Research Assistant II
The Department of Psychiatry Research Interest Group, St. Joseph’s Hospital, is currently looking for a Research Assistant . We are a collaborative, clinician-led initiative dedicated to advancing innovative mental health research across diverse areas of psychiatry. Our research spans consultation-liaison psychiatry, psychosocial oncology, palliative care, neuromodulation, bariatric psychiatry, early psychosis, and quality improvement, employing both quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to address clinically relevant questions and improve patient care. Research assistants will have the opportunity to contribute to all stages of the research process, including ethics submissions, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, manuscript preparation, and knowledge translation, while working closely with an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and trainees.
The primary role of the Research Assistant includes providing essential assistance, organizational and administrative support to research projects.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people in underrepresented communities are less likely to apply to jobs when they don’t meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we still welcome you to apply.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Research Duties (55% of work time)
The Research Assistant supports and assists the research activities needed for each project.
Non-Laboratory Research Tasks
Collect, compile, update and provide basic statistical information and other data to generate and prepare reports and other documentation to support study related data and create data abstracts.
Collect and assist in the processing and compilation, verification, maintenance, and archiving of research data.
Collect, transcribe, organize, quality control, and data enter study related data.
Support the preparation of forms (e.g., reimbursement forms, REB applications, contract submission forms).
REB submission reviews
May be the point of contact for external and internal partners for data collection purposes.
May engage in data processing activities as needed for the project (i.e., Cleaning/coding data in specific programs).
Conduct general coding/analysis of qualitative data.
May assist research team with manuscript and report writing, including writing abstracts for papers, conferences, and 1-page summaries, and the creation of endnote files.
Support manuscript preparation (providing overviews of methodology, and data collection metrics), and submission
Perform literature searches/data mining on requested topics through databases and provide relevant articles to PI or research team.
Interact with various departments such as pharmacy, laboratories, medical records, etc. and with internal and external stakeholders in order to provide administrative support.
Collect feedback from multiple partners on projects re: proposals, manuscripts, and dissemination tools (sometimes >50 authors) including record keeping of feedback and changes to authorship order.
Interpretation and analysis of data
Participate in/join committees (LKSI, UHT, REDI, CARESA, external).
Recruitment and Coordination of Study Participants
Act as the on-site point of contact for the studies at participating community/healthcare organizations.
Administer quantitative surveys to study participants at participating community organizations using online survey tool (data collection).
Provide feedback to participants and research staff and arranges follow-ups, as required.
Develop / maintain trusted relationships with participants, on- and off-site staff, community site contacts and stakeholders.
Recruit study participants through various means, sometimes in collaboration with study team or staff at participating community organizations.
Screen participants and obtain required documentation.
Schedule interviews and participants.
Develop and maintain accurate records of participant’s data and progress during projects (including eligibility criteria, recruitment info, sample collections, follow-up, and results of tests, and other relevant information).
Complete participant assessments through general clinical procedures such as taking medical history, updating medication lists.
Collect data via phone calls, interviews.
Follow strict protocols for participant interactions.
Prepare reimbursement forms and payment requisitions for study-related invoices and expenses.
Facilitate compensation of study participants under direction of study team/PI.
Provide nursing related patient/participant care.
Travel to participant sites as required.
Administrative Duties (40% of work time)
Develop correspondence and other relevant documentation, including letters, memos, reports, invoices, abstracts, forms etc. to support the activities of the research team and Principal Investigator.
Coordinate communication between team and external partners including formatting/communicating strategies with stakeholders (study updates and newsletters); and sending mass emails to end users of research
Participate in database processing and management.
Organize video/teleconference meetings for research studies, including contacting attendees and preparing meeting materials.
Help log manuscript submissions.
Maintain calendars and manage complex scheduling requests.
Prepare REB/CTO submissions relative to the initiation and conduct of individual studies.
Register study protocols.
Collect conflict of interest forms.
Help maintain CVs of the PIs, and external partners.
With support from study team/PI creates slides for webinars, written study reports scientific meetings, and conferences.
General office (incld. virtual) duties, e.g., filing, mailings, courier services, photocopying, printing, scanning, distributing information etc.
Day to Day Project and Staff Guidance Tasks (5% of work time)
May assist in training research students, new recruits (Research Assistant I’s), summer students, Ph.D. students in collecting data, and coordinating summer student’s schedules.
May support onboarding and mentoring of incoming research assistants, providing them with resources to conduct their day-to-day tasks, answering all of their questions, supporting them as they integrate into the team.
May handle operations of the research team (incl. Research contracts, research financial (invoices, p-card, payment requisitions forms), HR (payroll, job descriptions, interviews), budgets, education (courses), reporting deadlines, and overall day to day management of the team's resources (ordering supplies, manage office space).
Performs cross functional and other duties as assigned and/or requested.
All staff are expected to carry out their assigned duties and responsibilities in a manner which prioritizes patient and employee safety and confidentiality. Key accountabilities in this regard include:
Strict compliance with patient/employee confidentiality practices and policies
Strict compliance with patient/employee safety practices and standards.
Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee confidentiality breaches in accordance with established policies and procedures
Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee safety risks and incidents/events in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Qualifications:
Undergraduate Degree and 1 year of relevant experience, OR demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience.
TCPS CORE 2 is preferred (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)
Health Canada Division 5 is preferred (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)
Good clinical practice certificate is an asset (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)
Responsible Conduct of Research is an asset
Demonstrated knowledge of project’s topic.
Demonstrated knowledge of medical and scientific terminology.
Social media skills are an asset.
Demonstrated understanding of mental health concepts and counseling is an asset.
Knowledge of research ethics, confidentiality, and documentation standards.
Comfortable working with data sets an asset.
Previous experience working a lab is an asset
Awareness of social determinants of health, sensitivity and awareness of issues impacting research participants. Clinical skills for working with vulnerable groups is preferred
Strong computer skills, particularly database, spreadsheet, and word processing.
Ability to learn and use reference management systems and research databases.
PowerPoint skills: able to develop slide decks that help create interest/visual appeal in presentations is an asset.
Experience with a reference manager (i.e. EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, etc.) is preferred.
Statistical knowledge and analysis, Windows access, advance excel training is an asset
Statistical programming skills (E.g., Stata, R/R Studio, SPSS, SAS, etc.) are an asset.
Excellent communication (verbal/written) and interpersonal skills are necessary
Able to keep written records
Able to understand written and verbal direction
Progressively responsible experience in a clerical position
Patience, compassion, non-judgmental and interest serving priority populations.
Problem Solving
Computer Skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent attention to detail
Proven ability to learn new skills
Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks in a timely manner and flexibility to adapt to changing workload
Ability to work in a diverse team environment
Ability to work long hours to complete complex/delayed tasks
Able to take initiative
Able to work in a fast paced, adaptable environment.
Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.
