Clinical Research Assistant – Alzheimer’s disease; AD

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR) supports the nation's second largest research program conducted among the VA Hospitals and is looking for a full-time Clinical Research Assistant. The Clinical Research Assistant position in the Chao lab, which is part of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System and Stanford University, will assist in conducting human clinical research studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention under the direction of the Supervisor.

The Research Assistant will support research to understand the full spectrum of Alzheimer's disease (AD) from its earliest stages.

The study participants are older adults with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's dementia who have volunteered to undergo repeated MRI, PET, neuropsychological measures, and blood and CSF biomarkers. These ongoing studies are part of an international network of sites looking at the relationships between cognitive, neuroimaging, genetic and biomarker data. Future research studies will focus on the treatment of AD at an early stage.

PAVIR offers generous benefits
, including comprehensive health insurance, vision, dental,
14 paid holidays
, paid vacation time, sick pay, a 401(k) with a fully vested 6% company match and 3% profit share
, a wellness program, commuter benefits, and professional development training. Plus, we pay for life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance. Full time hours are 40 hours a week.

• Assist in Study Coordination:
  • Schedule study procedures, which may include MRI brain scan, PET scans, physician assessment, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood draw, and lumbar puncture;
  • Coordinate schedules with members of research team;
  • Handle study correspondence;
  • Maintain participants study binders, progress notes, and study logs.
• Test research participants:
  • Administer neuropsychological tests, questionnaires, and collect medical information according to the study protocols.
• Enter data in databases and upload data:
  • Accurately score neuropsychological (NP) tests. Enter NP and other study data into EDC;
  • Upload brain imaging files and source documents to the data coordinating site.
• Assist with brain scans:
  • Accompany study volunteers to PET and MRI centers;
  • Coordinate and assist in pre-scan safety screening for participant's safety and comfort and for research integrity.
• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse) via an electronic vital sign monitor and compute Body Mass Index.
• Facilitate collection of blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers:
  • Accompany study volunteers to clinical research unit for yearly blood draws and for biennial lumbar punctures performed by the study physician;
  • Handle human specimens including tubes of blood, CSF, and screening urine sample;
  • Package and ship samples for processing per the research protocol.
• Manage and maintain scientific and regulatory files:
  • Maintain IRB approval. Keep the Study Regulatory Binder up to date.
  • Perform online literature searches (Endnote and PDFs);
  • Assist in preparing grant proposals and articles for publication, including tables and graphs;
• Provide backup to other research staff (especially to RA working on a clinical research study of whether an investigational drug can slow AD-related memory decline and neurodegeneration);
• Provide general clerical assistance when needed, e.g. answer phones, greet subjects; photocopy study forms.
• Other tasks as assigned.

• Required: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required;
• 0-2 years of related experience.
• Desired: Bachelor's degree in Human Biology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, or a related field;
• Previous experience with subject recruitment in a research environment.
• Highly reliable with demonstrated organizational ability;
• Accurate record keeping and attention to detail;
• Experience with elderly, cognitively impaired, anxious, and/or difficult subjects highly desired;
• Research experience in psychological test administration highly desired;
• Knowledge of standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the research field gained through education or experience;
• Ability to understand and follow VA regulations and procedures regarding research;
• Knowledg…