Clinical Research Coordinator III (Participant Navigator) - Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center

Job Summary

The Clinical Translational Research Coordinator III will serve as the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center's Participant Navigator and first and primary point of contact for all participants. S/he will manage scheduling of all study procedures, and successfully guide participants through all longitudinal study events. The participant navigator will serve as an essential resource to all participants and their families and troubleshoot any issues they encounter throughout their study participation.

The ideal candidate for this opportunity has clinical research experience, including determining eligibility, scheduling study visits, and implementing study protocols; is proficient in all Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as Epic and REDCap; has excellent organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills; has self-discipline; has exceptional attention to detail; is able to master responsibilities quickly and independently while working collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team; and understands cultural challenges to recruitment and retention. Prior experience working with older adults or with patients with neurological conditions is preferred but not required.

Department Summary

The Department of Neurology boasts a strong research portfolio across its subspecialties. Faculty members are regular contributors to scientific journals and receive generous funding from public, private, and government institutions. Grants and contracts are growing, and faculty members are focused on recruiting and supporting clinical and translational research programs focused on precision in diagnosis and treatment. These research activities provide patients with hosts of opportunities to participate in clinical trials and other investigations aimed at improving quality of life and ultimately changing the course of neurological disease. Total sponsored research in the department has doubled since 2016, and there has been a three-fold increase in clinical trials in recent years.

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Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity -- of culture, thinking, learning and leading -- is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

VUMC Recent Accomplishments

Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments:

• US News & World Report: #1 Adult Hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville, named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of the top 20 adult hospitals, 10 nationally ranked adult specialty programs, with 3 specialties rated in the top 10 nationally, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt named as one of the Best Children's Hospital in the nation, with 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties nationally ranked.
• Healthcare's Most Wired: Among the nation's 100 "most-wired" hospitals and health systems for its efforts in innovative medical technology.
• Becker's Hospital Review: named as one of the "100 Great Hospitals in America", in the roster of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs and to its list of the 100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs.
• The Leapfrog Group: One of only 10 children's hospitals in the to be named at Leapfrog Top Hospital.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science: The School of Medicine has 112 elected fellows
• Magnet Recognition Program: Received our third consecutive Magnet designations.
• National Academy of Medicine: 22 members, elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievement
• Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index: 6 ^th year in a row that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.

Key Responsibilities

• The focus of this position is on screening, scheduling, and guiding participants and their families through all necessary components of the research study from screening to completion of each longitudinal visit timepoint.
• This position coordinates participant screening, scheduling, and organization of study eligibility, enrollment, and follow-up visit protocol elements, including but not limited to informed consents, clinical interviews, neuropsychological assessments, laboratory studies, MRI appointments, and feedback sessions. Coordinates with medical and research staff involved in the day-to-day implementation of research protocols.
• Engages in open communication with participants and their families by providing contact information and answering their calls and inquiries. Serves as the primary point of contact for participants and families, in both the scheduling of research protocols and as a reference point throughout their longitudinal study participation.
• Serves as an advocate for participants by establishing and maintaining communication with participants, their loved ones, investigators, and research staff, and regularly monitors participants and research protocol processes.
• Records data from participant interactions with awareness and attention to the requirements for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Maintains records of participant interactions, study calendars, and participant-specific schedule of events.
• Understands, implements, and follows a clinical research study protocol. Works collaboratively with other staff and organizational units to facilitate research protocols, including assessing participant eligibility, arranging schedules and procedure appointments, completing participant registration, and facilitating other protocol specific procedures.
• Reports adverse events in a timely and accurate manner to the principal investigator and medical team.
• Problem solves independently when issues arise using institutional knowledge and research experience.
• Serves as a resource to other research team members regarding protocols and policies. Listens and understands other team members' points of view. Considers suggestions from others. Creates and supports a climate of trust, openness, and honest communication. Exhibits cultural competence and cultural humility.
• Possesses advanced knowledge and understanding of human subjects research; federal regulations and guidelines governing the protection of human subjects; and institutional policies and procedures involved in the approval and compliance of human subjects research.
• Assures compliance throughout the research process.
• Continually revises scheduling and participant navigation operating procedures to assure quality and human subjects protection.
• Demonstrates initiative for continuous learning, both self-directed and through attendance of professional development opportunities. Actively seeks new learning opportunities and views ongoing learning and professional development as part of the position.
• Engages in a minimum of 15 hours of continuous, job-related educational activities annually or pursues advanced career-related academic education or a certification.
• Participates in and maintains certifications, licensure, and credentialing as required by Vanderbilt, the Center, department, and Sponsor.
• Participates in research related programs, such as the Clinical/Translational Research Staff Council (CTRSC) and its activities by serving as a Center representative, submitting issues, suggesting solutions, and reviewing CTRSC meeting Council information summaries, attending meetings open to research staff, and sharing information with other research personnel.