Summary

The Research Coordinator II (RCII) will coordinate and implement day‑to‑day research activities for the Social Needs Assistance for Hospitalized Kids (SNAK) Trial, a multi‑site, PCORI‑funded randomized controlled study led by UCSF. The SNAK Trial evaluates the effectiveness of passive referrals versus active navigator‑based assistance in connecting families of hospitalized children with community‑based social services.

The RCII will be responsible for participant screening, enrollment, informed consent, study arm implementation, longitudinal follow‑up, data collection, and coordination of qualitative interviews with caregivers and community organization representatives. This position requires close collaboration with investigators, inpatient clinical teams, community resource partners, and study sponsors, and plays a critical role in achieving enrollment goals of approximately 400 participants annually while ensuring protocol adherence and data integrity.

This Research Coordinator II position supports a high‑volume, PCORI‑funded randomized controlled trial in a pediatric inpatient setting. The role focuses on hands‑on implementation of established study procedures, including participant screening, consent, intervention delivery, follow‑up, and data collection, under the guidance of the PI, CRA and research coordination leadership.

This role requires a highly flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate participants’ varying work hours. The position is based at Texas Children’s Hospital – West Campus (18200 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094), with free parking provided.

Job Duties

Screening, Recruitment & Enrollment (30%)

• Screen hospitalized pediatric patients and caregivers for study eligibility based on protocol‑defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Approach families in inpatient settings to explain study objectives, procedures, risks, and benefits in a clear, culturally sensitive manner.
• Conduct the informed consent process in compliance with IRB, institutional, and PCORI requirements.
• Track recruitment metrics to support site‑level enrollment targets and attrition mitigation strategies.

Study Implementation & Participant Navigation (30%)

• Implement study interventions based on participant assignment:
  • Passive Referral Arm - Generate customized resource lists using findhelp.com based on caregiver‑reported social needs.  
  • Educate families on how to independently access and navigate these resources.
  • Active Assistance (Navigator) Arm - Serve as a study navigator supporting families in selecting community resources, completing applications, scheduling appointments, and addressing barriers to access.
  • Conduct structured follow‑ups every two weeks for up to three months post‑discharge to assess progress and provide continued assistance.  
  • Documenting all participant interactions, referrals, follow‑ups, and outcomes according to protocol standards.

Data Collection & Reporting (20%)

• Collect quantitative and qualitative study data via participant interviews, surveys, and electronic medical record abstraction.
• Enter and maintain data in secure electronic data capture systems and case report forms with a high degree of accuracy.
• Monitor study data for completeness, timeliness, and protocol compliance.
• Identify, document, and escalate protocol deviations or data discrepancies as required.
• Assist with preparation of reports for internal leadership, site investigators, and study sponsors.

Qualitative Interviews & Stakeholder Engagement (15%)

• Coordinate and conduct semi‑structured interviews with:
  • Approximately 60 caregiver participants.
  • Approximately 60 community organization staff members.
  • Assist with scheduling, consent, data collection, transcription coordination, and secure storage of interview materials.
  • Support qualitative data organization and ensure adherence to confidentiality and human subjects protections.

Documentation & Communication (10%)

• Serve as a liaison between Principal Investigators, inpatient clinical teams, community partners, and the UCSF‑led coordinating center.
• Respond to sponsor, audit, and monitoring requests in collaboration with the PI and CRA leadership.
• Adhere to FDA Good Clinical Practice (GCP), institutional SOPs, and PCORI research standards.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• One year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Minimum of one year of relevant clinical or population-based research experience.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.
• Experience with vulnerable pediatric populations.
• Knowledge of IRB requirements, GCP, REDCap, EMR abstraction, and community resource navigation.
• Strong organizational, communication, and cultural competency skills.
• Experience using trauma-informed, family-centered communication approaches with patients and caregivers.
• Familiarity with health-related social needs and referral networks social determinants of health, community‑based resources, benefits enrollment , or care navigation models.
• Experience conducting interviews and/or longitudinal follow‑up with participants.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage high enrollment volumes and competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and cultural competency skills with experience working with underserved populations.
• Ability to work effectively in inpatient hospital environments and interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience abstracting data from electronic medical records and entering data accurately into research databases preferred.