Research Program Supervisor, Substance Use & Infectious Disease Care &Integration
We are seeking a Research Program Supervisor, Substance Use & Infectious Disease Care & Integration who will be part of a team committed to improving the health of people who use drugs. We are seeking an enthusiastic self-starter who enjoys driving to supervise the mobile research team of an NIH-funded research study. This individual will recruit people who use drugs and their network members from two different syringe service programs (each within an hour of Baltimore) and coordinate the day-to-day research and administrative responsibilities of a study aimed at extending the reach of evidence-based services for people who use drugs. Under the overall supervision of the Principal Investigator and the direct supervision of the Study Manager, the Research Program Supervisor will support and follow a standardized research protocol.
This individual will play a pivotal role in refining the study procedures, hiring and supervising a Research Program Assistant, and ensuring study performance is compliant with the protocol and regulatory requirements. Once the study begins, the Research Program Supervisor will train the research team on the study protocol and perform and oversee the following activities: recruiting and engaging study volunteers, conducting research assessments, data collection procedures, outreach activities, and specimen collection and processing. This individual will be responsible for driving the mobile research van and performing specimen collection. The Research Program Supervisor will work closely with the Johns Hopkins study team and the county-based harm reduction programs team to foster a positive collaboration between the clinical and research environments.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Study Recruitment and Retention
- Build and maintain working relationships with clinical and agency personnel at study recruitment sites and in the community.
- Drive a mobile research van and recruit clients of two harm reduction programs in Maryland.
- Collaborate with the harm reduction programs to determine optimal timing and location of screening, baseline, and follow-up study visits.
- Follow common study recruitment strategies as outlined in the research protocol, which may include posting flyers, sending out recruitment letters, and/or approaching potential study candidates in the community.
- Conduct initial screening assessments of potential candidates for study eligibility.
- Schedule and coordinate recruitment activities and calendars, as needed.
- Remind participants of upcoming research visits via phone, mail, social media, and peer and community contacts.
- Perform outreach activities as needed to find research participants who have fallen out of contact.
- Train study research assistant for all recruitment and retention activities.
- Perform the informed consent process with eligible participants.
- Conduct baseline assessments and collect study data through participant interviews and specimen collection.
- Collect, transport, process, and deliver biospecimens for laboratory testing and storage, as needed.
- Perform specimen testing during screening, as needed.
- Provide financial compensation to participants who have completed study activities; responsibly handle and log petty cash disbursements.
- Enter participant data into a web-based database using a laptop or other portable electronic device.
- Maintain the organization and confidentiality of research documents in participant data files.
- Edit and verify data entries.
- Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, conference calls, and trainings.
- Schedule and conduct follow-up visits; administer follow-up assessments.
Research Supervisor Job Functions
- Complete and maintain the necessary regulatory and compliance trainings for study performance, including but not limited to Human Subjects Research, Bloodborne Pathogens.
- Hire and supervise a research assistant.
- Responsible for ensuring fidelity to study protocols, regulatory compliance, and communication with the Research Manager and Study PIs regarding any problems or concerns.
- Oversee the study team to ensure the integrity of study procedures and the comfort, safety, and confidentiality of study participants.
- Drive and maintain a mobile research unit (RV), including required maintenance and registration requirements.
- Foster a positive and supportive work environment for the study team.
- Foster a positive and respectful environment for study participants.
Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to work well as a member of a research team with a high degree of self-motivation to conduct professional interactions with intra- and inter-agency personnel
- Ability to follow guidelines as established by research study protocols.
- Attention to detail and ability to chart and enter data accurately.
- Ability to make decisions and act independently while keeping the investigator informed.
- Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills for communicating with a variety of individuals from study participants to administrative personnel, experienced clinicians, and physicians.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline.
- Two years of related experience.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Some supervisory experience.
- Specimen collection experience.
- Life/community/work experience or knowledge regarding HIV/HCV.
- Minimum of two years of related experience working with people with unstable housing, substance use issues, dual diagnoses, HCV, and HIV/AIDS
- Experience with organization and verification of data sets
- Basic computer (database/word processing/internet) skills.
Classified Title: Research Program Supervisor
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Research Program Supervisor, Substance Use & Infectious Disease Care &Integration
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/03/CE
Starting Salary Range: $41,080 - $73,528 Annually ($65,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:30am-5pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location:Hybrid/School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM DOM Infectious Disease
Personnel area: School of Medicine