POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under limited supervision the Research Nurse 2 will coordinate and implement the research methodologies for the recruitment, ascertainment, and enrollment of the research study participants for the human genetic studies in the Amish population. The research nurse will utilize their skill and training to enroll individuals utilizing history-taking skills and perform neuropsychology testing to evaluate for cognitive impairment which may include the input of a reliable informant and questionnaires involving questions about activities of daily living and social and environmental determinants of health. The research nurse must be familiar with working with the Amish population be sensitive and understanding of their culture and be able to explain the study in detail and ensure that the questions of the participants about genetics and Alzheimer’s disease are answered. The research nurse will utilize their skills as a phlebotomist to draw blood for the genetic studies.

The research nurse will work in an academic research lab that focuses on the genetic architecture of neurodegenerative and ocular diseases, with an emphasis on diversity, recognizing that these conditions manifest differently and at different rates in communities that historically have not been included in large-scale genetic research. Some of the labs foundational research has been among the Amish in Ohio, whose engagement has been instrumental in making breakthrough findings that inform their care and that can also be applied to larger and more diverse data sets.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Coordinate, implement, and evaluate clinical research trials, studies and/or projects. Provide direction in the development of research protocol and activities for the ascertainment, recruitment, and enrollment of study participants for the human genetics research studies in the Amish population. Work closely with the genetic research team who work on the same studies. Contact and travel to enroll participants at their homes and their exam locations. Utilizing a high degree of skill and training, ascertain and enroll participants, which requires sensitivity and experience working with the Amish population. Obtain and review family and medical histories and perform study-specific exams. Identify, obtain, and review appropriate medical records. Utilizing phlebotomy skills, draw, pack, and ship the blood samples for the study. (65%)
2. Identify individuals to be enrolled and maintain a method of keeping track of those eligible for enrollment. Enter study-specific data into the research database. Maintain accurate numbers of enrollments. Create and maintain complete research files and comprehensive databases, including consent forms, demographics, family, and medical history forms as well as all other study-specific forms. Compile reports for bi-weekly meetings and annual review. (25%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS

1. Assist in writing research grants, publications, and study materials. Develop and conduct participant and family education regarding the diseases being studied. Locate or write and provide resources to the participants and their families. Working with the Research Communications Manager, prepare regular research updates, for example, newsletters, publications, or study materials for study participants and contribute to the writing of research grants.  (5%)
2. May oversee financial accounts to ensure operations remain within budget. (1%)
3. Perform Travel to Case Western Reserve University as needed to work directly with the principal investigator(s) and study team. Participate in research group meetings (via zoom and once a year in person) and communicate with genetics research study associate III and principal investigator to ensure that work on the studies is being performed as needed and expected. Maintain open communication/collaboration with team working on the same studies. Maintain open communication with physicians and office staff participating in studies in the community. Make recommendations for the design and implementation of the ascertainment, recruitment, and enrollment of study participants for the human genetics research studies to which they are assigned. (2%)
4. May serve as author or co-author on research publications on the genetic architecture of neurodegenerative and ocular diseases. (1%)
5. Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with research operations manager and/or other ascertainment team members, contact as needed with the principal investigator, and ongoing contact with staff, faculty, postdocs, and study participants.

University: Occasional contact with purchasing, human resources, space, and facilities planning, environmental health, safety/contact, research administration, IRB, and sponsored projects accounting.

External: Occasional contact with vendors and collaborators at other universities, institutions, and industry.

Students: Continuous contact with students as needed for project data sharing.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide direction and may supervise Research Nurse 1 or other support staff.

QUALIFICAITONS

Education/Experience/Licensure: Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience or Associate's degree and 7 years of experience or High School education and 11 years of experience required. RN license in the state of Ohio is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Cultural competency in the Amish community.
2. Ensure compliance with IRB-approved protocols.
3. Strong communication skills and ability to educate participants in the research study and elicit family and medical history.
4. Ability to communicate methods, concepts, and study designs concisely and effectively to all groups as appropriate, relevant, and indicated.
5. Effective and professional interpersonal skills and demonstrated expertise and strong leadership skills in team-oriented environments.
6. Maintain a level of confidentiality commensurate with the nature of involvement with study participants, medical records, and other sensitive HIPAA, demographic, and family history information.
7. Good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
9. Demonstrated willingness to be hands-on and proactive.
10. Ability to multitask, work independently, and set own priorities, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
11. Ability to work effectively with internal and external colleagues and collaborators. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
12. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
13. Ability to draw blood and package and ship the blood samples.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office environment and equipment. Travel for enrollment ranges between 40 to 80 percent of the time for this position depending on various factors and will vary from time to time. Participant enrollment takes place in their homes. Ohio driver's license is required.