Clinical Research Coordinators- ACORN | Family Medicine | SOM | 622750 & 622760

Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Family Medicine

Department Summary:

Position Summary

The Clinical Research Coordinators will participate in all aspects of the research process, contributing to recruitment, data collection, processing, and dissemination activities in collaboration with senior investigators and project staff. This role is an essential part of the team, supporting Virginia’s Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN), the state’s primary care practice-based research network.

The Clinical Research Coordinators will support ongoing patient recruitment and enrollment for two active clinical trials. The primary study supported by this position is the NOSES trial, which aims to identify the most effective treatment options for patients with sinus infections. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolls adults with sinus-related symptoms, including acute sinus infections, the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19, and includes four treatment arms for patients who do not improve with standard care.  Responsibilities include delivering study supplies to participants and closely monitoring their symptoms and progress to support accurate and timely data collection. The position will also support the Vanguard Study, part of the Virginia Cancer Screening Research Network, which evaluates the efficacy of multi-cancer detection blood tests. Coordinators will assist with patient recruitment, scheduling, enrollment, community events, and data collection. Both trials are open to English and Spanish-speaking patients and community members.

Beyond clinical trial responsibilities, the coordinators will contribute to an ACORN community-engaged research study focused on reducing opioid-related mortality in Virginia. This includes supporting the development of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority Toolkit, an evidence-based online resource that helps cities and counties implement effective programs to reduce opioid mortality. Additionally, the Coordinators will support ACORN’s quadrennial Virginia primary care evaluation, a statewide survey of all primary care practices used to assess strengths, challenges, gaps, and future directions in primary care delivery. Findings from this evaluation inform both research and policy advocacy efforts.

This position requires in-person engagement with patients and clinic staff at clinical sites across Virginia, including Northern Virginia, Central Virginia, and the Tappahannock region, with the possibility of expanding to other regions of the state as needed.  Applicants must have some evening and weekend availability based on clinic schedules and study needs. Some urgent care clinics operate with extended hours, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Primary Responsibilities

Clinical Trials and Patient Engagement:

• • Travel to primary care clinics, urgent care clinics, and community events across Virginia.
  • Build rapport with clinic staff to promote the studies and support established workflows.
  • Recruit, screen, and enroll patients in accordance with study protocols.
  • Engage patients before, during, and after clinic visits.
  • Communicate study information clearly to practice teams and patients.
  • Conduct patient engagement in-person and remotely (phone and Zoom).
  • Deliver study supplies to participants, including home delivery (with mileage reimbursement)
  • Respond promptly to participants and ensure timely follow-up.
  • Participate in community events to support broader study recruitment.
  • Review and record medical documentation and participant surveys in REDCap and Excel.
  • Participate in meetings, trainings, and study-related administrative activities.
  • Support research studies across the ACORN research team.

 Opioid Mortality Reduction Study:

• Create informational materials for localities
• Update the Opioid Abatement Authority Toolkit website .
• Review current OAA-funded projects to help guide future community programs.

Virginia Primary Care Evaluation:

• Print, assemble, and mail over 2,000 survey packets.
  • Contact practices to encourage survey participation.
  • Assist with updating the statewide primary care database of practices and clinicians.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.
• At least 1 year of formal research experience with direct interaction with study participants, including recruitment, informed consent review procedures, data collection, or patient engagement.
• Reliable transportation to travel to the clinics or to deliver study supplies to participants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with patients, clinical staff, community partners, and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, demanding, and diverse environment.
• Ability to multitask effectively, prioritize responsibilities, adapt to shifting demands, and work independently.
• Strong discretionary decision-making skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with human subjects in research settings
• Strong, fluent communication skills (speaking and listening) in both Spanish and English.
• Experience or interest in direct patient care or working in clinical settings.
• Interest and experience in primary care.
• Prior experience working with Institutional Review Boards.
• Experience or familiarity with electronic health records.
• Prior experience implementing, developing, and/or leading research programs.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience, $50,000-$66,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Other

University Job Title: 34111N - Clinical Research Coordinator 1

Contact Name: Ashley Krauss 
Contact Email: ashley.krauss@vcuhealth.org