Research Assistant

Position description

• Based at the Sunshine hospital with an occasional travel to the Baker Institute at Prahran and the Northern Hospital
• Full-time, 1-year contract with potential for renewal
• Generous salary packaging options

The mission of the Clinical Diabetes and Epidemiology group is to understand why and how diabetes is affecting population health, and to use this to improve population health. The special expertise of the group is in developing and running large-scale population-based observational studies.

We are seeking a Research Assistant with experience in undertaking clinical research. In this role you will be responsible for collecting data and samples from participants in a large observational study of the complications of diabetes. Your key skill will include the venepuncture, the ability to follow protocols, collect data accurately, work with other members of the team, and treat research participants with kindness and respect, while adhering to protocol requirements.

The successful candidate will be required to work across the three study site locations: the Sunshine Hospital, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute; and the Northern Hospital, depending on study activities.

In this role you will be expected to:

• Contact potential participants who are responding to advertisements and carry out telephone screening.
• Identify and recruit potential study participants from the study clinic sites, and screen them for suitability for the study.
• Manage participant appointments, book clinical research rooms for study visits, book procedures done by collaborating units, as required by the protocol.
• Ensure the studies under supervision are conducted according to good clinical research practice. This includes being audited by external regulatory groups.
  • Undertake anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Conduct questionnaires relating to medical history, neuro-cognitive status, and psychological and behavioural factors. Carry out measures of walking speed and grip strength.
  • Perform venepuncture, and deal with handling, processing and storage of blood and urine specimens. This includes maintaining awareness of appropriate blood handling procedures in relation to safety and laboratory techniques.
• Maintain accurate data entry and documentation of all study activities.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant records.

You will have:

• Relevant experience in clinical research studies or nursing qualifications.
• Venepuncture and experience in sample handling and processing.
• Excellent organisation and coordination skills, and initiative.
• Accuracy of data measurement and recording, with a very high attention to detail.
• Previous study recruitment experience.
• A high level of interpersonal skills, to liaise effectively with a wide range of people at a variety of levels internal and external to Institute.

Working at the Baker Institute offers flexibility, professional development, and the opportunity to contribute to a research centre of world renown. Benefits include generous salary packaging, an employee assistance program, as well as modern offices and laboratories adjacent to the Alfred Hospital and walking distance to St Kilda Road, Chapel Street, and Fawkner Park.

Remuneration will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

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Applications should include a current resume and cover letter, quoting reference EV01. Applications without these documents will not be considered. We are reviewing applications as they are received so if you think you're the right person for this role, we'd love to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must hold appropriate Australian work rights and be immunised with the COVID-19 vaccination in accordance with COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Directions (No 4) and a current influenza vaccination in accordance with mandatory vaccination of health care workers directions. More details of the role can be found in the position description, for further information please contact the person listed below.

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We will close this job ad as soon as we have enough applicants so please apply without delay.

Elena Vulikh
Research Project Manager
T: (03) 8532 1***
E: ************@baker.edu.au