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Junior/Assistant Specialist –Fracture Prevention Study

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Position description

Junior/Assistant Specialist –Fracture Prevention Study

If you are passionate about using technology and medicine to improve the lives of others, and seeking a position and career that interacts with Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, neurology researchers, and health care professionals; and requires excellent people, computer, and organization skills, this opportunity may be of interest to you. We are seeking a full-time Junior or Assistant specialist to become an integral part of our team! We offer a positive environment with dedicated colleagues in the Neurology Department at UCSF.

This candidate will be integral in executing the “Prevention of Fractures in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease” study, which aims to reduce the risk of nonvertebral/hip fractures and mortality in older people with PD. If successful, the findings would revolutionize the care of patients with PD, leading to universal home-based treatment of PD patients (as well as other chronic disorders), with substantial reduction in disability and perhaps mortality in this large population.

The Junior or Assistant specialist will be responsible for the coordination of the Telemedicine Core within the “Prevention of Fractures in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease” study.
Our randomized trial aims to show that treatment is effective, treatment does not require neurologists to manage or refer study participants, study participants can be treated at home without clinic visits, and that the benefits of our proposed treatment would last for at least 2 years.

We will use a home-based approach that could be a model for other clinical trials and clinical care. Eligible study participants will be recruited from across the US. Movement disorder specialists in approximately 40 sites distributed across the US will conduct diagnostic assessments using telemedicine, evaluating participants using their home computers.

This research project is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, and other collaborators include The Parkinson’s Foundation, the Parkinson’s Study Group, and the National Osteoporosis Foundation. The study is a home-based, randomized trial that focuses on people with PD and the goal is to prove that a single treatment of osteoporosis medication will reduce the risk of 1) nonvertebral factures, 2) hip fracture, and 3) mortality. You will help manage the Telemedicine Core and assist the Senior specialist in running the study under the direction of the Principal Investigators (PIs).

We are seeking a candidate who is motivated, friendly, organized, and punctual. You enjoy greeting and assisting people through web interfacing, in person, on the phone, and via email. You value professionalism, excellent service, integrity, compassion, teamwork, and have a positive attitude. You have excellent people and computer skills, are accurate and detail oriented, and have excellent communication and writing skills.

Why target bone mineral density if your study population has PD?
Fractures in patients with PD are a huge cause of disability and death. About 1 million people have PD; 80% are age 65 years or older. We are firmly committed to preventing disability and death in people with Parkinson’s disease. If you enjoy working with people and assisting in the conduct of telemedicine and clinical research. . . if you believe in giving back to the Parkinson’s disease community. . . if preventing injury and helping others makes you happy. . . come join us in making a difference together!

Anticipated Duties:

  • Conduct preliminary sessions with study investigators and staff at remote sites
  • Schedule upwards of 4,000 patients for practice sessions
  • Conduct preliminary sessions with study participants
  • Ensure that telemedicine assessment will be performed in an appropriate setting
  • Schedule baseline and follow-up telemedicine assessment availability with neurologist assessors at appropriate geographic sites
  • Be on standby during all scheduled telemedicine visits to troubleshoot and assist with technical difficulties
  • Assist data manager as needed in database development, tracking, reporting, and analysis
  • Participate in regular project staff meetings
  • Assist with preparation of standard operating procedures, operations manual, regulatory submissions, modifications, continuing reviews, progress reports
  • Provide overall administrative support to the Principal Investigator and other study investigators as needed. Varied administrative tasks will include assisting with booking travel and submitting and tracking reimbursements.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule may be needed
  • Other duties as required

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proven experience as a team player
  • Strong timekeeping and organizational skills
  • Be the face-to-face (web-to-face) and phone contact person for new and recurring patients
  • Outstanding communication, troubleshooting, and people skills
  • Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills
  • Working knowledge of database design, Redcap, Zoom, and internet/home based trials is a PLUS but not mandatory
  • Prior experience working with telemedicine is a PLUS but not mandatory

Required Qualifications:

  • Education and experience:
    • Specialists appointed at the Junior rank must possess a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience
    • Specialists appointed at the Assistant rank must possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of research experience
  • Self-motivated, positive attitude, strong-attention to detail
  • Must have excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, and administrative skills
  • Exceptional computer skills
  • Candidates must possess the required qualifcations by the time of hire

Appointees in the Specialist series will be expected to engage in specialized research, professional activities and do not have teaching responsibilities. Specialists are expected to use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions, and may participate in University and Public Service. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed throughout the recruitment period. Salary and rank will be commensurate with the applicants experience and training.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

Job Location: San Francisco, CA

Please apply on-line, submit a cover letter and CV to: https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/apply/JPF02224

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity (Optional)

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Job location

San Francisco, CA