Research Assistant 2 (General Psychiatry)

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Organization:

Psychiatry – Research

Job Summary:

Clinically Oriented Research Assistant in the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Neuromodulation Lab

Job Summary: Full-time research assistant to join a laboratory within the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital focused on the study of neuromodulation (i.e. brain stimulation) interventions for psychotic disorders. Under indirect supervision, the research assistant will be responsible for recruiting research subjects into clinical research studies and assisting investigators in the collection and analysis of study data.

In particular, the research assistant will work alongside the principal investigator to conduct a randomized, controlled trial of a neuromodulation intervention (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS) for nicotine dependence in people with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. This will require a desire to work directly with individuals who experience psychosis and nicotine dependence as well as excellent organizational and data management skills.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The research assistant will be responsible for:

• Recruiting research participants into research studies (independently or in conjunction with other clinical research staff)

• Assessing the participant’s eligibility for research studies

  
  

• Discussing informed consent with research subjects

• Scheduling research study visits

  
  

• Conducting clinical interviews of psychiatric symptoms and substance use

• Administering cognitive tests

  
  

• Carrying out neuroimaging study protocols

• Administering rTMS with supervision

  
  

• Using PsychoPy, EPrime, and Matlab to collect and analyze data

• Checking and maintaining data quality

  
  

• Training and supervising other lab members in data collection and data entry, including students

• Analyzing data for a variety of rTMS and neuroimaging projects

  
  

The research assistant will be an integral part of the study team, will regularly attend clinical meetings and will assist with recruitment in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Additional responsibilities include assisting with the management of Institutional Review Board approvals, database management, analysis of behavioral and brain imaging data, and assisting with manuscript preparation.

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and capable of working independently. Individuals interested in mental health, interventional psychiatry, neuromodulation, psychosis, addiction, and clinical trials are especially encouraged to apply. The position requires a high level of interpersonal skills, organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. It is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing an MD or PhD in neuroscience, psychology, or a related field. Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, or a related field. Experience in clinical research is highly desirable. Training in administration of rTMS, clinical interviewing, cognitive testing, and neuroimaging data analysis will be provided.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.

World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease.

Aligning with Vanderbilt Health’s Strategic Directions, the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff.

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one’s own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees’ effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: – Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. – Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: – Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

2 years

Education :

Bachelor’s

Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. EOE/AA/Women/Minority/Vets/Disabled