Clinical Research Assistant – Health Educator

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research • West Menlo Park, CA

Not Applicable Posted March 26, 2026 Job link

Responsibilities

On the clinical research team at Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, you'll serve as a primary contact for participants, sponsors, and regulatory agencies while coordinating all aspects of study operations, including screening, consent, recruitment, specimen collection, and data management. You will help manage databases and case report forms (e.g., in REDCap), ensure adherence to protocols and patient safety, support regulatory submissions and renewals (IRB, VA committees, clinicaltrials.gov), and participate in monitoring visits and audits. You will also help with budget monitoring and billing issues, assist with manuscripts, reports, and grant applications, assemble study kits and schedules, and perform other study-related tasks as needed.

Commitments

This is a 30–40 hours/week, 3‑month temporary role with the possibility of becoming permanent based on performance, and requires an approved appointment with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and a background check before starting work. PAVIR is a nonprofit foundation affiliated with VAPAHCS, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and encourages applications from Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Individuals with a Disability.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary contact with research participants, sponsors, and regulatory agencies.
Assist with screening individuals for enrollment in the studies, determine eligibility, and gather consent from study participants according to protocol.
Assist in developing recruitment strategies.
Coordinate collection of study specimens and processing.
Collect and manage patient data for clinical research projects.
Assist with managing research project databases, develop flow sheets and other study related documents, and complete study documents/case report forms.
Interact with the principal investigator regularly, ensuring patient safety and adherence to proper study conduct.
Help ensure compliance with research protocols, and review and audit case report forms on REDCap for completion and accuracy with source documents.
Help to prepare regulatory submissions and ensure Institutional Review Board renewals and VA Research Review Committee renewals and applications are completed.
Participate in monitor visits and regulatory audits.
Ensure appropriate registration of trial information on clinicaltrials.gov and maintain renewals and updating information and uploading data upon study completion.
Assemble study kits for study visits, monitor scheduling, coordinate documents, and attend monitoring meetings with sponsors and team members, acting as primary contact.
Help monitor expenditures and adherence to study budgets and resolve billing issues in collaboration with finance and/or management staff.
Help prepare manuscripts and reports, including preparing tables and formatting references and assisting with grant applications.
Assist with other study-related duties as needed.

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Requirements

At least 1 year of relevant research experience (can be undergraduate experience);
Previous experience working in the VA system and/or experience with intervention trials in oncology, subject recruitment and screening;
Understanding of statistics and familiarity with STATA or similar data analysis software;
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with study participants and the research staff;
Proficiency with Microsoft Office;
Organized, detail-oriented, self-directed, and dependable;
Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize workload;
Ability to work as part of a team;
Able to learn VA regulations and procedures regarding research;
General knowledge of research procedures gained through education or experience.

Preferred Skills

Previous experience working in the VA system and/or experience with intervention trials in oncology, subject recruitment and screening;
Knowledge of medical terminology preferred;
Able to learn VA regulations and procedures regarding research;

Education

(Required) – Required: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience;
(Not required) – At least 1 year of relevant research experience (can be undergraduate experience);
(Not required) – Preferred: Master's degree;

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR) supports the nation's second largest research program conducted among the VA Hospitals and is seeking a full-time Clinical Research Assistant - Health Educator. The Research Assistant - Health Educator will support several research studies aiming to improve Cancer Care for Veterans with Cancer.
For all studies, the Research Assistant will be in direct contact with site leaders, oncology providers, and patients during data collection and intervention implementation activities.
With assistance from the PI, Dr. Manali Patel, the Research Assistant will perform data collection, data entry, data management, simple data analysis, and creation of reports for funders as well as peer reviewed publications.
This position will be 30-40 hours/week and is a 3-month, temporary position with the possibility of converting to a permanent/regular position depending on performance.
Benefits
PAVIR offers generous benefits , including comprehensive health insurance, vision, dental, sick pay, a 401(k) with a fully vested 6% company match and 3% profit share , a wellness program, commuter benefits, and professional development training. Plus, we pay for life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
Main Responsibilities

Serve as a primary contact with research participants, sponsors, and regulatory agencies.
Assist with screening individuals for enrollment in the studies, determine eligibility, and gather consent from study participants according to protocol. Assist in developing recruitment strategies.
Coordinate collection of study specimens and processing.
Collect and manage patient data for clinical research projects.
Assist with managing research project databases, develop flow sheets and other study related documents, and complete study documents/case report forms.
Interact with the principal investigator regularly, ensuring patient safety and adherence to proper study conduct.
Help ensure compliance with research protocols, and review and audit case report forms on REDCap for completion and accuracy with source documents.
Help to prepare regulatory submissions and ensure Institutional Review Board renewals and VA Research Review Committee renewals and applications are completed.
Participate in monitor visits and regulatory audits.
Ensure appropriate registration of trial information on clinicaltrials.gov and maintain renewals and updating information and uploading data upon study completion.
Assemble study kits for study visits, monitor scheduling, coordinate documents, and attend monitoring meetings with sponsors and team members, acting as primary contact.
Help monitor expenditures and adherence to study budgets and resolve billing issues in collaboration with finance and/or management staff.
Help prepare manuscripts and reports, including preparing tables and formatting references and assisting with grant applications.
Assist with other study-related duties as needed.
Qualifications

Required: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience;
At least 1 year of relevant research experience (can be undergraduate experience);
Preferred: Master's degree;
Previous experience working in the VA system and/or experience with intervention trials in oncology, subject recruitment and screening;
Understanding of statistics and familiarity with STATA or similar data analysis software;
Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate effectively with study participants and the research staff;
Proficiency with Microsoft Office;
Knowledge of medical terminology preferred;
Organized, detail-oriented, self-directed, and dependable;
Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize workload;
Ability to work as part of a team;
Able to learn VA regulations and procedures regarding research;
General knowledge of research procedures gained through education or experience.
About Palo Alto Veterans Institute For Research (pavir)
PAVIR facilitates research and education activities conducted at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. At PAVIR we work with more than 160 uniquely talented medical scientists. We recruit and retain talented employees who believe in making a difference in the lives of others through innovative health research.
READY TO JOIN OUR RESEARCH TEAM?
If you feel that you would be right for this job, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application . We look forward to meeting you!
PAVIR is a nonprofit foundation affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). As a condition of employment, all PAVIR employees are required to have an approved appointment with VAPAHCS and complete a background check before they can commence work.
PAVIR is pleased to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Individuals with a Disability are encouraged to apply. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact jobs@pavir.org - Human Resources department.
Salary: $31.25 per hour
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