Department: MED-Ctr-Dissemination & Implem
Salary/Grade: NEX/9

Job Summary:

The Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science (CDIS) led by Dr. Sara Becker is within the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) at the Feinberg School of Medicine. The central vision of CDIS is to bridge the gap between public health/medical knowledge (what we know) and public health/medical practice (what we do). D&I science is essential to realize the full impact of public health and medical research. Traditional, passive dissemination strategies such as publishing clinical recommendations, trials, or guidelines are insufficient for realizing practice change. Innovative, proactive strategies for increasing the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based interventions in community and clinical settings are essential for improving population health and driving health care innovation.

This Research Study Assistant (RA) will support the Principal Investigator on several NIH-funded concurrent implementation initiatives focused on promoting the uptake of contingency management across multiple opioid treatment programs throughout New England and Chicago. The initiatives involve implementation of contingency management, an intervention in which patients earn incentives for meeting treatment goals. Activities involve communicating with partnering opioid treatment program staff and leaders via phone/Zoom/email; facilitating trainings in contingency management; outreach to providers for completion of study assessments at multiple timepoints following study protocols; listening to role plays of contingency management to provide feedback on fidelity. The RA is also expected to help with organization and maintenance of project documents and files, contributing to the continual submission of IRB documents, annual grant progress reports, and data safety monitoring board reports.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Recruits study participants.
• Technical
• Recruits study participants.
• Reviews & obtains informed consent.
• Schedules study visits with participants.
• Conducts interviews.
• Scores test results.
• Collects survey data.
• Facilitates communication with key personnel & participants to maintain project study flow.

Administration

• Participate in, organize, and develop materials (e.g., agendas, minutes, summaries) for internal and external meetings and site-visits in collaboration with study team.
• Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting & entering data; &/or preparing basic charts & graphs.
• Performs scientific literature searches in support of research.

Finance

• Submit for reimbursements for participants.

Supervision

• May train other research staff to interview/test participants.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to set goals and work independently to manage both short- and long-term responsibilities.
• Ability to receive and incorporate feedback into work products.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work conditions
• Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Ability to compile and enter data accurately.
• Flexibility in scheduling of research assessments including sessions during early morning, evening, and weekend hours.
• Knowledge of computer applications, including word processing and data entry.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience working in a clinical setting or with a clinical population (i.e., volunteer experience in psychiatric hospital, experience in clinical research lab, etc.).
• Previous experience conducting structured clinical interviews or patient assessments.
• Experience and familiarity with grant funding and IRB procedures.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of experimental research methodology and clinical research procedures.
• Ability to use and navigate computer applications such as videoconference software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), reference management software (e.g., Endnote, Zotero, Mendeley), data management software (e.g., Redcap, Qualtrics), and project management software (e.g., Filemaker).
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred.

The target hiring range for this position will be between $16.55-$20.69 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
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