Clinical Research Coordinators- ACORN | Family Medicine | SOM | 622750 & 622760

The Clinical Research Coordinators will participate in all aspects of the research process, contributing to recruitment, data collection, processing, and dissemination activities in collaboration with senior investigators and project staff. This role is an essential part of the team, supporting Virginia’s Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN), the state’s primary care practice-based research network.

The Clinical Research Coordinators will support ongoing patient recruitment and enrollment for two active clinical trials. The primary study supported by this position is the NOSES trial, which aims to identify the most effective treatment options for patients with sinus infections. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolls adults with sinus-related symptoms, including acute sinus infections, the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19, and includes four treatment arms for patients who do not improve with standard care.  Responsibilities include delivering study supplies to participants and closely monitoring their symptoms and progress to support accurate and timely data collection. The position will also support the Vanguard Study, part of the Virginia Cancer Screening Research Network, which evaluates the efficacy of multi-cancer detection blood tests. Coordinators will assist with patient recruitment, scheduling, enrollment, community events, and data collection. Both trials are open to English and Spanish-speaking patients and community members.

Beyond clinical trial responsibilities, the coordinators will contribute to an ACORN community-engaged research study focused on reducing opioid-related mortality in Virginia. This includes supporting the development of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority Toolkit, an evidence-based online resource that helps cities and counties implement effective programs to reduce opioid mortality. Additionally, the Coordinators will support ACORN’s quadrennial Virginia primary care evaluation, a statewide survey of all primary care practices used to assess strengths, challenges, gaps, and future directions in primary care delivery. Findings from this evaluation inform both research and policy advocacy efforts.

This position requires in-person engagement with patients and clinic staff at clinical sites across Virginia, including Northern Virginia, Central Virginia, and the Tappahannock region, with the possibility of expanding to other regions of the state as needed.  Applicants must have some evening and weekend availability based on clinic schedules and study needs. Some urgent care clinics operate with extended hours, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.
• At least 1 year of formal research experience with direct interaction with study participants, including recruitment, informed consent review procedures, data collection, or patient engagement.
• Reliable transportation to travel to the clinics or to deliver study supplies to participants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with patients, clinical staff, community partners, and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, demanding, and diverse environment.
• Ability to multitask effectively, prioritize responsibilities, adapt to shifting demands, and work independently.
• Strong discretionary decision-making skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with human subjects in research settings
• Strong, fluent communication skills (speaking and listening) in both Spanish and English.
• Experience or interest in direct patient care or working in clinical settings.
• Interest and experience in primary care.
• Prior experience working with Institutional Review Boards.
• Experience or familiarity with electronic health records.
• Prior experience implementing, developing, and/or leading research programs.