Research Assistant

Position Summary:

In general, the Research Assistant will serve as a member of the Research and Evaluation team.  The Research Assistant is responsible for maintaining the databases, conducting basic statistical analyses, tracking participants, and conducting client intake and follow-up assessments.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as a member of the Research and Evaluation Team.
• Collect baseline and follow-up data on participants within the appropriate timeframes.
• Administer and Score assessment instruments.
• Develop basic statistical databases.
• Enter participant data in the Clinical Data System (CDS), SPSS databases, and SPARS system as required.
• Monitor quantitative and qualitative data collection processes.
• Coordinate the compilation and management of data.
• Maintain a tracking and follow-up log for all participants.
• Engage and build rapport with all participants to assist with tracking and follow-up.
• Conduct chart reviews for evaluation purposes.
• Administer Client Perception Surveys.
• Conduct participant and/or staff Focus Groups as needed.
• Maintain a Research and Evaluation file for each participant, when applicable.
• Conduct basic statistical analyses.
• Produce reports or assist in the development of reports as required by the Senior Scientist of Evaluation and Outcomes or the Director of Research and Evaluation.
• Assist Program Director and Senior Scientist of Outcomes and Evaluation with Performance Improvement activities.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, or other field related to the position is required.

Experience and Competencies:

• One (1) year equivalent experience in evaluation and/or research.
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis or variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret and extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or other indoor setting;
• Some outdoor activities and travel between multiple locations will be required;
• Regular and prompt attendance is required throughout employment.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.

Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. 
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.