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Duration of Untreated Psychosis Specialist DUP 2018

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Position description

The EDAPT Clinic and Translational Cognitive and Affective (TCAN) Laboratory have complementary goals to clinically intervene as early as possible and study the neural mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in psychotic illness. The TCAN lab is recruiting for two positions to serve as junior specialists at the UC Davis Medical Center for the Reducing Duration of Untreated Psychosis study. This study tests the effectiveness of using electronic screening and telemedicine approaches to rapidly identify and treat individuals who present with psychosis to a variety of community sites (e.g., schools, emergency rooms, behavioral health clinics).

DEGREE REQUIREMENT Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, psychobiology, neuroscience or a related field .

RESEARCH The incumbent will be trained to use knowledge of mental health conditions to conduct phone evaluations to determine study eligibility of potential participants. The incumbent will also consent study participants and schedule all of their research appointments. The incumbent will conduct clinical interviews for research purposes under the supervision of a faculty member and will conduct behavioral testing sessions. The incumbent will manage the study IRB protocols, adhering strictly to privacy and confidentiality laws. The incumbent will also manage data collection and organization, including mentoring undergraduate volunteers in the input of data to multiple databases.

The current study will be entering a new piloting phase starting Summer 2018, which will allow the incumbent to meaningfully contribute to Phase 2 study design and revisions. Depending on their contribution and role in the lab, the incumbent may have the opportunity assist in study design and analysis as well as writing and review of relevant manuscripts. The incumbent may have the opportunity to creatively contribute to the research project by proposing alternative analysis strategies, generate novel projects with existing data and review literature for manuscript preparation.

The incumbent will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including reviewing journal articles and engaging in discussions on research and the interpretation of research results with PI and others in the lab.

35% Clinical Interviewing

  • Use prior knowledge of mental health conditions (from college or graduate level education) and provided training in diagnostic assessments to complete phone evaluations with potential research participants and family members. Phone evaluations will examine mental health concerns and other psychosocial factors in order to determine if individual may be eligible for research.
  • Conduct in-person ratings of symptomatology for research purposes using structured interviews and under the supervision of faculty member.
  • Use knowledge of mental health conditions and available treatment options to provide referrals to consumers who are not eligible for research study.

20% Data Collection and Organization

  • Conduct behavioral assessments with research participants including computerized and paper-and-pencil tests of multiple aspects of cognitive functioning.
  • Maintain databases of all study data, including demographic, symptom, and cognitive data.
  • Oversee individuals at clinics and schools who are participating in our study to ensure adherence to study protocol (i.e., correct use of electronic tablets and referral information).
  • Maintain organized records for all participants in locked filing cabinets

10% IRB Protocol Maintenance

  • Maintain HIPAA and Consent documents for IRB, including adhering to required privacy laws
  • Maintain accurate enrollment counts
  • Calculate quarterly enrollment counts for submission to NIH
  • Ensure appropriate staff are maintained on IRB protocol

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE The incumbent will be expected to actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers, and weekly workshops to help candidates develop their career goals. Additionally, the incumbent may also participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and/or review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

The incumbent may have the opportunity to submit data for presentation relevant conferences, such as Society of Biological Psychiatry or Society for Neuroscience (if funding is available).

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; as well as the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

30% Project Coordination

  • Recruit and consent individuals to research study
  • Coordinate the scheduling of research appointments with other junior specialists on the project and track completion of all research appointments for the study.
  • Assign appropriate tasks and provide mentorship to undergraduates and volunteers
  • Attend weekly meetings with clinic staff, track consensus diagnosis and reconcile research data with ongoing clinical developments
  • Coordinate advertising and recruitment of study participants using multiple methods (e.g., paper flyering, electronic postings).
  • Participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and/or review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

UNIVERSITY SERVICE The incumbent will mentor undergraduate student assistants in the lab.

5% Service

  • Provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants

TERM OF APPOINTMENT One year, with an additional year available based on performance and needs of the research project. Appointments may be made up to 100%.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Letters of Reference

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)
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Job location

Sacramento, CA