Translational Research Coordinator - Cancer Center

Description

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa is seeking a Translational Research Coordinator to coordinate observational and translational research projects and related laboratory investigations within the Biospecimen Procurement and Molecular Epidemiology Resource (BioMER) at The University of Iowa's Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (HCCC). This includes coordinating patient specimen and data workflows related to longitudinal translational research projects including the Molecular Epidemiology Resources (MERs) and Patients Enhancing Research Collaborations at Holden (PERCH), HCCC's comprehensive biorepository enrollment program. This position is responsible for coordinating collection and distribution of biospecimens and corresponding clinical data, development, and maintenance of project regulatory needs, maintaining multiple project related databases and creating/adapting workflows to meet requirements outlined in study protocols. Works closely with the Clinical Research Services and Biospecimen Procurement teams, collaborates with physicians and researchers in the development of translational and observational protocols and actively pursues research goals for the Translational Research Program.

Duties to include:

• Coordinates BioMER translational research studies including the recruitment, coordination, scheduling, and sample collection of participating subjects.
• Assists and consults with patients regarding concerns related to participation in the protocol study. Gather quality of life information from patients enrolled in study.
• Verify project goals and participant study eligibility with Principal Investigator, Sub-Investigator and or external site collaborators.
• Coordinates activities and workflows associated with collections/procurement, pathology review, documentation and distribution of tissue, blood, buccal, bone marrow and other approved samples from patients through close. interaction with tissue procurement services, translational research coordinators, pathologists, physicians, and other related clinical care and research staff.
• Populates and enhances databases containing research information obtained through review of patient charts and samples, lab reports and other related information and in a manner that complies with Institutional Review Board requirements and in response to physician and research needs and requirements. May create new databases for new projects as needed.
• Validates data, performs query resolutions, and makes recommendations for resolution. Works with biostatisticians to complete statistical analysis of data and prepares data for computer analysis.
• Assists with ongoing research collaborations involving outside institutions ensuring that data and samples are collected and processed in a manner consistent between the institutions.
• Gathers and maintains data for research trials and laboratory investigations within the HCCC. Creates worksheets, flow sheets and assorted tools to provide source documentation of protocol procedures.
• Maintains skills/competency related to specimen processing equipment, and procedures common to the patient population of the HCCC.
• May prepare reports to University Institutional Review Board (IRB-01) for assigned projects. Compiles accrual data for these studies, reviews and summarizes information for principal investigators, IRB-01 and federal/sponsor required reporting.
• Initiates and composes correspondence and related materials to principal investigators outlining review of the protocol studies, maintains documentation of protocols and relevant data, follow-up correspondence, and summaries.
• Coordinate preparation of Data and Material Sharing Agreements for ancillary projects associated with current projects for external and internal investigators. May initiate routing of agreements through Sponsored Programs and Office for Research.
• Assists in the development and preparation of materials for reports to be written by faculty and staff on various observational oncology protocols and in compiling summary data for analysis, submission to study sponsors and for staff preparing reports, publications, manuscripts, research papers, grant funding proposals, and presentations.
• Acts as a liaison to the University Business Office by identifying exact patient tests and procedures being paid for by study sponsors and assisting patients with questions related to protocol billing procedures.
• Maintains records and services provided and monitors individual protocol budgets.
• Contribute to development of project budget for cost recovery and fee-for-service studies.
• May perform other administrative support tasks in support of the research (e. g. , organize and facilitate meetings/ events, respond to inquiries, recruit research participants, monitor research protocols, data collection, analysis, and management; local site coordinator; maintain website content, etc. ).
• Assists with the preparation of educational materials for patients and other staff as needed to carry out protocol.
• Prepares comprehensive notes and reports detailing results of clinical research and the methods used.
• Provides and presents information to faculty, staff, patients and others on clinical research and methods employed in research studies.
• Selects, applies, and tests standard methodologies, techniques, and tools such as manuals, forms, and questionnaires; and assists in the development and revision of routine operating procedures, including means of organizing raw data.
• Attends coordinated protocol and laboratory meetings as required.
• Contribute to training of new members of the research team including research assistants and medical students.
• Perform other duties as assigned.