Neuroimaging Clinical Research Assistant - Psych - 139523

UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments of psychiatry in the country with cutting edge research and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering challenging career opportunities with potentialfor growth and a dynamic learning environment to its talented and dedicated employees.

Under general supervision, the incumbent will assist the PI and research team with multiple substance abuse projects including the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA)-San Diego Research Site; NCANDA-Administrative Resource; and the Discreet Wearable Device for Continuous Real-time Monitoring of Alcohol studies. Primary responsibility is to assist with all data collection from young adults and adults; conducting in-person and telephone screening and semi-structured clinical interviews; administering neuropsychological assessments and self-report questionnaires; collecting/handling biospecimens (breath, saliva, and urine samples); neuroimaging data collection and assisting at scan sessions; and alcohol administration sessions. Duties also include coding, scoring, entering/uploading, verifying study data; scheduling study sessions with participants and facilities including reserving MRI scan time, exam room, and parking. General lab assistance tasks include preparing study forms and correspondence, updating study reports and meeting minutes; attending lab meetings; creating and updating data documentation, and preparation and certification of human subject compensation. Assist with other project and miscellaneous tasks as required.

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in Psychology or related field and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong basic computer skills such as word processing and data entry, as well as experience using Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams); REDCap; XNAT; LimeSurvey; Airtable; DocuSign; Google Workspace, and Linux.

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in assisting with neuroimaging data collection including setting up equipment, safety screening the participant, assisting operator in putting the subject in and out of scanner.

• Proven ability to maintain and protect confidentiality of participant information and understanding of mandated reporting.

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

• Proven ability to prioritize workload and work independently, when appropriate.

• Proven effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Experience in administering questionnaires to adolescents including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Distress Tolerance Scale, Hangover Symptom Scale, ASEBA Adult Self Report, Ten Item Personality Inventory, UPPS-P, Prosocial Tendencies Measure, Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire, Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and List of Threatening Events.

• Previous experience in a substance use research setting involving human subjects including young adults and adults.

• Experience in administering a battery of neuropsychological assessments according to the study protocol including WRAT 4 Arithmetic and Reading, WebCNP, Grooved Pegboard, Walk-a-Line Ataxia Test, and WAIS-IV Digit Coding.

• Familiarity administering structured diagnostic interviews such as the MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview and detailed questionnaires of substance use and mental health status, such as the Customary Drinking and Drug Use Record (CDDR), Family (substance use) History Interview, Suicide Ideation Measure, and Self-Rating the Effects of Alcohol (SRE).

• Experience in obtaining informed consent including verbal, online using DocuSign, and written forms from young adults.

• Ability to obtain biological specimens including saliva for DNA, urine samples for toxicology and/or pregnancy testing; blood pressure, breath for blood alcohol level, and measure height and weight.

• Must be able to obtain MRI Safety Training Certification. Completion of UCSD MRI Safety Lecture and completion of annual on-line safety quiz to maintain certification status.

• Experience conducting alcohol administration sessions with human subjects including confirming eligibility, alcohol dosing and administration, application and removal of study devices, adhering to study schedule of assessments, completing source documentation for study sponsor, and ensuring participant safety.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and overtime as needed.

• Must be able to work near a strong magnetic field.