GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The MGH Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR) within the Department of Psychiatry is seeking three Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs). CHOIR is an interdisciplinary clinical research center with a longstanding commitment to the development, testing and implementation of mind-body and lifestyle interventions for patients, caregivers, and patient-caregiver dyads in both hospital and community settings and across the lifespan. CHOIR is an established center with multiple NIH funded clinical trials, an internship in Clinical Psychology, a T32 postdoctoral fellowship, and a Resource Center for Minority Aging Research.

CRCs will assist with studies as detailed below. CRCs may collaborate with other members of the research team, faculty, and staff within CHOIR, but will also be expected to take initiative and work well independently. Due to the time- or deadline-sensitive nature of many projects, the pace of work may be demanding at times. Other projects are long-term and require constant attention to prioritization.

These are mentored positions that offer valuable research experience in clinical psychology, health disparities, interdisciplinary collaborations, inpatient and outpatient settings, community-engaged research, and technology (app based and remote interventions). These are ideal positions for people looking to apply to graduate school in clinical psychology, public health, social work, or medical school. As mentored positions, the successful candidates will enjoy faculty and departmental support preparing graduate school applications, and have the opportunity to strengthen those applications through earned co-authorships and conference presentations of scholarly research.

CHOIR has a broad portfolio of clinical mind-body and lifestyle intervention research studies ranging from treatment development, efficacy, effectiveness/implementation clinical trials in both hospital and community settings. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on a number of studies including the following:

ActiveBrains Study. (PI: Dr. Ana-Maria Vranceanu; Project Manager: Dr. Ryan Mace). This is a fully remote efficacy trial funded by the National Institute of Aging. We are comparing 2 virtual interventions aimed at improving pain and cognition among older adults with chronic pain and early cognitive decline.

Recovering Together Study. (PI: Dr. Ana-Maria Vranceanu; Project Managers: Drs. Vicky Grunberg and Alex Presciutti). This is an efficacy trial funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research. We are comparing 2 hybrid (2 in person and 4 remote sessions) resiliency interventions aimed at preventing chronic emotional distress among dyads of patients with an acute brain injury hospitalized in the Neuro-ICU at MGH and their family caregivers.

Resilient Together-Young Onset Dementia Study. (PI: Dr. Ana-Maria Vranceanu). The goal of this study is to refine the content of Resilient Together for Young Onset Dementia through a pilot feasibility study with exit interviews, and then conduct a remote pilot randomized controlled trial of this intervention versus control among dyads consisting of persons with a diagnosis of young onset dementia and their caregivers.

Live video mind-body treatment to reduce the risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) after late-life concussion (PI: Dr. Jonathan Greenberg). This is a fully remote project, aiming to adapt and refine a 4-week live-video mind-body intervention (Toolkit for Optimal Recovery after Concussion) to the needs of older adults with a late-life concussion and co-occurring anxiety. The ultimate goal is to help reduce modifiable risk factors for ADRD in this population.

CRCs will assist CHOIR researchers with a range of study tasks. Responsibilities will include literature searches, management of IRB-related documents, recruitment and enrollment (remote or in person in hospital or community settings), collaborating with multidisciplinary providers (e.g., nurses, physicians, social workers), data collection and management, providing assistance to patients and their caregivers, and manuscript and grant submissions. The CRC will gain valuable experience and knowledge working in all phases of the research process, ranging from study design to analysis (including qualitative analyses) and interpretation of results, and will have opportunities to earn authorship on conference presentations and manuscripts. They will work alongside other CRCs at CHOIR through team research meetings, trainings, and presentations led by staff within CHOIR and the larger MGH community.

We are seeking CRCs with excellent interpersonal, communication, teamwork, writing, and organizational skills. We highly value experience and comfort of working with medical populations (especially in high acuity settings, such as an intensive care unit), informal caregivers, older adults with cognitive challenges, and individuals from a variety of different backgrounds. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Bachelors or Masters degrees and availability to work in-person 4 out of 5 days a week are required.

CHOIR participates in professional and academic training and mentorship at every level. As such, we support an inclusive, collegial, collaborative, and energetic work environment and work to champion diversity, individuality, inclusion, and a robust celebration of our differences. We view this as a core strength of our program, and the foundation of our mentoring approach. We pride on our strong track record of admission to graduate school in clinical psychology or medical school.

More information about CHOIR and current research is available on our webpage:

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Please note, the functions below are representative of major duties that are typically associated with these positions. Specific responsibilities may vary based upon needs. Similarly, not all duties that have been outlined will be assigned to each position.

* Implementation of research protocols, including collection of 1) surveys and clinical assessments; 2) clinical, cognitive, and digital biomarker-based assessments

* Screen, recruit and gather data from study participants (in-person and by phone/Zoom)

* Collaborate with providers in other hospital/clinic settings (e.g., nurses, physicians, physical therapists)

* Maintain records and databases (self-report, activity and physiological sensors)

* Obtain patient study data from electronic medical records

* Conduct literature and library searches

* Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses with PI support

* Ensure compliance with federal and IRB regulations

* Assist with IRB submissions, amendments and continuing reviews

* Assist with preparation of grant applications and manuscripts, including data analyses, literature searches and drafting of texts

* Perform administrative support duties as required

* Attend individual and team meetings

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

* Strong organization and time management skills required

* Excellent attention to detail

* Ability to concurrently handle multiple projects required

* Ability to work well with a diverse group of individuals required

* Ability to work independently and as part of a team required

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills required

* Strong ability to problem-solve, function in a fast-paced environment, and manage time/work-load with minimal supervision is strongly desired

* Ability to independently take initiative is strongly desired.

* Working knowledge of statistics, SPSS, and data management programs desired.

* Proficiency in using administrative software (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint) strongly desired.

Note that CRCs would receive training in Epic, webpage development, and electronic data capture systems.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in psychology, public health, neuroscience, or related discipline preferred. Prior health care or research experience preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• New graduates with some relevant course/project work or those without any prior research experience will be considered for the Clinical Research Coordinator I position outlined above.
• Those with a minimum of 1-2 years of directly related work experience will be considered for a Clinical Research Coordinator II position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (if applicable):

N/A

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.