Bilingual Research Asst II - ON SITE

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. It is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive, and uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

Our team conducts community and clinic-based healthy lifestyle interventions for childhood obesity prevention and treatment. As a Bilingual Research Assistant II, you will support engagement with community members and research participants, focusing on recruitment, retention, high-quality data collection, and meaningful community partnership. This role involves working directly with families from diverse backgrounds, including many Spanish-speaking and underserved communities.

Under moderate supervision, you will support the day-to-day conduct and continuous improvement of research studies focused on healthy lifestyle behaviors in children and families. You will implement IRB-approved protocols, coordinate activities across clinics, community organizations, and academic partners, and ensure high-quality, participant-centered interactions throughout the research process.

Some evening and weekend work is required to meet families where they are. Reliable transportation is essential for community-based activities. Training and mentorship are provided, with clear expectations for professionalism, teamwork, and dependable follow-through across multiple concurrent studies.

Responsibilities

• Data Collection and Participant Engagement
  • Independently conduct high-quality qualitative and quantitative data collection activities across active studies.
  • Lead participant recruitment, consent, and follow-up activities with minimal supervision.
  • Build rapport with participants to support retention, engagement, and completion of study visits.
  • Ensure accurate and complete documentation of study activities in accordance with protocol requirements.
  • Identify and resolve routine participant and workflow challenges in real time.
• Data Collection Team Leadership and Coordination
  • Serve as a lead member of the data collection team, supporting day-to-day coordination of study activities.
  • Assist with scheduling data collection activities and adjusting plans to meet enrollment and staffing needs.
  • Provide guidance to other research assistants during data collection, troubleshoot issues, and maintain consistency.
  • Act as a point of support for problem-solving related to participant availability, protocol coordination, and fieldwork challenges.
  • Elevate issues appropriately while independently implementing practical solutions when possible.
• Operational Ownership and Independent Study Support
  • Demonstrate strong ownership of assigned study tasks, requiring less direct supervision than an entry-level research assistant.
  • Anticipate study needs and proactively communicate potential challenges or solutions to the project team.
  • Ensure readiness for data collection by confirming materials, schedules, and participant communication in advance.
  • Support smooth implementation of study protocols through reliability and consistent follow-through.
  • Contribute to maintaining momentum during high-volume or time-sensitive data collection periods.
• Quality Assurance and Protocol Adherence
  • Maintain a high standard of data quality through careful review of collected data and documentation.
  • Identify missing or inconsistent data and take corrective action or escalate concerns appropriately.
  • Ensure adherence to IRB-approved protocols, consent procedures, and study guidelines.
  • Model best practices in ethical research conduct and participant interaction for other team members.
• Team Communication and Study Support
  • Communicate clearly and effectively with supervisors and team members regarding study progress and challenges.
  • Share insights from fieldwork to support continuous improvement in recruitment and data collection strategies.
  • Assist with onboarding or informal mentoring of newer research assistants as needed.
  • Contribute to a collaborative team environment that supports efficient and high-quality research execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience).
• 2 years of pediatric experience; you will be working with children ages 5-17 and their families.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Spanish, with significant direct family interaction.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks with minimal day-to-day supervision, and follow protocols precisely in community settings.
• Proactive communication when barriers arise.
• Reliable transportation for community-based activities.

Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.