investigator’s determination of adverse event (AE) qualification, prepares a formal AE report for the sponsor and for IRB, when applicable per regulations.  

• Assist the physician in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and skin biopsy for clinical trials 

• Prepare local and central lab requisition forms to ensure proper testing is conducted on CSF, blood, and urine samples.

• Prepare and ship biological specimens to central labs per protocol and regulatory requirements.

• Conduct interviews with patient and/or caregiver regarding mood, anxiety, neurobehavioral symptoms, and functional abilities.

• Ensure the investigator’s timely review of lab tests, EMG/ECG/MRI/PET results, and communicate clinically relevant information to the patient and the patient’s primary care doctor as appropriate.

• Ensure availability of medical records, updated subject records, and updated protocols.

• Update and maintain regulatory binders.

• Prepare adverse event reports and protocol deviation reports for submission to IRB.

• Ensure all study data is entered into sponsor-provided and/or internal KU databases per sponsor requirements, typically within 3 business days following data collection.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

 

Required Qualifications

Work Experience: 1 year of Experience in the Work Field.  Education may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis. 

 

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in science or a healthcare-related field.

 

Work Experience:

• Experience directly with Parkinson’s disease patients in a research or clinical setting.

• Experience in writing and submitting scientific publications.

 

Skills

• Knowledge of conducting research, data collection, and database management.

• Microsoft Office skills.

• Interpersonal skills.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employee Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Rate Type:

Hourly

Compensation Statement:

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above. 

Pay Range:

$22.66 - $32.85

Minimum

$22.66

Midpoint

$27.75

Maximum

$32.85