Position Summary/ Department Summary:
Neuroimmunology Center Clinical Research Assistant within the Department of Neurology
The Clinical Research Assistant in the Pediatric Neuro-immunology Center will oversee patient screening, enrollment, data collection, data entry, sample transfer and collaborations on several studies in pediatric neuroimmunologic diseases.
Studies will include 1) Biomarkers In Neuroinflammatory Disorders (BIND): prospective biosample collection for all eligible patients in the Neuroimmunology Center to drive existing and future biomarker studies; 2) Natural history and add-on studies in the nationwide Pediatric Multiple sclerosis and other Demyelinating Diseases Database as part of our work as a site in the United States Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers (http://www.usnpmsc.org/index.html), and 3) clinical research on autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis-associated epilepsies, including a clinical trial and a NIH-funded prospective rare disease cohort/biorepository. There is potential for growth and exposure to other studies.
The CRA will receive training through Boston Children’s Hospital-wide and Department of Neurology-specific mechanisms, current Neuroimmunology Center clinical research staff and Department of Neurology Clinical Research staff. This clinical research position will offer mentorship from senior research coordinator, project manager and neurology attendings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Patient screening and enrollment
• Consent/assent patients and their parents in person at outpatient clinic visits, during inpatient hospital admissions, and remotely
• Gather data directly from patients and families and the electronic medical record to complete case report forms
• Data entry into RedCap and other databases
• Work with a multidisciplinary team and multiple principal investigators
• Facilitate order entry, sample collection and sample transfer for biorepositories
• Conduct patient randomization and outcome metric collection for clinical trial patients in the intensive care unit
• Collaborations with an external Data Coordinating and Analysis Center for several funded studies focused on pediatric neuroimmunologic diseases.
• On site presence to facilitate enrollments and sample collection that may be with short notice.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
A Bachelor’s Degree in STEM or Psychology is required.

Experience:
Science interest and background, neuroscience experience preferred but not required.
1. Analytical skills to gather and interpret data, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
2. Effective communication and writing skills to provide critical information to team members, patients, and families with ability to triage and escalate concerns to appropriate leadership.
3. Problem-solving, troubleshooting abilities and resourcefulness.
4. People skills including with children
5. Willingness to learn