Under general supervision, to carry out a variety of tasks necessary to complete research projects. Completion of research projects may involve subject recruitment, medical record abstraction, interviews, assessments, record keeping, data analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities.

• Performs medical record abstraction for acute and rehabilitation data;
• Interviews individuals, family, and friends for premorbid history information, either in person, by telephone or by mail questionnaire;
• Completes standardized functional assessments on individuals in the hospital and in the community;
• Collects and explains informed consents to individuals and their families;
• Understands privacy and confidentiality requirements of medical and research files;
• Maintains paper and electronic records of collected data;
• May assist in analysis of collected data;
• Prepares and presents factual and statistical data at local research meetings;
• May be assist in creating professional publications and national level presentations of findings;
• Uses a variety of databases and information applications to track completion of projects;
• Acts as a resource in the study area;
• Attends community and educational activities outside of regular working hours;
• Adheres to reporting and tracking requirements i.e.; Semi-monthly project meetings, monthly staff reports, annual reports to funding agencies;
• Performs other duties as required.

Sufficient education and experience that directly demonstrates the possession and application of the following knowledge and abilities.

Clinical Research Assistant I

Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities to perform the functions of this position would typically be acquired by the attainment of a high school diploma or equivalent. The applicant should also have a minimum of one year experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Knowledge of:

• Basic word processing, database, spreadsheet and office equipment use.
  
  Ability to:
• Conduct a supervised interview;
• Provide information and resource referral services to clients;
• Mail out and collect questionnaires (mail merge);
• Clearly document data that is collected;
• Complete data entry through database applications;
• Provide written summary reports of needs and satisfaction assessments;
• Prepare written materials in accordance with publication guidelines;
• Participate in after hours community and educational activities as necessary;
• Assist other Clinical Research Assistants and Associates in the activities described above.
  
  Clinical Research Assistant II
  
  Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities to perform the functions of this position would normally be acquired by the attainment of an Associate's Degree in health care or related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for the educational requirement. The applicant must be certified to use the Disability Rating Scale (DRS) or the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).
  
  Knowledge of:
• Basic background medical knowledge in the area of physical and mental disabilities;
• Principles and procedures for obtaining informed consent and basic human subjects rights, including HIPAA research guidelines;
• Standardized outcome and assessment measures (Functional Independence Measure, Disability Rating Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale, etc.).
  
  Ability to:
• Abstract information from medical records;
• Conduct interviews (in person, by phone, by mail);
• Clearly document data that is collected;
• Complete data entry through database applications;
• Recruit participants for research studies;
• Explain study protocols to participants, family members, and treatment team;
• Establish and maintain rapport with participants;
• explain, collect, and maintain informed consent and privacy regulations paperwork;
• Prepare detailed assessments of work progress, including monthly staff reports and annual reports required by funding agency;
• Participate in after hours community and educational activities as necessary;
• Participate in at least one national Data Collector meeting per five-year grant cycle;
• Prepare materials, with supervision, for inclusion in dissemination activities, including, but not limited to, background information, statistical presentation (graphs, tables), and preliminary interpretation of data;
• Propose new activities and/or research ideas for research area.