Job Description

Research Assistant II Job Posting

Summary

The Arthur Sommer Rotenberg (ASR) Chair in Suicide Studies at St. Michael's Hospital is seeking a Research Assistant II.


The primary role of the Research Assistant II includes providing essential assistance, organizational and administrative support to research projects. In the ASR, we are recruiting an RA II to assist with our studies investigating novel psychotherapies for suicide risk. The Level II Research Assistant has more autonomy in participant interactions, provides day to day guidance and training on study tasks to students and junior researchers, and is introduced to data analysis and reporting tasks. Additionally, this role includes the Research Assistant I tasks such as collecting and recording data through survey and in-depth interviewing processing of data, participant recruitment, following research procedures, and screening of study participants including obtaining consent. Research Assistants may also contribute to the funding and grant processes by providing information, helping quality check documentation, and liaising with internal and external partners.


This position builds on the Research Level I position and progresses to Research Coordination.


The ASR Suicide and Depression Studies Program, Unity Health Toronto was established through the University of Toronto in 1997, the first chair of its kind in Canada. The ASR Suicide and Depression Studies Program leads intervention research, while also spearheading education, advocacy, and community outreach initiatives. Learn more at www.asrlife.ca .


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.

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 ??May be the point of contact for external and internal partners for data collection purposes.


Engage in data processing activities as needed for the project (i.e. Cleaning/coding data in REDCap).


Conduct general coding/analysis of qualitative data.


May assist research team with manuscript and report writing, including writing abstracts for papers, conferences, and 1-page summaries


May support manuscript preparation (providing overviews of methodology, and data collection metrics), and submission.


May perform literature searches/data mining on requested topics through databases and provide relevant articles to PI or research team.


May 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.


May participate in/join committees (LKSI, UHT, REDI, CARESA, external).


Recruitment and Coordination of Study Participants


Act as the point of contact for the ASR's psychotherapy studies.


Administer quantitative surveys to study participants using REDCap (data collection).


Administer clinical scales to study participants (e.g. MINI, C-SSRS, HRSD-17).


Recruit a population of participants experiencing suicidality for studies investigating potential psychotherapy treatments.


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.


Schedule sessions with study therapists


Develop and maintain accurate records of participant's data and progress during projects (including eligibility criteria, recruitment info, follow-up, and other relevant information).


Complete participant assessments through general clinical procedures such as taking medical history and updating medication lists.


Collect data via phone calls and Zoom interviews.


Collect data on REDCap and set up REDCap questionnaire links for participants.


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.

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.


May help log manuscript submissions.


Maintain calendars, and manage complex scheduling requests including scheduling sessions with study psychotherapists and other research staff.


Prepare REB submissions relative to the initiation and conduct of individual studies. Register study protocols.


With support from study team/PI creates slides for webinars, written study reports scientific meetings, and conferences.


General office (incld. virtual) duties, e.g. filing, mailings, photocopying, printing, scanning, distributing information etc.


Post on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).

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).

Performs Cross Functional and Other Duties as Assigned and/or Requested.

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.


Undergraduate Degree

and

1 year of relevant experience,

OR

demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience.


TCPS CORE 2 is preferred (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire).


Good clinical practice certificate is an asset (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire).


Responsible Conduct of Research is an asset.


Clinical Research certificate is an asset.


Mental Health First Aid certificate is an asset.


Demonstrated knowledge of project's topic.


Demonstrated understanding of suicide and depression.


Demonstrated knowledge of medical and scientific terminology.


Social media skills are an asset.


Demonstrated understanding of mental health concepts, counseling and psychotherapy.


Knowledge of research ethics, confidentiality and documentation standards.


Comfortable working with data sets an asset.


Awareness of social determinants of health, sensitivity and awareness of issues impacting research participants. Clinical skills for working with vulnerable groups is preferred.


Experience with REDCap is preferred.


Strong computer skills, particularly database, spreadsheet and word processing.


Ability to learn and use reference management systems, and research databases.


[Intermediate] Excellent communication (verbal/written) and interpersonal skills are necessary.


[Intermediate] Able to keep written records.


[Intermediate] Able to understand written and verbal direction.
?

[Intermediate] Progressively responsible experience in a clerical position.


Intermediate] Patience, compassion, Non-judgmental and interest serving priority populations.


[Basic] Problem Solving.


[Basic] Computer Skills.


[Basic] Ability to work independently and as part of a team.


[Basic] Excellent attention to detail.


[Basic] Proven ability to learn new skills.


[Basic] Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks in a timely manner and flexibility to adapt to changing workload.


[Basic] Ability to work in a diverse team environment.


[Basic] Ability to work long hours to complete complex/delayed tasks.


[Basic] Able to take initiative.


[Basic] Able to work in a fast paced, adaptable environment.







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.