Research Assistant

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

September 13, 2027

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is committed to leadership in clinical care, education, research, and health care delivery. Its research activities support the creation and exchange of knowledge intended to improve emergency care across British Columbia. Substance use and opioid related research is a strategic area within the Department. This research program focuses on identifying patients at risk from harmful opioid use, understanding patterns of emergency department use, and evaluating protocol approved approaches to treatment and follow up.

The Research Assistant/Technician 2 performs a variety of moderately complex technical research tasks in support of a clinical study conducted in the Emergency Departments at Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital. The study examines emergency department screening for harmful opioid use and two protocol approved approaches to take home buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) initiation: standard dosing and micro dosing. Following established study protocols, scripts, forms, and procedures, the incumbent identifies and screens potential participants, conducts approved consent and enrolment procedures, administers questionnaires, collects and records research data, completes routine follow up activities, and enters of study information.

Organizational Status

The position reports to the Principal Investigator or designated research supervisor and works under general supervision. The incumbent works with other research team members and communicates routinely with emergency physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, Peer Support Workers, and other health care staff to coordinate assigned study procedures. Communication with health care staff is limited to exchanging study related information, confirming the appropriate timing of research activities, and obtaining any clinical confirmation required by the study protocol. Clinical and treatment decisions remain the responsibility of authorized health care professionals.

Work Performed

• Reviews approved patient information or referrals to identify potential study participants according to established screening criteria.
• Completes standardized screening forms and eligibility checklists and accurately records the results.
• Refers unclear, conflicting, medically complex, or unusual eligibility questions to the research supervisor or authorized clinical staff before proceeding.
• Confirms with the appropriate emergency department staff that a patient may be approached and that study activities will not interfere with the patient’s immediate care.
• Approaches patients using approved study scripts and procedures and provides standardized information about the study.
• Conducts the approved informed consent process and documents consent in accordance with the study protocol and research ethics requirements.
• Uses established criteria to confirm that required consent steps have been completed. Stops the consent or enrolment process and seeks direction when there are concerns about a patient’s alertness, orientation, understanding, voluntariness, or ability to complete the study procedures.
• Enrolls eligible and consenting participants by completing standardized forms, assigning study identification numbers, and preparing required study documentation.
• Administers standardized questionnaires and surveys to participants and health care providers and records or codes responses according to established instructions.
• Collects basic demographic, clinical, medication, and patient reported information from approved sources and records the information on study forms or databases.
• Reviews medication information using established study checklists. Refers all questions concerning contraindications, medication suitability, treatment, or dosing to authorized clinical staff.
• Supports the distribution of protocol approved study materials or take home packages after any required clinical authorization has been obtained. Does not select, recommend, or alter medication or dosing.
• Completes routine follow up procedures using approved scripts and forms, including contacting participants and sending required documentation to primary care providers and pharmacies.
• Enters, codes, and verifies study data and performs routine checks for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.
• Corrects routine data entry errors according to established procedures and refers missing, inconsistent, or unusual information to the supervisor.
• Assembles, compiles, and summarizes routine study data or enrolment information using established templates, as assigned.
• Maintains study files, screening and enrolment logs, consent documentation, and supplies in accordance with established research, privacy, and record retention procedures.
• Follows established safety procedures when working with patients who may be distressed, agitated, or experiencing mental health or substance use related challenges. Pauses study activities and contacts appropriate clinical staff, the supervisor, or site security when required by established procedures.
• Organizes assigned work and establishes priorities to complete screening, enrolment, follow up, and data entry activities within required timelines.
• Identifies and resolves routine procedural or data entry problems using established instructions. Refers new, complex, or unusual problems to the supervisor.
• Demonstrates established study routines and procedures to new Research Assistants and assists with their orientation. Does not provide ongoing supervision or performance evaluation.
• Performs other related duties.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research Assistant/Technician 2 works within well defined study protocols, research ethics requirements, hospital procedures, privacy requirements, and safety guidelines. The incumbent exercises judgment in organizing assigned work, establishing priorities, and carrying routine tasks through to completion. New, complex, or unusual situations are referred to the supervisor or authorized clinical staff. Errors in screening, consent documentation, data collection, coding, or data entry could result in incorrect study records, participant inconvenience, delays, or the need to repeat or validate study activities. Failure to protect personal information could result in a breach of confidentiality and non compliance with privacy requirements. Failure to follow established procedures or promptly refer concerns relating to eligibility, consent, medication, or patient safety could affect participant welfare and the integrity of the research. Established supervisory, clinical, and data quality review processes are in place to identify and address errors or concerns.

Supervision Received

Works under general supervision in carrying out familiar phases of duties and responsibilities. Receives instruction and training during orientation and when assigned new duties or when study protocols and procedures change. The incumbent independently organizes and completes assigned routine tasks within established guidelines. The Principal Investigator, research supervisor, or authorized clinical staff provide direction on new, complex, clinical, or unusual situations.

Supervision Given

No formal supervision is provided. The incumbent may demonstrate established procedures and assist with orienting new Research Assistants to study routines, forms, and data entry requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: An undergraduate degree in Life Science or relevant discipline is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working with vulnerable populations an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Additional training in health sciences, social sciences, research methods, or a related field.
• Experience supporting clinical research or working with vulnerable populations is an asset.
• Ability to learn and consistently follow established research protocols, scripts, forms, and procedures.
• Ability to recognize situations that fall outside established procedures and seek appropriate direction.
• Ability to conduct standardized screening, consent, questionnaire, and follow up procedures.
• Ability to work with accuracy and maintain attention to detail when recording, coding, and entering research data.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, empathy, and sound judgment when working with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive personal and medical information.
• Ability to organize assigned work and establish priorities within established guidelines.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast paced emergency department environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with participants, research staff, health care professionals, and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to use standard computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and to learn study specific databases and software.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.