Job Description

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The Compass Lab uses participatory research methods combined with traditional study design to co-design, implement and evaluate interventions to reduce health disparities for migrant children, youth and their families
The Compass Lab is currently looking for a Research Assistant II to assist with recruitment, data collection (surveys and interviews) and administrative tasks, for community-based participatory studies working with immigrant and refugee families.
The primary role of the Research Assistant II includes providing essential assistance, organizational and administrative support to research projects. The Level II Research Assistant has more autonomy in participant interactions, provides day to day guidance to students and junior researchers, and is introduced to data analysis and reporting tasks. Additionally, this includes the Research Assistant I tasks such as collecting and recording data through survey and in-depth interviewing, processing of data, following research procedures, screening of study participants including obtaining consent, organizing study related material. Research Assistants also contribute to the funding and grant processes by providing information, helping quality check documentation, and liaising with internal and external partners, including community advisors.
The Compass Lab research take place in the Compass Clinic at St. Michael's Hospital and work closely with community partners.
This position builds on the Research Level I position and progresses to Research Coordination.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people in underrepresented communities are less likely to apply to jobs when they don't meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we still welcome you to apply.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Due to variable nature of position, this list is to be used as a guide only.
Research Duties (55% of work time)
The Research Assistant II supports and assists the research activities needed for each project.
Non-Laboratory Research Tasks
Collect, compile, update and provide basic statistical information and other data to generate and prepare reports and other documentation to support study related data and create data abstracts.
Collect and assist in the processing and compilation, verification, maintenance, and archiving of research data.
Collect, transcribe, organize, quality control, and data enter study related data.
Support the preparation of forms (e.g., reimbursement forms, REB applications, contract submission forms).
REB submission reviews and renewals
May be the point of contact for external and internal partners for data collection purposes.
May engage in data processing activities as needed for the project (i.e., Cleaning/coding data in specific programs).
Conduct coding/analysis of qualitative data.
May assist research team with manuscript and report writing, including writing abstracts for papers, conferences, and 1-page summaries, and the creation of endnote files.
Support manuscript preparation (providing overviews of methodology, and data collection metrics), and submission
Perform literature searches/data mining on requested topics through databases and provide relevant articles to PI or research team.
Collect feedback from multiple partners on projects re: proposals, manuscripts, and dissemination tools (sometimes
50 authors) including record keeping of feedback and changes to authorship order.
Interpretation and analysis of data
Participate in/join committees (LKSI, UHT, REDI, CARESA, external).
Recruitment and Coordination of Study Participants
Act as the on-site point of contact for the studies at participating community/healthcare organizations.
Administer quantitative surveys to study participants at participating community organizations using online survey tool (data collection).
Provide feedback to participants and research staff and arranges follow-ups, as required.
Develop / maintain trusted relationships with participants, on- and off-site staff, community site contacts and stakeholders.
Recruit study participants through various means, sometimes in collaboration with study team or staff at participating community organizations.
Screen participants and obtain required documentation.
Schedule interviews and participants.
Develop and maintain accurate records of participant's data and progress during projects (including eligibility criteria, recruitment info, sample collections, follow-up, and results of tests, and other relevant information).
Collect data in-person, or via phone or videoconference calls, using surveys, and qualitative interviews.
Follow strict protocols for participant interactions.
Prepare reimbursement forms and payment requisitions for study-related invoices and expenses.
Facilitate compensation of study participants under direction of study team/PI.
Travel to participant sites as required.
Administrative Duties (40% of work time)
Develop correspondence and other relevant documentation, including letters, memos, reports, invoices, abstracts, forms etc. to support the activities of the research team and Principal Investigator.
Coordinate communication between team and external partners including formatting/communicating strategies with stakeholders (study updates and newsletters); and sending mass emails to end users of research
Participate in database processing and management.
Organize video/teleconference meetings for research studies, including contacting attendees and preparing meeting materials.
Help log manuscript submissions.
Maintain calendars and manage complex scheduling requests.
Prepare REB/CTO submissions relative to the initiation and conduct of individual studies. Register study protocols.
Collect conflict of interest forms.
Help maintain CVs of the PIs, and external partners.
With support from study team/PI creates slides for webinars, written study reports scientific meetings, and conferences.
General office organization and management (incld. virtual) duties, e.g., filing, mailings, courier services, photocopying, printing, scanning, distributing information etc.
Day to Day Project and Staff Guidance Tasks (5% of work time)
May assist in training research students, new recruits (Research Assistant I's), summer students, Ph.D. students in collecting data, and coordinating summer student's schedules.
May support onboarding and mentoring of incoming research assistants, providing them with resources to conduct their day-to-day tasks, answering all of their questions, supporting them as they integrate into the team.
May handle operations of the research team (incl. Research contracts, research financial (invoices, p-card, payment requisitions forms), HR (payroll, job descriptions, interviews), budgets, education (courses), reporting deadlines, and overall day to day management of the team's resources (ordering supplies, manage office space).
All staff are expected to carry out their assigned duties and responsibilities in a manner which prioritizes patient and employee safety and confidentiality. Key accountabilities in this regard include:
Strict compliance with patient/employee confidentiality practices and policies
Strict compliance with patient/employee safety practices and standards.
Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee confidentiality breaches in accordance with established policies and procedures
Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee safety risks and incidents/events in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Qualifications:
Undergraduate Degree in a health science field and 1 year of relevant experience, OR demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience.
Minimum of Bachelor's degree in health science field
Excellent attention to detail and proven ability to learn new skills.
At least 1 year of experience working in a clinic research setting; experience with community-based research is an asset
Previous experience with participant recruitment in a clinical trial is an asset
Previous experience with coordinating and communicating with community advisory boards
Previous experience working with immigrant communities and non English/French speaking communities
Fleixbility and ability to adapt to changing workload.
Ability to work with a diverse team located in multiple settings
Professionalism and self-motivation
Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to communicate with participants in an empathetic and sensitive way
Previous experience working with communities that have experienced marginalization
Previous training in anti-oppression and/or anti-racism work an asset
Able to set independent schedules to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of qualitative research methodologies, community based participatory action research, data collection and entry, GCP (HPB, FDA) regulation and guidelines, and health record analysis
Demonstrated knowledge of project's topic.
Knowledge of research ethics, confidentiality, and documentation standards.
Comfortable working with RedCap, EMRs (ie. EPIC) and qualitative an asset.
Strong computer skills, particularly database, spreadsheet, and word processing.
Ability to learn and use reference management systems and research databases.
PowerPoint skills: able to develop slide decks that help create interest/visual appeal in presentations is an asset.
Experience with Zotero is preferred.
Statistical knowledge and analysis, Windows access, advance excel training is an asset
Able to keep written records and updated standard operating manuals
Able to understand written and verbal direction
Progressively responsible experience in a clerical position
Patience, compassion, Non-judgmental and interest serving priority populations.
Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.