Researchers at Johns Hopkins University conduct clinical trials and clinical studies to discover new ways to prevent and treat diseases and other health problems. The Clinical Research Coordinator administratively coordinates clinical protocol implementation, typically for a single study. Will ensure efficient logistical implementation of the study activities and provide administrative support for research-related regulatory issues.

The Department of Neurology is seeking a Neuropsych Research Coordinator who will play a critical role in neuropsychological assessments and neuropathological adjudication of participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), the longest running study of aging in the USA. This is a unique cohort of subjects who are enrolled in their 40’s and 50’s and followed longitudinally over time until they pass away. A wealth of cognitive, clinical, neuroimaging and biomarker data is collected from participants annually. This position will administer a battery of neuropsychological tests to participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) Autopsy Study at Medstar Harbor Hospital and in participant homes across the continental United States. This position will ensure data entry, storage, and transfer of data for the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the National Institute of Aging. This position will train testers to administer neuropsychological tests as needed. This position will arrange autopsies and postmortem MRI’s for local participants and facilitate out of state autopsies as needed. This position is responsible for preparing annual IRB reports and changes in research protocol. This position is also responsible for administering psychometric examinations, data and specimen collection and database entries for patients seen at the Center for CSF Disorders.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinate all activities of a clinical research study to ensure adherence to protocol and validity of findings.
• Participate in clinical study start-up meetings.
• Assist research nurses, study coordinators, principal investigators, and other study personnel in executing protocol-related activities.
• Explain the study background and rationale for the research to potential and current participants
• Contribute to the development of recruitment strategies for participants for assigned study.
• Implement a variety of techniques for recruitment as appropriate, e.g., print and web-based advertisements, contact referring physicians, participate in community events, etc.
• Independently conduct the consenting process or ensure consent is obtained on appropriate participants.
• Schedule participants for required activities and provide any special instructions prior to upcoming tests/exams.
• Serve as liaison to study participants.
• Assist with setup of the data collection system and enter and organize data.
• Assist in coordinating study meetings.
• Participate in study meetings and provide updates on protocol implementation status and make recommendations on operational issues.
• Assist with the preparation of submissions to the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Liaison with IRB on administrative matters and facilitate communications with the PI.
• Conduct literature searches to provide background information.
• Obtain and maintain excellent operating knowledge of assigned clinical protocol, clinical equipment, and clinical computer systems.
• Oversee budget expenditures for study operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties above

• Schedule, prepare, and present case conferences for participants in the BLSA for diagnostic purposes.
• Enroll and withdraw participants in the BLSA Autopsy Study.
• Conduct home and hospital visits to assess cognitive function.
• Interview subject informants, consent subjects and generate annual IRB reports.
• Perform duties related to the BLSA Autopsy Study and Center for CSF Disorders.
• Coordinate the safe transfer of biospecimens to storage freezers located on site, maintain an inventory, monitor and oversee the maintenance schedules for freezers to ensure samples will remain viable for future analyses.

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Related undergraduate or work experience in human subjects research.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Attention to Detail - Awareness
• Clinical Trial Management System - Awareness
• Data Entry - Awareness
• Data Collection and Reporting - Awareness
• Data Management and Analysis - Awareness
• Interpersonal Skills - Awareness
• Oral and Written Communications - Awareness
• Organizational Skills - Awareness
• Project Coordination - Awareness
• Regulatory Compliance - Awareness

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Clinical Research Coordinator 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Neuropsych Research Coordinator (Neurology)   
Role/Level/Range: ACRO37.5/03/CD  
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY (Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Medicine Campus  
Department name: SOM Neuro Bay Sleep   
Personnel area: School of Medicine