Job Vacancy Announcement – Program Coordinator
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Division of Intramural Research Programs (IRP)
Office of the Clinical Director (OCD)
Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service (NBPS)
Program Overview
The position is in the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service (NBPS), Office of the Clinical Director, Division of Intramural Research Programs (IRP), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
The NIMH IRP conducts extensive research into the mechanisms of and treatments for a range of mental illnesses including psychotic, affective, and anxiety disorders in adults, childhood disorders, as well as genetic studies, and basic/translational laboratory research. With over 40 research groups conducting basic neuroscience research and clinical investigations of mental illnesses, brain function, and behavior. The IRP conducts clinical trials that are designed to expedite the exchange of information between scientists and clinicians so that basic findings can be moved quickly from the laboratory setting to the treatment of patients at the bedside. Clinical trials are of primary importance to the research mission of the NIMH. The clinical research portion of the program comprises tenured and tenure-track clinical investigators, staff clinicians, and fellows in more than a dozen clinical Branches and free-standing Sections.
The NBPS NIMH provides neurodevelopmental phenotyping in support of clinical research at NIMH and several other NIH Institutes. The function of NBPS is to conduct developmental and behavioral evaluations on individuals with a variety of neurodevelopmental problems, focusing on young children and individuals of all ages with significant cognitive or social impairments. The goal of the service is to provide developmental psychological consultations and behavioral phenotyping for natural history and treatment studies of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder and genetic disorders associated with intellectual disability, and contribute to outcome measure development for these conditions. Evaluations integrate NIH patient history with results from individually administered standardized psychological tests, and can be completed based on clinical referral or protocol driven research questions. This service conducts its own research protocols, focusing on natural history studies of neurodevelopmental conditions, and it also conducts clinical research evaluations of patients in a variety of other research protocol at the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center in the outpatient pediatrics clinic.
The incumbent serves as Program Coordinator within the NBPS and performs a broad range of program activities for the research programs of the NBPS in support of DIR and NIMH mission responsibilities.
Position Overview
As Program Coordinator, the incumbent provides broad support for the work of the NBPS and its collaborations with other intramural and extramural research teams. The major duties and responsibilities include:
Plans, organizes, and oversees efforts and projects that are aimed at achieving and improving the quality, effectiveness, and timeliness of program accomplishments of the service.
Serves as an advisor to management and leadership on developing and implementing strategic plans in support of achieving the program objectives. This includes developing detailed plans to improve efficient operations; implementing plans and initiatives to achieve mission and policy objectives; and assessing program accomplishment and making course corrections when necessary.
Assists with management and overseeing the NBPS research portfolio to include: NBPS protocols, protocols with NBPS coordinators and site coordination for research with external IRBs. Serves as research coordinator for ongoing studies investigating neurodevelopmental disorders, including work on collaborative protocols. Serves as protocol coordinator, assisting in developing new protocols, aiding in protocol submission to IRB, continuing reviews, and protocol amendments. Coordinators research protocols.
Serves as coordinator and primary screener conducting intake for patient protocols and patient related services. Participates in the consenting and diagnostic assessments of patients including but not limited to in person interviewing of various diagnostic, developmental, language acquisition and skills, services questionnaires, structured interviews and performing neuropsychological testing or cognitive abilities testing.
Serves as the logistical coordinator for NBPS office with office administration. NBPS safety representative.
Management of biological specimens from research projects: working with collaborators in different fields of expertise and organizations in distribution and analysis of specimens.
Assists with designing and implementing specific protocols and manages selected populations. May serve as an associate or principal investigator for specific protocols, or assist with IRB and regulatory documentation for protocols the service is involved in. Collaborates with nursing colleagues in the development and implementation of research studies that validate standards of practice and delineate nursing care requirements. Collaborates with other disciplines in obtaining and maintaining informed consent/assent. Interviews and screens patients for entry onto protocols.
Demonstrates skill in data management and computer skills. Reviews patient charts to collect relevant clinical data.
Qualifications
Thorough knowledge of all laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines pertaining to clinical research.
Thorough understanding of biological and safety programs, and skill in identifying problems and biohazards in a research laboratory and patient care setting.
Skill in planning and coordinating projects to improve the quality, effectiveness, and timeliness of NBPS programs and services.
Skill in providing advice and guidance to management officials on strategic methods to achieve program objectives of research programs.
Ability to provide assistance in designing, implementing, managing, and overseeing research portfolios. Skill in serving as a protocol coordinator or research coordinator for ongoing studies.
Ability to coordinate and conduct intake for patient protocols and patient related services. Ability to perform consent and diagnostic assessments of patients participating in research programs.
Skill in providing logistical support services to support research program operations.
Ability to manage the distribution and analysis of biological specimens from research projects.
Skill in data management and computer skills.
Ability to evaluate, interpret and apply analytical tools and techniques to programmatic issues and concepts and ability to develop/create/generate reports, or summaries for management officials.
Skills in written and oral presentation, and editorial skills. Ability to write clearly and effectively to communicate with research staff, managers and supervisors at various levels within and outside the NBPS and IRP.
Skill in working effectively with people representing a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, organizations, institutions, etc., in a scientific research setting.
Benefits
The Program Coordinator will be appointed at a salary commensurate with their qualifications and experience. In addition, full federal benefits, including leave, and thrift savings plan (401K equivalent), will be provided.
How to Apply
The position is open to only U.S. citizens. Interested candidates should apply through USAJobs from February 5-9, 2024. Below is the link to the announcement. The position is subject to a background check.
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/773489900
HHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers
The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs and encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, persons from underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.