Item 9.R-February 14, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): None
Position #(s):
Current Title: Psychiatric Research Assistant
Current Range: 2
(JCC:67454)
Department: Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
College/Division: VP, Health Sciences /
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Account #(s): 1108-119-1601
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position:
Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
(X) Proposed Reassignment from Range 2
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
1
Range:
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature Brian Kirkpatrick, Chair, Psychiatry & Beh Sci
Date
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Thomas Schwenk, VP, Health Sciences/Dean, UNSOM
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67454 Range:
1
Pos #(s):
JCC:
EEO: 3H
Eff: 2/1/2014
Approved Title: Psychiatric Research Assistant
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 10/1/2012
Position Description – Psychiatric Research Assistant
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Psychiatric Research Assistant in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is
responsible for the range of tasks involved in coordinating clinical research protocols which includes
working with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) (preparing applications based on protocols,
cooperating with IRB oversight), recruiting research subjects, conducting participants through studies
according to protocols, maintaining data, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. The
position reports to the Chair, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
70% - Conduct Research Protocols
 Conduct all research activities within an ethically-based framework and in accordance with
good clinical practices, i.e., Federal, State, and Institutional regulatory requirements
 Recruit research subjects and participate in the informed consent process
 Assure subject safety
 Prepare site for study initiation
 Conduct subjects through studies in accordance with protocols
 Apply psychiatric rating scales
 Obtain and process blood samples
 Facilitate timely completion of Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA) or grant proposal where
applicable
 Maintain ongoing communication with Institutional Review Board (IRB) throughout all phases
of research
 Prepare IRB applications under the direction of the study investigator(s)
20% - Budget Management and Reporting
 Manage financial aspects of studies including quarterly and annual reports as required
 Maintain protocol budgets
 Enter data and maintain study records according to Sponsor and/or regulatory requirements;
document and manage data; submit reports
 Facilitate audits
 Assist in the maintenance of clinical research billing accounts payable, accounts receivable,
and provide flow sheets for active and closed clinical trials
10% - Grant and Protocol Preparation
 Aid in the development of new research protocols and the assessment of study feasibility
 Assist in preparation of grant applications, including budget and liaison with UNSOM offices
and the development of budgets
 Assist in the preparation of new protocol applications
 Assist in the submission to funding agencies of applications designed by investigators
 Assist in contract negotiations if any and, as needed on an ongoing basis, budgetary analysis
for clinical projects
Position Description – Psychiatric Research Assistant
Page 3
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
The Psychiatry Research Assistant reports to the Department Chair but will work closely with
individual research investigators on each protocol. The Research Assistant is expected to operate
with a considerable degree of independence and must follow study protocols and remain in
compliance with all relevant UNSOM and federal rules and regulations. The individual must pay
particular regard to protection of human subjects, correct maintenance of research data, and
adherence to the budget for each protocol. He or she will assist Department investigators in
preparing, developing, and submitting research grant applications.
Impact:
The position makes it possible for the Department faculty to receive assistance in conducting clinical
research and completing clinical projects. The decisions and judgments made by the research
assistant affect the quality of the research performed, its compliance with the requirements of the
protocol, and the ability of the Department to participate in such research. Accurate and complete
performance of the job duties associated with the position is crucial to patient health. Failure to
perform as expected could result in substandard subject outcomes and failure to receive continued
and new funding for projects.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Basic science and research as evidenced by degree requirements
Skills:
 Entry and maintenance of data
 Blood drawing and processing of human blood samples (may be learned on the job if other
essential skills are present)
 Organizational and time management skills
 Human relations skills
 Good verbal and written communication
Ability to:
 Actively support the Department and University in accordance with University policies and
maintain competency
 Communicate directly and honestly and use complete and open communication in an
appropriate manner and in an appropriate setting
 Work with patients with serious mental illness and with nonpatient volunteer research subjects
 Administer psychiatric rating scales and cognitive tests with instruction
 Manage multiple complex studies according to protocol and in compliance with all relevant
regulations
 Set priorities in order to make studies move forward
 Prepare reports for oversight groups
 Maintain study budgets
Position Description – Psychiatric Research Assistant
Page 4
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
Individual Department
investigators
Reason for Contact
To understand, manage, and assist with research protocols and to
ensure compliance with approved protocol
External
Institutional Review Board
Reason for Contact
To prepare applications, comply with regulations, and submit
reports
To ensure compliance with UNSOM and federal regulations
UNSOM offices overseeing grant
applications and research
budgets
Granting agencies
Research subjects
To assist in the preparation of applications, and prepare
appropriate reports
To recruit subjects and conduct them through protocols
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution.
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Bachelor’s Degree and one year of work experience, or a Master’s Degree, with
emphasis in a medical or health care environment; experience gained while working
toward Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree may be used toward work experience
Preferred Licenses and Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None