Clinical Translational Research Coordinator III (Idrees)

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

Surgical Oncology & Endocrine Surgery

Job Summary:

In your pivotal role as Clinical/Translational Research Coordinator III in the Kamran Idrees Lab, you will independently coordinate and manage the start-up, conduct, and closeout of clinical/translational research studies focused on histotripsy—an innovative, noninvasive focused ultrasound technology that mechanically destroys targeted tissue without surgery, radiation, or heat-based ablation. You will help ensure scientific integrity, participant safety, and full compliance with institutional policies, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and sponsor/regulatory requirements. You will lead day-to-day study operations such as regulatory documentation and audit readiness; accurate and timely data collection with query resolution; clinical biorepository and specimen lifecycle management (processing, inventory, multi-site tracking, and compliant shipping); study budgets and invoicing oversight; and continuous process improvement driven by defined performance metrics—serving as a primary liaison among investigators, sponsors, research staff, and participants.

REQUIRED:
• Bachelor’s (or equivalent experience)
• 3 years of experience
• Biorepository experience is a plus

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DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Vanderbilt Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, a part of the Vanderbilt Department of Surgery, has quickly become a national leader in comprehensive surgical care. Our emphasis is placed on the evaluation and treatment of patients with benign and malignant tissue disorders.

We use a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and work closely to coordinate our efforts with the Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Hematology, Surgical Pathology, Radiology and other disciplines.  For more information, please visit https://www.vumc.org/surgical-oncology/welcome.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsibilities for management of a clinical biorepository, including obtaining patient consent, tracking patient follow-up visits, processing fresh specimens, maintaining specimen inventory and storage, and updating biorepository, study, and registry databases.
• Accurately and compliantly prepares and maintains documents required to be maintained internally and available for regulatory authorities and/or the sponsor prior to, during and after the conduct of a clinical/translational trial. Participates in periodic site visits from sponsor, regulatory authorities and others to review research, source documentation and research procedures. Participates in data quality assurance reviews.
• Utilizes coordination skills to complete all research protocols, including patient recruitment, screening, scheduling and organizing of study visits, enrollment, assessments, interviews, laboratory and diagnostic studies, medication tracking and other protocol specific investigational procedures
• Identifies and procures equipment and supplies needed to fulfill project requirements (locally and across multiple sites, if required)
• Records data from source documentation and/or participant interaction onto case report forms (either paper or electronic) with awareness and attention to the requirements for accuracy, completeness and timeliness. Assures research information is collected and stored in a manner that is compliant with regulations/policies and good clinical practice. Attends to query resolution in a timely manner. Participates in the development of data collection tools
• Receives and tracks receipt and status of study specimens from multiple sites. Performs packaging and ships study specimens (blood, urine, etc.) to the sponsor or laboratory in accordance with sponsor and shipping guidelines and regulations, maintaining appropriate documentation
• Responsible for study completion processes including data lock, study closeout, reporting and archiving of study files, ensuring completeness and continuity of all study data, performing ongoing checks of clinical/translational data that has been entered on the case report forms (paper or electronic) or in reports and assuring archival of appropriate/required documentation
• With department administration, develops and manages study budgets, monitoring efficient invoicing and taking appropriate action to maintain clinical trial billing compliance, providing reports to investigators, department administration and funding agencies
• Serves as an advocate for human subjects by establishing and maintaining communication with Investigators, research staff, Sponsors, participants and representatives of professional organizations, participant advocates, and public responsible for, or concerned about, protections for human participants of research and through ongoing monitoring of trial processes and participants. With guidance, assesses and evaluates potential participants pertinent medical and historical information.
• Assesses for and implements process improvement initiatives within a clinical/translational trial and a department to assure research quality, and expedient completion of recruitment, timely receipt of research related payments and cost savings and expedient study reporting
• Defines and uses metrics to drive performance improvement. Shares metrics with investigators and administrators to demonstrate areas in need of improvement and tracks metrics to demonstrate effectiveness of improved processes
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES • Clinical Research (Intermediate): Demonstrates the ability to effectively research complicated issues pertaining to the area of expertise. Presents trial protocols to a steering committee. Often employs networking to help in researching issues. Sets up study centers, which includes ensuring each center has the trial materials and training site staff to trial-specific industry standards. Has used research resources maintained in outside areas. • People Management (Novice): Conducts performance reviews. Effectively delegates tasks to others. Coaches subordinates on technical and interpersonal topics, as well as professional development. Demonstrates team building techniques and provides leadership through personal example of good work habits, open communication and effective people relationships. Involves subordinates in decisions which affect them. Demonstrates self-reliance and resourcefulness as an example to others. • Study Design & Conduct (Intermediate): Applies qualitative and quantitative research methods to perform preparatory, regulatory, and analytic tasking within the life cycle of a study. • Project Coordination (Intermediate): Performs project tracking and reporting relative to task completion dates, dependency effects, problem anticipation, schedule conflicts, and assignment to appropriate staff for resolution. Manages prioritization procedures for changing scope [i.e., change management] and project acceptance procedures. Measures progress toward goals and revises project objectives and documents applying change control procedures. Assumes responsibility [as appropriate] for resolving issues and seeing work through to successful completion. Provides training to project managers and others on project related templates and toolsets. Develops methods to measure customer satisfaction and obtains feedback at critical milestones and at project completion to ensure project efforts meet customer expectations. • Communication (Intermediate): Clearly, effectively and respectfully communicates to employees or customers.

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: Independently delivers on objectives with understanding of how they impact the results of own area/team and other related teams. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes multiple sources of data to analyze and resolve complex problems; may take a new perspective on existing solution. Breadth of Knowledge: Has advanced knowledge within a professional area and basic knowledge across related areas. Team Interaction: Acts as a "go-to" resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small project teams.

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 :

3 years

Education :

Bachelor's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.