Research Ethics Facilitator, Providence Research

Staff - Non Union

Job CategoryM&P - AAPS

Job TitleResearch Ethics Facilitator, Providence Research

DepartmentResearch Ethics Providence Health Care Research Institute Faculty of Medicine (Julie Hadden)

Posting End DateMay 21, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End DateMay 31, 2025

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Within the context of a patient, client and family centred model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Providence Research is the research engine of Providence Health Care, one of Canada's largest faith-based health care organizations. Our main research location is St. Paul's Hospital, a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU); however, our research spans more than 30 programs and disciplines across Providence Health Care's 17 sites in Greater Vancouver. Inspired by the need for health and wellness of patients and communities, our mission is to integrate teaching, knowledge creation and translation to discover and deliver disease prevention and dramatically improve care.

Reporting to the Manager, Ethical Reviews, this position supports the Research Ethics Board Administration (REBA) office, the Research Ethics Board (REB), and the Providence Research community. The position is responsible for educating and advising researchers on the required research approval processes at Providence Health Care. This position works closely with researchers to provide comprehensive and timely assistance in navigating the research approvals processes. This includes planning customized education sessions based on the needs of the community and responding promptly to all general enquiries. This position contributes to the optimal function of the REBA office by working independently with researchers to ensure applications are complete, consistent and compliant with REB required administrative standards prior to the study being reviewed by the REB. The successful applicant will have exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills and is expected to function with a degree of autonomy and independence in collaboration with the REBA, REB Chairs and members, Providence Research Staff and the PR Director of Operations.

Organizational Status

The incumbent reports to the Manager, Ethical Reviews.

The candidate will be based at 1190 Hornby, a teaching hospital of the University of British Columbia in downtown Vancouver, Canada.

Work Performed

Provides guidance and support to new researchers on how to navigate the research approval processes at Providence Health Care including providing education on how to complete the on-line RISe application

Advises researchers on Canadian federal and provincial regulatory requirements and the TCPS2 requirements for conducting human research as well as specific UBC-PHC REB policies, standards and requirements.

Develops and delivers effective education programs to keep the research community informed of REB procedure requirements and/or changes to practice

Responsible for the coordination of Ethics activities received by the REBA office, including reporting on the current status of applications and anticipated timelines for review and approval.

Performs initial review of new applications, including analyzing required documentation for new studies, specifically application forms and consent forms, for compliance with standard UBC REB, affiliated hospital and regulatory requirements

Identifies & synthesizes deficiencies and prepares a written report for distribution to the REB Associate Chair or REB Chair (in the case on delegated review) and to the REB members prior to full board meetings in conjunction with the meeting agenda.

Works with researchers to ensure all provisos identified in pre-screening of the REB application are addressed prior to review by the full board

Provides support and guidance to researchers on how to respond effectively to provisos following the REB review

Assists the Manager in the development and updating of REB protocols, procedures and related documents

Develops and creates content for web-based resources and makes them easily available to researchers

Prepares all required statistics for the Ethics team.

Develops and prepares standard operating procedures in collaboration with the Manager, Ethical Reviews

Represents REBA on provincial committees and working groups as appropriate and required

Drafts required correspondence, prepares and delivers REBA presentations as needed.

Performs other related duties as required including coverage support for the REBA team

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position has a significant influence on the quality and effectiveness of the services provided by the REBA office and the REB. Non-compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines could result in the return of agency funds or loss of institutional capacity to receive funding. Errors in judgment could have a significant impact on the incumbent's ability to carry out the functions of the position effectively and could have adverse consequences on continued positive relationships with faculty and staff. Delays in preparing the pre-review documentation will make it difficult to guarantee that all studies are reviewed in a consistent manner. A perceived lack of consistency could cause investigators to question the validity of REB decisions. Delays in processing the decisions of the REB can significantly affect an investigator's ability to secure competitive funding from sponsors launch the study in a timely manner or can cause a delay in the release of granting agency funds. Lack of a rigorous review and inaccurate approval documentation could also result in investigators questioning the validity and reliability of the REB's review processes.

Supervision Received

Works with considerable latitude under the direction of Ethics Manage and team.

Supervision Given

May provide direction to more junior employees, e.g., co-op students.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience:

Experienced Research Assistants and/or Research Coordinators highly desired

Skills and Abilities:

Experienced and confident in the development and delivery of training and presentations to a variety of collaborators

Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities

Ability to be patient and poised when dealing with a high volume of queries from a variety of stakeholders

Ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality and sensitivity with regards to researcher needs

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to deal with others effectively, at all levels of the organization.

Ability to organize work of self and others, identifying and managing multiple and complex competing priorities.

Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability to use office equipment and computer programs essential to the job, including presentation software, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Experience using the UBC RISe on-line system is preferred

JR17255