The Institute for Medical Research at the Durham VA Health Care System

Program Assistant III

PIs: Dr. Jason Nieuwsma

The Institute for Medical Research, an affiliate of the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS) is looking for a full-time Program Assistant III to oversee select clinical research studies conducted by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Jason Nieuwsma.

The Research Assistant is to assist with select education, research, evaluation, and programmatic initiatives for the Integrative Mental Health program. Integrative Mental Health is a national initiative that views emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual needs as interconnected and aims to establish a more collaborative system of care for the benefit of Veterans

Location: This position is located in Durham, North Carolina and candidates must be willing to relocate prior to start date. This position is primarily in-person and candidates must be available to work Monday-Friday.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists with various aspects of a wide range of programmatic initiatives, including education and training programs, research studies, and evaluation of health systems redesign projects.

• Communicates with and collects data from training participants, health care providers, and/or study participants, conducts interviews, and handles and codes qualitative data, participating as a member of a larger research team.

• Supports training program administratively, participates in course maintenance and evaluation of training participants’ work, and coordinates with educational partners as needed.

• Follows all regulatory procedures for research studies and documents any deviations from those procedures, maintaining all study documents in appropriate study files and ensuring quality control.

• Recruits and contacts potential subjects for participation in research studies, schedules times for participation, administers informed consents, and manages payment for participation.

• Communicates as needed with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and other oversight entities.

• Conducts data entry, review, maintenance, and analysis using different databases (Excel, SPSS, Access); conducts database maintenance processes, such as completing queries and editing and contributing to annual reports.

• Assists with literature reviews, organization of research studies, and summaries of key literature.

• Engages in a full range of additional activities in service to the broader aims and mission of the Integrative Mental Health program.

  Qualifications:

• Requires an organized, task oriented, deadline-sensitive individual with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social science or related field and a minimum of 1-2 years of relevant experience.

• Graduate education may be considered in lieu of work experience.

  Additional Requirements:

• Organized and detail-oriented

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong computer skills in Excel and other Microsoft Office programs

• Flexibility in re-prioritizing daily tasks

• Demonstrates responsibility and reliability

• Familiarity with social sciences research, database management, and the basics of research design and statistics is preferred

• Interest, experience, and/or education in the topical area is viewed favorably, as is past experience functioning in coordination with research teams

  Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and activities that are required to perform the essential functions of the position include, but may not be limited to, as follows: Must be able to occasionally lift, pull and push a minimum of 20 pounds , stand for extended periods of time, sit for extended periods of time, squat, kneel, and stoop, regularly use fingers, hands for computer work.

  Supervisory Controls: The Program Assistant III will report directly to the Associate Director for Integrative Mental Health, with additional responsibilities to be agreed upon by the Director and Associate Director.

  The prior statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

  Rate of Pay: $22.00 - $25.00 per hour

  Status: Non-Exempt

  Start Date: Expected start date will be 6 – 8 weeks after the offer but is somewhat flexible and contingent upon completion and approval of VA paperwork.

  Employee Benefits: IMR offers a competitive benefits package if you work 25 hours or more which includes health, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability insurance. IMR offers a matching 403b retirement savings plan if you work 20 or more hours. Both part-time and full-time employees get paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Please visit https://imr.org/benefits/ for information about employee benefits.

  All IMR employees are required to obtain a Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS). As a result, the successful candidate must undergo a federal background check and may be subject to a physical and drug test. Participation in the vaccination programs may be required for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointments. We will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

  Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and Veterans.

  Click here (https://imr.org/careers/) to apply to this position and others directly on the Institute for Medical Research Careers Page (https://imr.org/careers/) !