Summary

The Research Coordinator III (RCIII) is responsible for independently managing and coordinating study operations for the Social Needs Assistance for Hospitalized Kids (SNAK) Trial, a large‑scale, multi‑site, PCORI‑funded randomized controlled trial evaluating strategies to connect families of hospitalized children to community‑based social resources.

This role oversees high‑volume participant enrollment (targeting approximately 400 participants annually), implementation of randomized study interventions, longitudinal follow‑up, and qualitative data collection. The RCIII serves as the primary site‑level operational lead, acting as a central liaison between Principal Investigators, inpatient clinical teams, community organizations, and the UCSF coordinating center. The position requires advanced knowledge of human subjects research, GCP‑aligned consenting practices, and the ability to operate with minimal supervision while ensuring protocol fidelity, data integrity, and timely study execution.

This Research Coordinator III position leads day‑to‑day operations for a PCORI‑funded, multi‑site randomized controlled trial in a pediatric inpatient setting. The role is responsible for high‑volume participant enrollment, coordination of longitudinal follow‑up, implementation of complex study interventions, and serving as the primary site‑level point of contact for investigators, community partners, and the coordinating center.

This role may occasionally require evening or weekend availability to support participants’ varying work hours. The position is based at Texas Children’s Hospital – West Campus (18200 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094), and includes free parking.

Job Duties

Study Operations & Leadership (15%)

• Independently manages day‑to‑day operations for the SNAK Trial at the site level.
• Oversees implementation of study workflows across inpatient units, discharge planning teams, and research staff.
• Participates in study start‑up activities, protocol implementation, and amendment planning.
• Serves as a subject‑matter resource for study procedures, protocol interpretation, and regulatory compliance.
• Provides training, mentorship, and functional guidance to junior research coordinators or support staff as assigned.

Screening, Recruitment and Enrollment (25%)

• Leads participant recruitment efforts within inpatient pediatric settings to meet aggressive annual enrollment targets.
• Screens caregivers and patients for eligibility using complex protocol‑defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Conducts and oversees informed consent using IRB‑approved materials and GCP‑aligned practices.
• Independently performs and documents participant randomization.
• Monitors enrollment trends, attrition, and follow‑up completion, and escalates risks to leadership as needed.

Study Implementation & Participant Navigation (25%)

• Oversees and directly implements study interventions based on randomization arm:
  • Passive Referral Arm - Directs use of findhelp.com to generate tailored community resource lists.  
  • Ensures standardized education is provided regarding independent resource navigation.
  • Active Assistance (Navigator) Arm- Functions as a navigator for families needing hands‑on support.
  • Assists with resource selection, application completion, appointment scheduling, and barrier resolution.  
  • Conducts structured follow‑ups every two weeks for up to three months post‑discharge.
  • Ensures consistency, fidelity, and documentation of intervention delivery across participants.

Data Management, Analysis & Reporting (15%)

• Oversees collection and entry of quantitative and qualitative study data into electronic data capture systems.
• Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of case report forms and source documentation.
• Reviews data for quality assurance, protocol adherence, and audit readiness.
• Generates enrollment, follow‑up, and operational reports for investigators, CRA leadership, and the coordinating center.
• Coordinates responses to data queries and monitoring findings.

Qualitative Interviews & Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Leads coordination and execution of semi‑structured interviews with:
  • Approximately 60 caregiver participants
  • Approximately 60 community organization staff members
  • Oversees interview scheduling, consent, documentation, and secure data handling.
  • Serves as a primary point of contact for community‑based organizations participating in the study.

Documentation & Communication (10%)

• Serves as the primary site‑level liaison between Principal Investigators, inpatient clinical teams, community partners, and the UCSF‑led coordinating center, ensuring clear and timely communication across all stakeholders.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for sponsor, monitoring, and audit requests; coordinates responses, resolves findings, and escalates issues to CRA leadership as appropriate.
• Ensures site‑level adherence to FDA Good Clinical Practice (GCP), institutional SOPs, and PCORI research standards; proactively identifies and addresses compliance risks.
• 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.
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field. 
• Minimum of two years of relevant clinical or population‑based research experience.
• Experience coordinating complex clinical or population‑based research studies.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.
• Experience working with vulnerable pediatric populations.
• Knowledge of IRB requirements, GCP, REDCap, EMR abstraction, and community resource navigation.
• Experience using trauma‑informed, family‑centered communication approaches with patients and caregivers.
• Familiarity with health‑related social needs, social determinants of health, referral networks, 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, including 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.
• Experience with clinical research protocols, including eligibility criteria, study procedures, and informed consent in compliance with GCP and IRB requirements.