Job description

Position Title: Research Assistant or Research Associate at VA Portland Health Care System (full-time; remote work possible)

Primary Project: Pragmatic Trial of “Caring Contacts” for Suicide Prevention in Veterans

Project Principal Investigator: Alan Teo, MD, MS

Position Summary

We are looking for a motivated and independent Research Assistant or Research Associate (RA) for a full-time position to join our team of investigators, study coordinators, qualitative and quantitative analysts, and research assistants in the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC) at the VA Portland Health Care System. The projects in our research laboratory are intended to advance the prevention and treatment of common and important mental health issues and conditions that affect military veterans. Active areas of research include suicide prevention, loneliness and social isolation, and access to mental health services. These research projects employ a health services research framework and typically include use of both quantitative and qualitative methods.

For this position, the primary research project that the candidate will be involved with is a randomized controlled pragmatic trial of “Caring Contacts,”a suicide prevention intervention that involves mailing at-risk patients brief, non-demanding expressions of care and concern. Other research projects that the candidate may assist with include: a) evaluation of VA’s suicide prevention campaigns such as “Keep It Secure,” which focuses on firearms safety; or b) a comparative effectiveness trial of medications and brief talk therapy for military veterans with PTSD.

Studies are led out of the VA Portland Health Care System but also involve collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), as well as other VA and non-VA healthcare systems and academic partners. This position will be located at CIVIC, which was established in 2013 as a Center of Innovation in health services research at the VA Portland Health Care System. CIVIC’s mission is to conduct research that empowers veterans to improve their health through engagement in self-care, engagement with VA and non-VA healthcare systems, and engagement in the research process.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will be commensurate with training and experience and would include some of the following project-related activities:

• Conducting research participant recruitment and tracking enrollment
• Communicating with research participants regarding study procedures and requirements
• Developing and following study procedures and ensuring study activities are being conducted with fidelity to research protocols
• Administering surveys
• Facilitating research participant reimbursement and compensation
• Managing study databases, including data entry, cleaning, and data export
• Creating and maintaining detailed study records
• Basic quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis
• Communication and coordination with other study staff and collaborators, including co-investigators, data analysts, biostatisticians, and operational partners

In addition, depending on skillset, the RA may take on occasional administrative activities in support of our research laboratory. These may include:

• Contributing to the writing, preparation, and submission of scholarly manuscripts for scientific journals and presentations of study findings at academic conferences
• Maintaining Institutional Review Board and other regulatory compliance
• Website and social media management
• Coordinating with other VA departments to arrange purchases, travel, etc.
• Assisting with dissemination of publications and other deliverables from research projects

Experience

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• At least one year of experience working in human subjects or health services research
• Strong conceptual and analytic skills, oral and written communication skills, and ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to multitask and prioritize projects
• Rigorous attention to detail and record keeping
• General computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel

Preferred:

• Experience working on multiple prior research studies
• Experience working in a remote setting
• Knowledge of VA policies, procedures, and guidelines that govern projects, including those specific to research-based projects (e.g., IRB)
• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, psychology, biostatistics)
• Experience with scientific writing, reports, or other summaries of project data
• Background or savvy with social media, communications, and/or website management
• Experience using data management programs/software such as Qualtrics or REDCap
• Experience conducting quantitative data analysis using statistical software (e.g., Stata), or experience conducting qualitative interviews or analyzing qualitative data

Salary is set by HR based on the candidate’s education and experience. For this position, we are targeting $50,094 (GS-7) to $61,275 (GS-9) + Benefits, depending on qualification. The position is available at 1.0 FTE (i.e., full-time). This position is eligible for teleworking (remote work), a transit pass if applicable, as well as paid vacation, sick leave, and a range of healthcare and retirement benefits. CIVIC values individuals at all points in their career trajectories, and CIVIC is committed to fostering the professional growth of its staff. Within CIVIC and the broader VA and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) communities, there are many opportunities for continuing education, didactics, and training related to a broad variety of topics. Such opportunities include OHSU Departmental Grand Rounds or larger events, research in progress meetings, CIVIC conferences, analyst drop-in sessions, qualitative forums, and more.

Candidates must be US citizens in order to be eligible for VA employment. We are a highly collaborative team and are committed to developing and sustaining a workforce that supports the inclusion and professional growth of all people regardless of background.

Applications should include a cover letter and a resume/CV.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,094.00 - $61,275.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• List research projects involving human subjects and/or health services research methods that you have been involved with:
• For each of the projects above, briefly describe your role:
• For each of the research projects above, how long were you in that role?
• Briefly describe any experiences with social media/website management, media campaigns, and/or communications:
• Briefly describe any experience relevant to working with military veterans and/or the VA health care system:

Experience:

• Research: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Portland, OR 97239

jackharris.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, jackharris.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, jackharris.com is the ideal place to find your next job.