Clinical Research Specialist

Job Title: Clinical Research Specialist

Location: 10 Oak Park Drive Bedford, MA / 170 Lexington Road Billerica, MA

Schedule: Monday – Friday, full time at 35 hours per week; year-round, onsite

Supervisor: Director of Applied Research

Position Summary:

The Clinical Research Specialist will support the development, implementation, and dissemination of ongoing research at NLG. This role will focus heavily on the integration of clinical practice and research in the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, but may include other areas of research as well. Responsibilities will include working with the Director of Applied Research to identify clinical needs that can be addressed through research, recruiting participants internally, conducting or supervising sessions, collecting data, and preparing data for publication. The Clinical Research Specialist will also work with participants’ clinical team to provide training, recommendations, or support following a participant’s discharge from a study, or to assist the team in implementing a particular evidence-based practice.

Responsibilities:

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Work with Director of Applied Research to determine research priorities, including providing support to high-need cases both within the research process and outside of it
• Design and conduct functional analyses in collaboration with participants’ clinical team, including conducting open-ended interviews, observations, and interview-informed synthesized contingency analyses
• Design and supervise the implementation of treatments to address severe problem behavior, in collaboration with participants’ clinical team
• Oversee participants’ progress through research projects, including but not limited to conducting or supervising research sessions, collecting, graphing, and interpreting data, and meeting with the participants’ clinical staff to share progress updates
• Organize and maintain data files for all students who participate in research
• Work with Director of Applied Research to plan future projects, including writing and submitting IRB applications
• Work with Director of Applied Research to prepare manuscripts for publication, including conducting literature reviews, preparing visual displays of data, and writing sections of the manuscript
• Represent NLG at professional conferences by presenting our research, conducting workshops, speaking on discussion panels, or similar conference activities
• Participate as a member of NLG’s weekly Behavior Council meetings to review complex cases
• Regularly reflect on practice, seek and respond to feedback, and demonstrate self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities to stay up to date with current topics in research and practice
• Complete other related duties as requested and meet regularly with supervisor

General Responsibilities

• Reporting to work promptly at:
  • 8:30am and remaining at work until 3:30pm (unless their responsibilities require them to come in earlier or stay later, which will occasionally occur). 15 minutes may be flexed before/after school hours as long as the employee works the required minimum 7 hours per day and their responsibilities for the day have been completed. 
• Following NLG’s emergency procedures (administering SOLVE strategies, First Aid or CPR), whenever needed.
• Adhering to NLG’s policies and procedures expected for full time staff.
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of all students within NLG and while out in the community.

• Attendance at the following:
  • Staff Meetings: All staff members are required to attend any mandatory staff meetings as scheduled which may be before, during, or after program hours..
  • Trainings: All staff members are required to participate in a minimum of 24 training hours each year. Staff will be assigned mandatory trainings to complete on Paycom. Additional trainings that fulfill this requirement can be found on Paycom, NLG University, and occasionally are provided by external trainers on the half days.
• Maintenance of the following certifications:
  • CPR & First Aid
    • The initial and renewal trainings are provided by NLG. The initial training occurs during the Orientation week. Renewal trainings are communicated by NLG’s Nursing Department as necessary.
  • SOLVE   (see Physical Job Capabilities)
    • The initial and renewal trainings are provided by NLG. The initial 16-20 hour training occurs within the first 3 months of employment. Staff members are expected to participate in an annual 1.5 hour refresher course to be scheduled via Paycom.
  • Any other certifications/licenses as required per the position qualifications

Please note:  The essential functions listed in this section are not limited only to the tasks listed and may include other duties as assigned.

Supervision and Performance Assessment:

• Nashoba Learning Group adheres to the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in its management of employees as well as in its teaching of children.  Performance requirements are clearly specified, performance is measured frequently, feedback is given immediately and mastery of particular skills allows access to higher-level skills.  Reinforcement is tied to performance in the form of pay, professional development opportunities, and recognition.
• This position will be evaluated/assessed annually by Supervisor on general performance, cooperation, and teamwork.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a BCBA in good standing and have completed the 8-hour BCBA supervisor training (or be willing to complete it upon hiring)
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a BCBA providing supervision or consultation for cases with complex clinical needs, including severe problem behavior
• Commitment to NLG’s values of serving individuals with autism and their families in a compassionate and person-centered manner that prioritizes dignity, rapport, and choice
• Experience designing and conducting practical functional assessments for a variety of learner profiles
• Experience designing and implementing skill-based treatment for problem behavior, including thorough knowledge of each treatment component and the ability to apply it flexibly to meet individual learner needs
• Experience conducting behavior analytic single-subject design research preferred, but not required. We will train you.
• Willing to engage in public speaking activities such as internal staff training presentations or external presentations at conferences, workshops, etc.
• Strong writing skills, organizational skills, and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, energy, work ethic, ability to work on a team, leadership skills, integrity, and the ability to accept and learn from feedback
  • At least two references that will attest to the staff’s interpersonal skills, energy, work ethic, ability to work on a team, leadership skills, integrity, and ability to accept and learn from feedback
  • Satisfactory results for new hire and recurring background and CORI check
  • A driver’s license in good standing

• Thorough knowledge of NLG’s policies and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of NLG’s daily operations and guidelines

Physical Job Capabilities:

Physical Job Requirements of this job include:

• Physically capable of keeping students/members safe and in close proximity at all times, particularly during outings
• Safely implement crisis prevention techniques and restraining members 50 pounds up to and in excess of 125 pounds when necessary

Physical Movements Required for Safe Implementation of Crisis Prevention Techniques:

• Quick and abrupt movements of upper and lower body (moving quickly, brisk and vigorous use of hands and arms)
• Rotating upper torso movements
• Arm and hand movements to grasp, range of motion movement with upper body and arms
• Balance
• Lifting and lowering (bending at knees repeatedly)
• Prolonged duration of exertion with both upper and lower body, being in one position for periods of time