PCORI Research Assistant- hybrid

Bay Cove Human Services’ mission is to partner with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential. Bay Cove pursues this mission by providing individualized and compassionate services to people facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness at more than 175 program sites throughout Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Bay Cove Human Services is committed to ensuring the representation and participation of candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We encourage all qualified individuals, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, to apply.

Job Summary:

The Research Assistant will participate in a workforce resiliency research and implementation project led by prominent researchers at Massachusetts General Brigham/Harvard Mongan Institute, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This study joins together federal funding, researchers, and two leading human service providers to improve resiliency and reduce burnout among staff working in group homes for adults with serious mental illness and developmental and intellectual disabilities. The study will implement both a Resiliency Training and Quality Improvement Management Training designed by researchers at MGB. The Research Assistant will facilitate data collection and WILC implementation, and support the training and learning collaborative programs across all randomized group homes.

Essential Functions of Position:

• Assists in the preparation, collection and tracking of study surveys and secondary data. Obtains consent from study participants as needed. Establishes and maintains tracking system for survey completion and assessment dates. 
• Supports interventions to participants as required by specific research project protocols. 
• Provides ongoing, direct support for two Bay Cove QI coaches, serves as liaison and driving factor for WILC implementation
• Cofacilitator for WILC interventions, conducts ongoing communication with staff and external partners 
• Conducts ongoing monitoring to ensure that fidelity to interventions are maintained during program delivery, as required. 
• Assists with scheduling of intervention sessions 
• Coordinates and supports project stakeholder working groups, as needed. 
• Evaluates the validity of data; obtains verification through further interview or research for any responses considered to be questionable. Notifies PCORI Project Manager of questionable data that cannot be verified and elaborates, as requested. 
• Ensures that subject and data confidentiality and integrity are maintained at all times. 
• Prepares materials for the study, including survey and participant documents. 
• Secures certification for Protecting Human Research Subjects as required by the appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB).
• Attends weekly research team meetings. 
• Effectively and ethically communicates study protocol and research goals to site personnel. 
• Performs other duties, as required.

Requirements for the position:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• Minimum two years’ experience in human services, quality improvement or research preferred.
• Advanced excel skills
• Ability to collaborate as a member of cross-functional teams
• Ability to effectively recruit, engage and support stakeholders in workgroups
• Ability to be flexible, open, and responsive to potential study shifts
• Ability to articulate and communicate the aims of the study, study protocols and intended results verbally and in writing
• Organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to effectively represent the organization in a variety of circumstances and forums
• Ability to identify opportunities and obstacles and develop effective, creative solutions
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues
• Ability to balance competing priorities and make independent judgments and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment