Research Assistant /Technician 2

The position will work directly and report to the Faculty member who is mounting the studies. This will involve working with developed systems and procedures, following direction from the Director of the AMC research program. Work Performed

Act as the contact person for the VGH Falls Clinic, part of the AMC Lab, and address all queries made to the VGH Falls Clinic

Complete referrals to the VGH Falls Clinic and schedule patients according to availability of geriatricians.

Will conduct the standard assessments of the VGH Falls Clinic according to protocol

Recruit older adults with diverse chronic conditions and comorbidities, who attend the VGH Falls Clinic, for studies related to falls prevention, fracture prevention, and healthy aging

After discussion and planning with Director, will coordinate randomized controlled trials and cohort studies with efficiency and quality, including development of Standard of Procedures (SOPs). Key responsibilities include: Ensuring adherence to protocols. This includes the completion of scheduled observations and checklist, documenting any deviations, and reporting them back to the Director. Monitor all adverse events reported in the different studies, document them, and have them reviewed by each study’s data and safety monitoring committees. Create and manage confidential data research files; will be responsible for accuracy/validity of data entered as well as proper storage of physical files Prepare (cleaning, quality checks, organization) data ready for statistical analyses and publication

Ensuring adherence to protocols. This includes the completion of scheduled observations and checklist, documenting any deviations, and reporting them back to the Director.

Monitor all adverse events reported in the different studies, document them, and have them reviewed by each study’s data and safety monitoring committees.

Create and manage confidential data research files; will be responsible for accuracy/validity of data entered as well as proper storage of physical files

Prepare (cleaning, quality checks, organization) data ready for statistical analyses and publication

Communicate with health care professionals (e.g., general physicians, physical therapists) to promote referrals to the VGH Falls Clinic, a major source of recruitment for the AMC Lab

Assist and develop relationships with study physicians involved in various studies

Coordinates time lines on deadline driven research projects

Collect all data (clinical and research) according to standard protocol, on time and with accuracy

Assures established lab safety & ensures safety procedures are followed

Conducts literature searches, prepares ethics applications and obtains informed consent as required.

Performs other related duties as assigned

Develops brochures and materials required for research, including seminars and conferences, and for the overall promotion and visibility of the VGH Falls Clinic

Supervises and trains WorkLearn students working in the VGH Falls Clinic

Supervises part time research staff

Disseminate knowledge regarding falls prevention, with guidance from Dr Liu-Ambrose

Submits hourly payroll on behalf of the AMC Lab

Oversees day to day budget use, invoice payments, as well as assisting in creating budget projections with Dr Liu-Ambrose, as it relates to the operations of the VGH Falls Clinic

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Inappropriate judgement would compromise the quality of research studies and related data acquisition and the reporting of research outcomes.

Inappropriate judgement also could compromise the safety and wellbeing of the participants.

Poor financial decisions would affect the ability of the Unit to manage its resources effectively that would result in research projects being delayed or cancelled altogether.

Inappropriate judgement would compromise research success and affect the credibility of the Principal Investigator.

Supervision Received Works independently in consultation with the Director of the AMC research program Supervision Given

Responsible for supervising measurement staff and research assistant

Responsible for contributing to ensuring a safe environment for research participants during assessments.