Job Description

Dr. Daniel McIsaac is an anesthesiologist and researcher at The Ottawa Hospital and is a CIHR-funded investigator. His research program (Aging Innovation in Perioperative Medicine & Surgery (AIMS)) at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute looks to improve the care and outcomes of people who require major surgery with a special focus on frailty, health system performance, and patient reported outcomes. AIMS is an interdisciplinary team of motivated researchers, clinicians, patient partners, and trainees who work in a collaborative and team-based environment.


Under the supervision of Dr. Daniel McIsaac, the Clinical Research Assistant III (CRAIII) will help support the STRIVE Trial - a randomized controlled trial of virtually-supported home-based prehabilitation compared to standard of care for adults preparing for major surgery.


We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Clinical Research Assistant to serve as a Prehabilitation Coach for adults preparing for surgery. The successful candidate will deliver remote, individualized prehabilitation support - including exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial coaching - to optimize patients' health before surgery. This role combines direct patient coaching with research responsibilities to support a multi-centre clinical trial.

Key Responsibilities:

Patient Coaching & Education

Deliver individualized, virtually supported prehabilitation programs (exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial components) to surgical patients. Use evidence-based behavioral and motivational strategies to enhance patient engagement and adherence. Monitor and assess participant safety throughout the prehabilitation program, identifying and escalating any concerns promptly.

Data Collection & Research Support

Collect, enter, and verify study data accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with study protocols and ethics requirements. Track participant progress, adherence, and outcomes using standardized tools. Support the preparation of study reports, summaries, and presentations as needed.

Communication & Collaboration

Maintain regular, supportive communication with participants to encourage ongoing participation. Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members (research staff, investigators, healthcare professionals) to ensure seamless delivery of the prehabilitation program. Provide feedback to the research team on program implementation and participant experience.

Basic Requirements (Education/Experience):

Education/Certifications:

Bachelor's degree or several years of relevant clinical experience Evidence of training certification in Tri-Council Policy Statement -2 (TCPS-2), the International Conference on Harmonization - Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (ICH-GCP), and Health Canada Division 5 - Drugs for Clinical Trials Involving Human Subjects

Experience:

2 years of experience in a clinical research environment Experience delivering health or lifestyle interventions, particularly in exercise, nutrition, or psychosocial domains. Training or demonstrated skills in behavioral motivation techniques (e.g., motivational interviewing, coaching, adherence support). Ability to assess participant safety, including recognition of contraindications and escalation protocols. Proficiency in using virtual platforms (video conferencing, secure data collection systems).

Personal Qualities:

Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills required to coordinate multiple activities to meet tight or changing deadlines. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral), especially with older adults. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills required to deal with unexpected situations or issues. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills for accurate data entry and documentation. Proficiency in using virtual platforms (video conferencing, secure data collection systems).

Other Skills/Qualifications:

Excellent computer skills (MS Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Zoom)

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a health-related field (e.g., Kinesiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Health Sciences) or equivalent combination of education and experience Bilingualism (French and English) is strongly preferred Experience as a Clinical Research Assistant Proficiency with The Ottawa Hospital's EPIC medical record, including establishing participant identification and screening processes, is considered a strong asset Registration with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario (Registered Kinesiologist) considered an asset

Contract Details:

This is a full-time contract.

Salary: Min: $29.718/hr - Max: $39.624/hr

Comments to Applicant:

Please provide your CV and a cover letter to clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the position listed

Contact Info:

Name: Emily Hladkowicz

Title: Clinical Research Manager

Program: AIMS Research Group - Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Address: 1053 Carling Ave, Ottawa Ontario, K1Y 4E9

Email: emhladkowicz@toh.ca

Website: http://www.ohri.ca/AIMS/Default.aspx

http://www.ohri.ca/profile/dmcisaac/profile



The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is committed to building and sustaining a welcoming and supportive culture that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion for trainees, researchers, and staff. We are devoted to identifying and removing barriers that limit equitable access to opportunities within our organization. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute strongly supports initiatives that encourage the participation of all groups, in particular the four groups defined in the Employment Equity Act (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities).



We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those invited for an interview will be contacted. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is an equal-opportunity employer. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the selection process.