Clinical Research Coordinator I - 100% 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 sought and celebrated.

About the Role

The Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology division is a multidisciplinary research team dedicated to improving the lives of those with neurodegenerative disorders and their families. This division focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and scientific study of neurodegeneration, with an emphasis on cognitive, movement, and behavioral disorders. The team integrates clinical neurology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, neuroimaging, and translational research to advance clinical care and treatment options.

The division is seeking a highly motivated Clinical Translational Research Coordinator I (CTRC 1) to join the team. The coordinator will be responsible for the approval processes and conduct of research protocols, ensuring the integrity and quality of clinical/translational research while adhering to all policies. The CTRC 1 will work closely with investigators, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and other team members to support pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical trials, foundation-funded observational studies, and NIH-funded research.

The division is committed to training the next generation of clinicians, scientists, and research professionals, offering extensive education and professional development opportunities for research coordinators, neurology residents and fellows, graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, and students exploring careers in neuroscience, medicine, neuropsychology, and nursing.

Responsibilities

• Accurately and compliantly perform procedures required for each study protocol, collaborating with study participants, staff, and departments to safely and accurately execute study procedures, such as assessing participant eligibility, recruitment, scheduling, administering neuropsychological assessments, conducting interviews, and tracking medication usage.
• Implement, coordinate, manage, and report clinical/translational research operations with a basic understanding of processes.
• Identify and troubleshoot problems as they arise.
• Record data from participant interactions onto case report forms (paper or electronic) with attention to accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Resolve queries in a timely manner.
• Ensure research information is collected and stored in compliance with regulations, policies, and good clinical practice.
• Participate in the ongoing informed consent process, ensuring participants, families, and healthcare providers understand expectations.
• Maintain open communication with participants, providing contact information and addressing or referring their inquiries.
• Demonstrate knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulations governing human subjects research, including FDA, OHRP, GCP/ICH, and HIPAA.
• Prepare and process IRB research proposals, amendments, continuing review applications, and adverse event reports in compliance with institutional, departmental, and federal regulations.
• Accurately prepare and maintain documents required for regulatory authorities and sponsors before, during, and after clinical trials.
• Participate in periodic site visits from sponsors and regulatory authorities to review research, source documentation, and procedures.
• Determine eligible candidates for study participation, ensuring they meet eligibility requirements.
• Implement effective screening and recruitment strategies to ensure studies are completed in a timely manner.
• Monitor, detect, and report adverse events in compliance with study protocols, IRB, FDA, and other regulatory bodies.
• Coordinate activities and gather information from various sources to achieve stated outcomes.
• Serve as an advocate for human subjects by maintaining communication with investigators, research staff, sponsors, participants, and regulatory bodies.
• Perform or instruct others in performing research procedures as described in the protocol, reporting deviations only when a subject’s safety is at risk.
• Actively participate in training, education, and development activities to enhance professional growth and performance.
• Pursue continuous learning through literature searches, research seminars, in-services, and other educational opportunities.
• Attend and actively participate in weekly meetings, providing summaries of ongoing studies.
• Engage in research-related programs, such as the Clinical/Translational Research Staff Council, by submitting issues, suggesting solutions, and sharing information.

Qualifications

• Skills in organization, problem-solving, effective communication, and motivation are highly desired.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and comfort working with individuals with cognitive and movement symptoms, are required.
• Interest in neurology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, or medicine, with a desire for hands-on clinical research experience in a collaborative academic environment.

Schedule

This is a fully in-person position with potential occasional evening or weekend hours.

Mission and Values

Mission Statement: To improve the lives of patients with cognitive and behavioral disorders, their families, and society through innovative clinical care, research, education, and community engagement.

Values Statement: To achieve this mission, the division fosters a culture that values personal autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. Team members are empowered to develop expertise, compassion for patients, respect for others, and passion for their work.