Description
The Department of Paediatrics in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Pediatric ICU Research Assistant. This Part-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 6 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The Pediatric ICU Research Program successfully supports numerous clinical research studies for various Principal Investigators within the Alberta Children's Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). As a member of the PICU Research team, this position reports to the Program Manager. This requires working closely with the Program Manager, other Research Assistants, Coordinators and directly with staff in the PICU. Approximately 28 hours a week.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Clinical Trial Start Up
- Develops a thorough understanding of the new clinical trial protocol with support from the PI and Program Manager and uses that knowledge to create engaging training materials
- Knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines are embedded in the training materials that are created for clinical staff that will be working on this new project
- Ability to translate the protocol into data collection elements within the REDCap database. The database will be simple, straightforward and appropriate for the analysis needed
- Reviews chart information for patients in the PICU to determine eligibility and suitability for various research studies
- Follows GCP, ICH guidelines and all relevant protocol and SOP requirements during the informed consent process and ongoing study activities
- Completes the screening of patients utilizing appropriate tools and manuals of procedure; utilizes an advanced knowledge and skill in research procedures
- Carries out all protocol activities, ensuring excellence in delivery of the research process
Communication/Relationships
- Communicates with clinical staff in the ICU about research study requirements to ensure compliance with clinical protocols and ongoing safety and care for the patients
- Good relationships are developed and maintained with various clinical staff and allied health professionals within both the team and the Department of Pediatrics
- Develops strong and collaborative relationships with PICU Research Team members
- Cultivates respectful and appropriate communication with patients and families within the PICU during their treatment for critical illness and their ongoing participation in clinical research studies
Administration
- Helps with ongoing research program materials such as manual of procedure for new research studies
- Manages their own time effectively, and ensures PIs and the Program Manager are kept informed of activities and progress of work
- Responsible for extensive working knowledge of all ongoing research projects with training and support from the Program Manager and the rest of the team
- Maintain accurate and detailed records of changing patient status to monitor patient eligibility and communicate tasks across the team
- Ensure data entry is accurate and precise and is entered in a timely manner according to research protocols
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelor Degree required, preferably in health-related field. Candidates with a graduate or nursing degree will be given preference
- At least 2 years of experience with clinical research. Previous experience in critical care, pediatric, emergency medicine, or oncology will be given preference
- Proficiency with designing a REDCap database for a new clinical trial; understanding the protocol and translating it into a functional data collection form
- Ability to communicate research-related information to a lay audience of patients and family members, and translate this information into creative, accurate and engaging educational materials
- Demonstrates an ability to design educational materials and lead teaching sessions for clinical staff
- Experience interacting directly with patients, especially children and their families is required. Work within an ICU or emergency department will be given preference
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Other languages will be considered an asset
- Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to create a work plan, complete work independently, prioritize competing tasks, and coordinate workload with other team members
- Ability to navigate emotionally stressful situations, especially with critically ill children and their families is an asset
- Experience with screening and completing informed consent for clinical trials with study participants
- Experience with data cleaning and data analysis (quantitative and qualitative analysis) is an asset
- Experience with accessing patient level data from medical records. Experience with electronic medical records (ConnectCare) is an asset
- Strong attention to detail
- Proficiency working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), and research databases
- Knowledge of the University of Calgary processes and procedures is desirable
- Comfortable interacting with children, patients and families during stressful and emotional hospital admissions
- Comfortable working in a hospital environment, especially an intensive care unit with actively unwell children
- Will require a current (within 12 months) Police and Vulnerable Sector check as well as submission of up-to-date vaccination records
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
