Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title Research Assistant

Department Oviedo-Joekes Laboratory | School of Population and Public Health | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range $3,982.67 - $4,703.83 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date September 26, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date Sept 18, 2024

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Research Assistant (RA) will collaborate with Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes and a multidisciplinary team of researchers and health care providers conducting multi methods studies on person-centred care in addiction and public health, specifically, diversified opioid prescription including injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT). This work is situated within the Person-Centered Care in Addiction and Public Health research program, an exciting and growing body of work that seeks to develop evidence-based approaches to shift drug policy in Canada.

The primary focus of the RA will be to prepare scientific reports, conduct research interviews, and support the analysis and interpretation of quantitative data for the expansive scope of research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI). The RA will also support recruitment, outreach and retention activities for a multi-pronged observational study that aims to understand patient perspectives on iOAT.

Organizational Status:

This project operates out of the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH), Faculty of Medicine, at the Vancouver Campus of the University of British Columbia. Housed within the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) is an innovative unit that encompasses many of the health-related groupings at UBC as a collaborative venture. The School is structured around four divisions: Occupational and Environmental Health; Health Services and Policy; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health Practice; and Health in Populations. The resulting mix of professions and disciplines is seen as a means of connecting individuals and learners to galvanize the relationship between health research, public health and health services and to enhance learning

Work Performed:

The Research Assistant will contribute to an exciting and growing research program in person-centred care in addictions. Major responsibilities include:

Writes scientific reports and assists in writing ethics and grant applications.

Conducts analysis and interpretation of quantitative interview data, collaborates with statisticians for complex data analyses, and provides instruction and training to new team members about analytic techniques. Enters and manages research data and other confidential files on a secure server.

Schedules and conducts quantitative structured interviews with research participants, involving administering questionnaires and assessments.

Engages in recruitment, outreach, and retention activities offsite at community services and other facilities with varying environments throughout the Lower Mainland and BC (e.g., iOAT clinics, health care facilities, overdose prevention sites, etc.).

Builds strong rapport with research participants and community partners.

Prepares and updates data collection forms, study consent forms, and recruitment materials.

Adheres to informed consent procedures and ethical guidelines for health research involving human subjects.

May make recommendations with respect to hiring new research assistants and provide input into staff performance.

Carries out other duties as needed to support the advancement of the research program.

This is a hybrid position involving a combination of working at a field research office in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver and working from home. The Research Assistant may also be required to work from offices located in St. Paul\xe2\x80\x99s Hospital and the UBC School of Population and Public Health. A shared workstation equipped with a telephone, computer monitor, and furniture will be provided at each in-person office.

Consequence of Error/Judgment

A high level of judgment is needed in this position. Inadequate documentation, organization, communication and planning may adversely affect the image and reputation of UBC, the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, individual investigators, their respective Faculties or the Providence Health Care Research Institute. An error could be associated with the loss of investigator productivity and the potential loss of renewal grant funding.

Supervision Received

Exercises a considerable amount of judgement, responsibility, and initiative in determining work

procedures and methods, and coordinating the work of the program.

Works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure. Reports to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes, and Program Manager, Louise Harding.

Supervision Given

This position does not include supervision of other staff. The RA may have input into staff selection.

Minimum Qualifications:

Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum

three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some

positions may require a graduate degree.

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one\xe2\x80\x99s own.

Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

A university degree in health sciences, public health, or a related field (e.g., behavioural sciences, nursing, social work) is preferred. A relevant graduate degree is an asset.

Demonstrated interest in public health, person-centred care, and addiction research, with an enthusiastic disposition toward bringing innovation and policy change to these areas.

Experience managing and analyzing quantitative data, with proficient skills in Excel, SPSS, NVivo and other data analysis software.

Experience using electronic data capture systems (e.g., REDCap).

Experience authoring scientific journal articles and reports and presenting research.

Strong skills in organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Familiarity with Metro Vancouver and community services related to substance use and mental health.

Experience in frontline service and/or working with marginalized populations such as people living with substance use disorders and Indigenous peoples.

Experience administering surveys and conducting structured quantitative interviews.

Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict management and crisis resolution skills for working with client populations in the Downtown Eastside.

Flexibility to adapt to the needs of the participants and the projects and to take initiative and leadership when needed.

Developed an understanding of the principles of conducting community-based health research and research ethics.

Strong ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Willingness to travel outside of Vancouver (e.g., Vancouver Island, Kelowna, Ontario)

Ability to manage stress effectively and maintain work-life balance.

University of British Columbia