Career Center

The Center for Immunization Research MVAC team is looking for a highly-motivated, energetic Research Program Assistant II  with strong focus and attention to detail to work under the direction of the Principal Investigator and direct supervision of the Program Manager to carry out essential functions of the CIR and MVAC team. 

The Research Program Assistant II will work closely with the clinical research staff in the conduct of clinical trials for adult vaccines, therapeutics, and controlled human infections. This individual will support both clinical and laboratory research operations in compliance with study protocol, standard laboratory operating procedures, and regulatory and JHU standards. 

The Ideal candidate will have a mix of clinical and laboratory experience.  A good fit for a Med Tech professional (e.g. EMT, CMA, PCT, phlebotomist, vascular access tech) interested in growing into a career as a clinical research professional. This position will afford an opportunity to experience all facets of conduct of early phase clinical trials, including work within FDA regulations and ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Clinical Research Operations

• Assisting study team with the implementation of inpatient and outpatient research project(s)
  • Recruitment, screening, subject education, conducting informed consent, performing basic physical assessments according to SOP's and GCP's
  • Maintaining up to date knowledge of protocol(s) and protocol related SOPs
  • Working within IRB and GCP guidelines.
  • Attending training sessions for IRB updates, Human subject's protection, HIPAA, DOT/IATA, CPR, Bloodborne Pathogens and renewals as required by sponsor or university, and others as assigned.
  • Communicating status of research activities to study team and volunteers
  • Representing project(s) at the research subject level.
  • Communicating with other study staff, practice staff, research and volunteers.
  • Acurate completion of source documents
  • Data entry and report generation from computer programs such as FreezerPro (specimen tracking database) and sponsor databases, Red Cap and Recruitment databases
  • Working independently and cooperatively as a team member
  • Contributing to SOPs
  • Attending MVAC team meetings
  • Willing to learn how to obtain and record vital signs
  • Assisting and supporting other staff when necessary, and knows when to seek assistance.
  • Assist in maintaining and supplying the CIR clinical research units
  • Holds self accountable for professional, responsible conduct. 
  • Demonstrates excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
  • Detail oriented, well-organized, self-motivated, superior time managements skills.
  • Perform reasonable job duties, even if not part of the job description, as assigned by supervisor or Principal Investigator.
  • Complete annual CPR and other regulatory, clinical, and laboratory training and certifications as requested.

Clinical Research Laboratory Operations

• Research and clinical specimen collection (i.e., volunteer blood, urine, saliva, stool and nasal wash), testing and processing  
  • Phlebotomy and IV insertion (required)
  • Complying with universal safety precautions to protect self and co-workers from biohazardous materials, including blood-borne pathogens
  • Perform and document clinical laboratory testing allowed by CLIA
  • Specimen Preparation – printing specimen labels, labeling specimens and aliquot tubes, printing requisitions, centrifuging samples
  • Specimen Processing – Completing specimen tracking sheets, Urinalysis, Serum hCG, flash freezing, aliquoting, packaging and sample transport to processing and storage locations.
  • Ship specimens according to DOT/IATA standards
• Coordinate manufacturer recommended calibration/maintenance of centrifuges, microscopes, pipettes, specimen freezers and refrigerators
  • Equipment maintenance –Clean centrifuges, drain and clean water bath, wipe microscope lenses, de-ice Freezers, check and log freezer/refrigerator temps, check emergency equipment
• Assist in the creation/revision of clinical laboratory procedures according to GCP/GLP standards
  • Complying with laboratory QA/QC protocols and procedures and lab safety protocols
  • Create specimen collection flow sheet for new study protocols
  • Maintain all clinical laboratory documents including but not limited to SOPs, MSDS and equipment maintenance logs
• Participating in freezer inventory
• Operate laboratory machinery

Requires the ability to flex schedule at the supervisor's request to work some evenings, nights or weekends as required by study needs, however most work will accomplished during normal clinic hours, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Two years related experience. 
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.*

* JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience.  For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Medical Laboratory Technology Certification preferred.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient with adult phlebotomy and IV insertion and maintenance required.
• Must be able to strategize, prioritize and problem solve effectively during periods of high volume critical tasks
• Must be comfortable using Microsoft office software such as Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Familiarity with databases (FreezerPro preferable), accurate data entry, and report generation.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasionally lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 50 lbs., such as specimens packed in dry ice.
• Will require travel to the JHMI campus, particularly between Hampton House on Broadway and the laboratory on Wolfe Street.
• Will require travel to the auxillary clinical site at Northpoint.
• Duties may require standing, walking, or sitting for an extended periods of time.
• Requires dexterity to manipulate objects, such as pipetting and other laboratory duties.

Classified Title: Research Program Assistant II
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC  
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with experience  
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F, 8hrs/day = 40 hours per week 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Public Health  
Department name: ​​​​​​​Ctr for Immnztn Rsch Vaccine Scis CIR 
Personnel area: School of Public Health 

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

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