Clinical Research Technician Assistant

The University of Maryland School of Social Work has an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Research Technician Assistant to support two community-based, culturally responsive research projects focused on Latino communities. The position conducts complex work and contributes to measurable team objectives; adheres to good research practices, study protocols, and applicable regulations; uses discretion to provide solutions to issues; and performs work that is varied. Day-to-day work follows prescribed procedures or processes with independent decision-making required in some instances.

First, the position will support Compañeros en la Salud de los Niños/Partners in Children's Health. Compañeros en la Salud de los Niños (CSN), directed by Dr. Lisa Berlin, Professor of Social Work, is a community-based randomized trial of an attachment-focused parent coaching program for low-income Latina mothers and their infants. The study is being conducted in collaboration with the Yard 56 pediatric practice in Baltimore. Fluency in spoken and written Spanish is highly preferred. Specific tasks include assisting with obtaining informed consent, conducting in-home interviews and performing research activities with mothers and infants and service providers, tracking recruitment and completion of interviews, and data analysis, data management, and report preparation.This position also includes opportunities for professional development and interdisciplinary training that will be relevant to a variety of career paths. This is a full-time, contractual position.

Second, the position will support two projects directed by Dr. Iris Cardenas, Assistant Professor of Social Work: (a) Supporting Psychological Wellbeing and Parenting Behaviors among Latina Mothers who are Intimate Partner Violence Survivors and (b) Co-developing a Community-Based Peer-Coaching Program to Bridge Access Gaps for Immigrant Latinas Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence.  Both of Dr. Cardenas's projects aim to adapt programs specifically for Latinas with partner violence experiences.

Benefits Information
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs; limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job). 

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.  All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties:

• Performs collection of study data. Assists with maintaining databases and data quality checks. Communicates with participants, research team members, and community partners regularly as part of data collection and tracking processes.
   
• Complies with protocols and all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional policies.
   
• Contributes to reports of study data for project participants, stakeholders, and federal and institutional funders.
   
• Assists in enrolling participants for clinical study, explaining objectives, obtaining consent, recruiting and interviewing participants.
   
• Performs data collection and entry and tracks consent forms or other related materials.
   
• Assists with data analysis of qualitative interviews, including transcription review, coding, and thematic analysis in collaboration with the research team.
   
• Prepares study materials and assists in developing databases and pretesting data collection input instruments. Generates basic recurring materials/reports.
   
• Assists with developing and recommending study procedures.
   
• Assists with IRB submissions and supporting documentation.
   
• Assists in conducting literature reviews by searching library or online services as directed.
   

Note: The intent of this list of primary duties is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this job. Incumbents perform other related duties assigned. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs.

Education: Associate's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, public health, nursing or other related field. Bachelor's degree is preferred.
Preferred Experience: Prior experience in research and evaluation preferred. Prior experience in participant recruitment and data collection preferred. Substantive expertise in early parenting and/or program evaluation is strongly preferred.
Other: Spanish fluency is strongly preferred. Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Conditions of Employment: Employees in this job class may be required to work with bio-hazardous or radio-labeled materials and may be required to successfully complete applicable safety training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to understand and use good research practices. Possesses a knowledge of position requirements and able to perform the position in compliance with all requirements/regulations/laws. Ability to understand and utilize scientific/medical terminology and research theory. Ability to maintain confidentiality of participants and information obtained.
   
• Skill in utilizing relevant PC and data applications.
   
• Ability to maintain high standards of work. Assumes personal responsibility for all outcomes; makes effective and timely decisions; effectively uses technology. Continuously seeks to improve the quality of services and processes. Skilled in exercising initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment with an ability to solve problems and make decisions.
   
• Ability to establish goals, structures, and processes necessary to implement a project. Skill in meeting multiple priorities in various stages of development.
   
• Able to think strategically and analytically with an ability to solve problems and make decisions. Ability to use a consultative approach to resolve issues in area of responsibility. Ability to use measurable and verifiable information for making decisions or judgments.
   
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and for varying audiences. Ability to work with diverse populations. Write and present information in a clear and concise way.  Interpret and understand written information and attend carefully to verbal and non-verbal cues that lead to a deeper understanding.
   
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and demonstrates professional, ethical, respectful, and courteous behavior when interacting with participants, colleagues, and community partners.  Capable of interacting pleasantly and positively with others to meet project needs and provide appropriate follow up. Ability to network and interact, as well as support effective partnerships with key groups and individuals.

Based on the duties of this position, selected candidates are not eligible to participate in the Bargaining Unit (Union).

Hiring Range: $47, $51,000, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.