Sr. Research Program Coordinator
Investigators in the School of Public Health are currently seeking a Sr. Research Program Coordinator (SRPC) to conduct primary data collection and oversee implementation (and reporting) for a mobile harm reduction intervention (‘Check It’). Check It is an innovative, low-barrier overdose and HIV-prevention intervention that provides mobile point-of-care drug checking, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), wound care, and other harm reduction services to people who use drugs in Baltimore and will be expanding to neighboring counties. Check It staff must operate within the principles of harm reduction.
The SRPC will collaborate with the PI and other research team members (e.g., staff and faculty) to support the conduct of the research. Primary responsibilities include executing internal data self-audits and recommending protocol changes based on goals and results. The SRPC will oversee data collection, monitor supply inventory, services and supply distribution and prepare monthly/quarterly/annual reports for funders. The SRPC will also facilitate drug checking using a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR). In addition to operating the instrument and interpreting its spectra, the SRPC will engage directly with clients to provide results and counseling about harm reduction practices. This requires great ability to communicate technical subjects effectively with non-technical community members and to use respectful, non-judgmental language. In-depth training on FTIR operation and its analytical software/compound libraries, as well as what is known about the composition of the local illicit drug use market, will be provided, as needed.
This individual will also oversee Naloxone distribution and study staff training as approved by the Maryland Department of Health and help coordinate wound care training and development/oversight of a statewide wound care provider network.
This role will interact with all members of the Check It team (e.g., drug checking technicians, nurses, physicians, peer navigators, students, JHU faculty), as well as clients, including people experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs, and leadership and staff at partnering community-based organizations. They will be expected to take independent initiative to complete tasks. This role will require community-based work at least 80% of the time; administrative responsibilities and fieldwork will occur primarily during weekdays but may include weekend and evening hours.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Drug Checking Tasks
- Perform on-site point-of-care drug checking with FTIR and test strips on mobile van and/or at fixed sites in partnership with local harm reduction service providers.
- Collect and record data about the contents of samples.
- Contribute to standard operating procedures for drug checking.
- Engage with FTIR manufacturer to ensure optimal set up, ongoing operation, maintenance, technical assistance, etc.
- Ensure instruments (FTIR, computer, supplies, etc.) are transported, set up, and put away safely according to Standard Operating Procedures.
- Calibrate and validate the FTIR for optimal and accurate substance detection concurrently with partner labs using confirmatory technology.
- Contribute to data dissemination activities, including managing, collecting, cleaning, coding, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, and presenting data for a variety of audiences.
- Establish and maintain community relationships.
- Engage in other harm reduction service delivery-related tasks on mobile van and/or in partnership with local harm reduction service providers, including packing and distributing supplies, including drug checking tools, safer use supplies, condoms, resource lists, hygiene items, clothes, snacks and seasonal items, conducting community outreach activities in and around Baltimore (may expand to other areas of Maryland over time), conducting overdose response trainings, HIV/STI testing, and harm reduction education. All necessary training will be provided prior to engagement in these activities.
- Research and develop harm reduction educational materials and public health alerts about novel psychoactive substances for program participants and other stakeholders.
- Develop and implement Check It communications and educational materials.
- Communicate regularly with faculty and senior staff to provide updates and feedback.
Administrative Tasks
- Order and maintain supplies for office staff/faculty and for multiple, complex, research studies.
- Develop and maintain a supply database; use the database to oversee all aspects of R01 and State-funded study procurement.
- Schedule and coordinate quarterly wound care first aid in-person training sessions.
- Develop and maintain a wound care provider listserv and schedule and coordinate regular meetings of the provider group.
Data Tasks
- Assist in data collection tool creation using REDCap, Google, and QDS software.
- Assist with data quality assurance and management.
- Oversee data collection about services delivered through projects, including assisting with creation of data collection tools and procedures, as well as compiling and summarizing data at the end of each month.
- Take primary responsibility for preparing monthly/quarterly/annual reports in line with funder requirements.
- Conduct internal audits to ensure data processes are accurate and efficient.
Field Tasks
- Serve as Field Staff Supervisor - provide feedback on any QA/QC issues to study management; provide general oversight of non-exempt, casual, and students.
- Operate and maintain a fleet of study vehicles (2 motorhomes/RVs, a transit van, and a sedan).
- Transport biological specimens to collaborating lab(s).
- Execute standard analyses and produce ad hoc reports related to study recruitment and retention and service delivery.
- Conduct community outreach activities.
ORP Tasks
- Serve as Training Director for the SCOPE study Overdose Response Program (ORP) as approved by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH).
- Train all current/future staff using state approved requirements for carrying/administering Naloxone.
- Coordinate between multiple state and local organizations in the operation of the SCOPE ORP.
- Serve as the primary contact point between projects, MDH, and the vendor (Cardinal Health).
- Develop, maintain, and update all procurement, receiving, inventory, distribution, and reporting protocols.
- Develop Fentanyl, Xylazine, Benzodiazepine, and Nitazene test strip protocols.
- Develop, maintain, and update Naloxone/test strip tracking database and inventory.
- Develop monthly Naloxone distribution and use report for MDH.
- Serve as a representative for the Alliance for Collaborative Drug Checking (ACDC).
- Serve as the primary liaison for the MDH ORP Information Sharing Group.
- Attend ACCESS/MOOR grantee meetings to remain updated on data reporting and other requirements.
Secondary Duties and Responsibilities
- General clerical duties.
- Additional responsibilities at the discretion of the program leadership.
Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Valid driver’s license and ability to drive large vehicles.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 45 lbs.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in related discipline.
- Three years related experience.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with drug checking and FTIR operation.
- Experience with data entry and management is also preferred.
- Outreach work experience.
- Experience working with diverse populations including people who use drugs strongly preferred.
- Individuals with lived experiences in sex work and/or drug use encouraged to apply.
Classified Title: Sr. Research Program Coordinator
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB
Starting Salary Range: $41,300 - $72,300 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: School of Public Health
Department name: HBS-Research Projects
Personnel area: School of Public Health