Clinical Research Assistant - Alzheimer's disease study

The Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR) is seeking a Research Assistant to support human clinical research studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Jerome Yesavage. The aims of these studies include: (1) to test whether an investigational drug can slow possible AD- related damage in the brain and delay progression of AD-related memory loss, and (2) to ultimately arrive at optimal biomarkers for more targeted intervention of AD, and determine methods that will provide maximum power to evaluate efficacy in AD treatment and prevention trials.

These ongoing clinical studies are part of an international network of sites involving older adult participants who have volunteered to undergo repeated MRI, PET, blood and CSF biomarkers, and neuropsychological measures. Participants have normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's dementia.  

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), non-exempt (hourly-paid) position. Location: Palo Alto, CA.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vacation
• Sick Pay
• 13 paid Holidays
• Life Insurance - paid by PAVIR
• Long-term and Short-Term Disability Insurance - paid by PAVIR
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match and Profit Share
• Wellness Program
• Commuter Benefits

PAVIR is affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). As a condition of employment, all PAVIR employees are required to have an approved appointment with VAPAHCS and complete a background check.

Duties:

Assist in Study Coordination:

• Schedule study procedures, which may include MRI brain scan, PET scans, physician assessment, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood draw, occasional lumbar puncture, and infusion of study medication as needed;
• Coordinate schedules with members of research team;
• Handle study correspondence;
• Maintain participants study binders, progress notes, and study logs.

Test research participants: Administer neuropsychological tests, questionnaires, and collect medical information according to the study protocols.

Enter data in databases and upload data:

• Accurately score neuropsychological (NP) tests. Enter NP and other study data into EDC;
• Upload brain imaging files and source documents to the data coordinating site.

Assist with brain scans:

• Accompany study volunteers to PET and MRI centers;
• Coordinate and assist in pre-scan safety screening for participant's safety and comfort and for research integrity;
• Occasional travel to Stanford for MRI scans.

Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse) via an electronic vital sign monitor and compute Body Mass Index.

Facilitate collection of blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers:

• Accompany study volunteers to clinical research unit for yearly blood draws and for biennial lumbar punctures performed by the study physician;
• Handle human specimens including tubes of blood, CSF, and screening urine sample;
• Package and ship samples for processing per the research protocol.

Manage and maintain scientific and regulatory files: 

• Maintain IRB approval;
• Keep the Study Regulatory Binder up-to-date;
• Perform online literature searches (Endnote and PDFs);
• Assist in preparing grant proposals and articles for publication, including tables and graphs.

Provide occasional backup to other research staff:

• Provide backup to other research staff;
• Provide general clerical assistance when needed, e.g. answer phones, greet subjects, photocopy study forms;
• Other research-related duties as needed.