Research Program Assistant II, Substance Use & Infectious Disease Care

We are seeking a Research Program Assistant II, Substance Use & Infectious Disease Care who will join a team of people committed to improving the health of people who use drugs. We are seeking an enthusiastic self-starter who enjoys driving to join the mobile research team of an NIH-funded research study. This individual will recruit people who use drugs and their network members from two different syringe service programs (each within an hour of Baltimore,) and assist with the day-to-day research and administrative responsibilities of a study aimed at extending the reach of evidence-based services for people who use drugs. Under the direct supervision of the Research Program Supervisor and the overall supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Research Program Assistant II will support and follow a standardized research protocol. This individual will play a role in recruiting and engaging study participants, as well as conducting research assessments, data collection procedures, data abstraction, outreach activities, and specimen collection and processing. The individual will work closely with both the Johns Hopkins study team and the county health department syringe service program (SSP) teams to foster a positive collaboration between the clinical and research environments.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Study Recruitment and Retention

• Build and maintain working relationships with agency personnel at study recruitment sites in the community.
• Operate and help maintain a mobile research van and target recruitment of clients of syringe service programs (SSPs).
• Follow common study recruitment strategies as outlined in the research protocol, which may include posting flyers, placing print and social media ads, sending out recruitment letters, and/or approaching potential study candidates in the community.
• Conduct initial screening assessments of potential candidates for study eligibility.
• Schedule and coordinate research visits.
• Remind participants of upcoming research visits via phone, mail, social media, and peer and community contacts.
• Perform outreach activities as needed to find research participants who have fallen out of contact.

Research Assistant Job Functions

• Complete and maintain the necessary trainings for study performance, including but not limited to Human Subjects Research, Bloodborne Pathogens.
• Perform the informed consent process with eligible participants.
• Conduct baseline assessments and collect study data through participant interviews and specimen collection.
• Schedule and conduct follow-up visits; administer follow-up assessments in person and via telephone.
• Collect, transport, process, and deliver biospecimens for laboratory testing and storage.
• Provide financial compensation to participants who have completed study activities; responsibly handle and log petty cash disbursements and/or gift card disbursements.
• Enter participant data into a web-based database (REDCap) using a laptop or other portable electronic device.
• Maintain organization of research documents in participant data files.
• Edit and verify data entries; respond to data queries.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, conference calls, and trainings.
• Work closely with and support other study staff.
• Work with the study team to ensure the integrity of study procedures and the comfort, safety, and confidentiality of study participants.
• Perform other research functions including abstracting data, maintaining the research van, and assisting with tracking participants during the recruitment, intervention, and follow-up phases of the study.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work well as a member of a research team with a high degree of self-motivation and conduct professional interactions with intra- and inter-agency personnel
• Ability to follow guidelines as established by research study protocols.
• Attention to detail and ability to chart and enter data accurately.
• Ability to make decisions and act independently while keeping the supervisor informed.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills, particularly for communicating with a wide variety of individuals from study participants to administrative personnel, experienced clinicians, and physicians.

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Two years of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Specimen collection experience.
• Life/community/work experience or knowledge regarding HIV/HCV.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with people with unstable housing, substance use issues, dual diagnoses, HCV, and HIV/AIDS
• Experience with organization and verification of data sets
• Basic computer (database/word processing/internet) skills

Classified Title: Research Program Assistant II
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Research Program Assistant II, Substance Use & Infectious Disease Care
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC
Starting Salary Range: $15.70 - $26.25 HRLY ($50,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Hybrid/School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM DOM Infectious Disease
Personnel area: School of Medicine

Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at [email protected]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.