Hourly Contracted Research Therapist (PRN)

About the role

Seattle Neuropsychiatric Treatment Center (SeattleNTC) is a private clinical trials site participating in Phase II and Phase III studies for devices, psychedelic, and non-psychedelic investigational treatments. Our research program is embedded within a larger organization specializing in difficult-to-treat depression and other treatment-resistant psychiatric/neuropsychiatric problems. We are seeking a Research Therapist to provide protocolized experimental psychological support to research participants on an individual basis in the context of approved research protocols.

Our research department operates out of both our Bellevue and Seattle locations, with clinic hours Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Some research visits may begin at 7:30 am or conclude at 6pm.

Responsibilities

• Function as clinical facilitator/session monitor (independently or as primary clinician in a two-person clinical team) to support study participants through clinical research protocols. When working in a two-person team, this may involve overseeing qualified and trained yet non-licensed support staff.
• Monitor, evaluate, and rate various activities of study participants throughout study visits while maintaining clinical equipoise.
• Provide education preparatory to participants about the possible experience of the investigational product, ensure physical and psychological safety during the session, and support the integration of the experience after the session in accordance with the clinical trial protocol.
• Assess clinical condition of study participants during sessions and communicate information to Principal Investigator or Sub-Investigator as needed to address emergent medical and psychological issues.
• Complete mandatory trainings and regulatory administrative tasks in a timely manner.
• Administer clinical assessments including structured clinical interviews (e.g., SCID-5 and MADRS), and other clinician-rated psychometric assessments (C-SSRS or S-STS, YMRS, CGI-I or CGI-S, Ham-A or Ham-D, and MINI).
• Demonstrate effective risk assessment and crisis management.
• Practice acceptable ethical and behavioral standards of conduct, and promote and ensure good clinical practices, ensuring adherence to clinical research protocols.
• Communicate regularly with research staff about current availability for scheduling research visits. Demonstrate willingness to hold time for visits in advance of confirmation that a participant is eligible to proceed with the visit.
• Serve as back-up for research protocols (other than primary assignment) as needed.
• Assist with community outreach and recruitment efforts.
• Participate in peer/group or individual consultation offered by SeattleNTC and clinical trial sponsors.

Qualifications

• Graduate-level professional degree and training with clinical psychotherapy experience in an outpatient healthcare setting and working on an interdisciplinary team.
• Current unrestricted Washington State professional license (to practice independently) and good professional standing with no history of suspension, professional misconduct, or disciplinary actions (Required). Eligible licenses: Psychologist (PhD, PsyD), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
• Experience in clinical research settings (Preferred).
• Experience administering clinical assessments (Preferred). Experience administering psychiatric clinical scales, especially in any research setting, is a bonus. Examples include MADRS, CGI-I or CGI-S, Ham-A or Ham-D, MINI or SCID, and C-SSRS or S-STS.
• Open and flexible availability and willingness to accommodate adjustments to the schedule with minimal prior notice on occasion.
• Ability to quickly and effectively build trust and rapport with participants and maintain empathic presence through possible periods of intense anxiety, confusion, and other emotions that may be expressed emotionally or physically.
• Self-awareness and ethical integrity.
• Proficiency in complimentary techniques (mindfulness, guided meditation, breathing practices).
• Excellent communication, operates with transparency and openness professionally with participants and research staff.

Pay

$110 per hour for both direct participant-facing hours and training hours (hourly contracted work).