JOB SUMMARY:

A Laboratory in the VUMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology is seeking a motivated individual to serve as a Clinical Trials Associate for a new CDC-funded program to monitor the long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. This individual will participate in the enrollment and management of study participants, particularly coordinating the logistics of specimen collection for routine laboratory testing. The position will involve close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of clinical laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, and other care partners.

Performs various duties involved in collecting, interpreting, and documenting data in support of clinical trials with regular guidance. Assists in ensuring adherence to protocols, appropriate regulations, and deadlines.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at Vanderbilt has a long and rich history of excellence in teaching, clinical service, and research. Our collaborative efforts in personalized medicine in cancer, pharmacogenomics and the creation of Diagnostic Management Teams are at the "leading edge" of a revolution in the practice of pathology. The department lives and breathes our mantra that we are a "laboratory of the whole" for defining the future of pathology. We are committed to taking a leadership role in both basic and translational research in these areas of focus.

POSITION: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

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Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity -- of culture, thinking, learning and leading -- is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

VUMC Recent Accomplishments

Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments:

• US News & World Report: #1 Adult Hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville, named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of the top 20 adult hospitals, 10 nationally ranked adult specialty programs, with 3 specialties rated in the top 10 nationally, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt named as one of the Best Children's Hospital in the nation, with 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties nationally ranked.
• Healthcare's Most Wired: Among the nation's 100 "most-wired" hospitals and health systems for its efforts in innovative medical technology.
• Becker's Hospital Review: named as one of the "100 Great Hospitals in America", in the roster of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs and to its list of the 100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs.
• The Leapfrog Group: One of only 10 children's hospitals in the to be named at Leapfrog Top Hospital.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science: The School of Medicine has 112 elected fellows
• Magnet Recognition Program: Received our third consecutive Magnet designations.
• National Academy of Medicine: 22 members, elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievement
• Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index: 6^th year in a row that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists in assessing patient eligibility by gathering and reviewing the complete medical history of the patient.
• Collects and monitors all study patients' records to document treatments and outcomes. Reports all adverse reactions according to VU and protocol guidelines.
• Abstracts and records all patient data essential to the study onto required case report forms.
• Sets up the timeline of tests and required procedures for nurses.
• Checks values from lab and rates toxicity levels
• Coordinates with patient's PCP or testing facility to ensure tests or procedures are conducted as required.
• Prepares kits for procedures, labels tubes, and gives nurses specific times and dates for collection.
• Freezes,spins and separates samples, and cultures as necessary. Mails to designated labs.
• Calls or sends questionnaires to patients to check outcomes, survival rate, and quality of life and informs tumor registry, appropriate clinics, and hospital of patient status.
• Examine data and records to ensure compliance with protocols.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES:

RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION (NOVICE): Knowledgeable on all phases in the lifecycle of a sponsored research project. Well-versed in and able to assist researchers in reducing compliance risks and assisting in routine and specialized processes.

MEDICAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT (NOVICE):- Knowledge of how and where to store and maintain basic records associated with job assignments.

LABORATORY PRACTICES (NOVICE):- Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate laboratory practices in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Organizational Impact: Performs clearly defined tasks and methods described in detail to achieve standardized solutions that impact own performance with regular guidance.
• Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Follows a well-established process to solve routine problems where solutions are clearly prescribed.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Has basic job knowledge of systems and procedures that are common to own job.
• Team Interaction: Individually contributes to the team.

CORE CAPABILITIES:

SUPPORTING COLLEAGUES (S1):

• - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.
• - Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, and working styles and develops relationships across areas.
• - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner.

DELIVERING EXCELLENT SERVICES (S1):

• - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, and needs of others and how to provide excellent service.
• - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner.
• - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support.

ENSURING HIGH QUALITY (S1):

• - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards Ensures continuous improvement.
• - Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools, or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond.
• - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department.

MANAGING RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY (S1):

• - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service.
• - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources.
• - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision-making to consistently achieve results on time and without error.

FOSTERING INNOVATION (S1):

• - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.
• - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action.
• - Adapts to Change: Embraces change by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Qualifications - External

Associate's Degree (or equivalent experience) and < 1-year experience

Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration (LCR):

• Physical Requirements/Strengths needed & Physical Demands:
  
  Movement
  
  • Occasional: Sitting: Remaining in a seated position
  • Occasional: Standing: Remaining on one's feet without moving.
  • Occasional: Walking: Moving about on foot.
  • Occasional: Lifting under 35 lbs: Raising and lowering objects under 35 lbs from one level to another
  • Occasional: Push/Pull: Exerting force to move objects away from or toward them.
  • Occasional: Bending/Stooping: Trunk bending downward and forward by bending spine at waist requiring full use of lower extremities and back muscles
  • Occasional: Reaching below shoulders: Extending arms in any direction below shoulders.
  • Occasional: Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hand or hands.
  
  Sensory
  
  • Occasional: Vision: Clarity of near vision at 20 inches or less and far vision at 20 feet or more with depth perception, peripheral vision, and color vision.
  • Frequent: Noise: May include exposure to occupational noise levels that equal or exceed an 8-hr time-weighted average of 85 decibels, requiring enrollment in VUMC's Hearing Conservation Program which includes training, use of hearing protection, and periodic audiometry.
  • Continuous: Communication: Expressing or exchanging written/verbal/electronic information.