Research Assistant (Hourly) - Internal Med, Nephrology

Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Internal Medicine

Duties & Responsibilities:

VCU Nephrology is seeking an hourly Research Assistant to support HM300000978: Genotyped Proteinuric Glomerular Disease Cohort, a research study supporting the PARASOL initiative focused on proteinuria and other biomarkers as endpoints for clinical trials in kidney disease. The Research Assistant will support retrospective clinical data abstraction from the electronic health record, with primary responsibility for extracting and entering non-discrete data elements from Epic and related clinical documentation. This will include biopsy/pathology information, external laboratory results, kidney-related clinical measures, and other study-relevant variables needed for the research database.

This position requires attention to detail, accuracy in clinical data entry, protection of confidential patient information, completion of required research compliance training, and availability to work approximately 20 hours per week.

This is a restricted position with a set end date of 8/20/2026; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

The Research Assistant will:

• Complete required institutional training, including Epic access/training, CITI human subjects research certification, and other VCU/VCU Health research compliance requirements.
• Conduct retrospective chart review in Epic and other approved clinical data systems.
• Abstract study-related clinical data from structured and non-structured fields, including biopsy/pathology reports, external laboratory records, proteinuria measures, kidney function measures, relevant medications, and other clinical variables required for the study.
• Enter abstracted data accurately into the approved study database or data collection platform.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely study records.
• Review source documentation to support data quality and consistency.
• Communicate data questions, missing information, or documentation concerns to the study team.
• Follow study-specific standard operating procedures, data dictionaries, and abstraction guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of protected health information and comply with HIPAA, IRB, and institutional research policies.
• Participate in study team meetings or check-ins as needed.
• Assist with other research-related tasks as assigned by the principal investigator, study coordinator, or research leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to review clinical documentation and identify relevant data elements.
• Ability to follow written protocols, abstraction guides, and study procedures.
• Basic understanding of clinical research, human subjects protection, and confidentiality requirements.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently after training while escalating questions appropriately.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, REDCap or similar databases, and electronic record/data entry systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in nephrology, glomerular disease, kidney disease research, clinical data abstraction, or health services research.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to work up to 20 hours per week.
• Ability to complete required Epic training and obtain appropriate Epic access.
• Ability to complete CITI human subjects research training and all required VCU/VCU Health research compliance training.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately enter data into a study database.
• Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to follow study protocols, instructions, and data abstraction procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student in a health sciences, public health, nursing, biology, pre-medical, data science, or related field.
• Prior experience with clinical research, chart review, data abstraction, REDCap, Epic, or electronic health record systems.
• Familiarity with kidney disease, nephrology, pathology reports, laboratory values, or clinical terminology.
• Prior completion of CITI training.
• Experience working in an academic medical center, research setting, or healthcare environment.
• Experience with data quality review, database entry, or clinical documentation review.

Salary Range: $20/hr

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 20

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 3404B - Labs/Research Assistant Base

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Cheyenne Taylor

Contact Email: Cheyenne.Taylor@vcuhealth.org