Research Coordinator (SRI) - Evaluative Clinical Sciences - Regular Full-time 2025-12407

The Research Coordinator will have day-to-day responsibilities working alongside the Preeclampsia Implementation Program study team and Prenatal Screening Ontario. This includes administration and oversight of the project with Dr Okun, assisting with project management, establishing pre-launch timelines and study group meetings, developing educational materials, training, assistance, and supervision of health care provider personnel to screen patients throughout the Dan W and B program,  meeting all regulatory and privacy requirements, possible aid in writing for presentations and publications, and liaising with the project steering group, investigators and clinical team members.  

STUDY SUMMARY

The Preeclampsia Implementation Program will introduce a strategy of systematic screening for the prevention of preterm preeclampsia with low-dose aspirin (LDA) for those at risk in the DAN Women & Babies Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; a program that provides pre-conception, pregnancy, delivery and post-birth care, as well as gynecological care. This research study will use a validated test that combines clinical risk factors with a blood test to assess the risk for preterm preeclampsia in the first-trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, the Program will explore the feasibility of including other “biomarkers” such as a standardized measurement of blood pressure to further improve the accuracy of the test.

The Program will be based on enrollment of pregnant individuals by the primary obstetric care providers in the Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto practice, community sites (i.e. Vibrant Healthcare Alliance, North Toronto Ontario Health Team) serviced by Sunnybrook’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Sunnybrook Hospital-based clinics.

Sunnybrook Hospital will be the first hospital in Canada to introduce this preterm preeclampsia screening and prevention program.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

• Prepare and administer a quality improvement intervention within the Dan W&B program to prepare for program wide screening for preterm preeclampsia
• Screen 2000 pregnant individuals over a 1-year period of enrollment
• Increase uptake of LDA from the current Ontario rate of 38% to 80% in a nested group of high-risk pregnant individuals delivering at SHSC over the course of 1-year
• Evaluate/assess clinician uptake of standard Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) measurement and variation by practice setting (midwifery, family medicine, obstetrics and community vs. referral site)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to Dr. Nan Okun, Division Head, Maternal Fetal Medicine Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre DAN Women & Babies Program, and with co-supervision by Shelley Dougan (Director, Prenatal Screening Ontario), the Research Assistant will:

• Support the Preeclampsia Implementation Program Study and Prenatal Screening Ontario teams
• Oversee and support implementation infrastructure prior to program launch
• Oversee and support individual and group practices after launch to facilitate implementation of program
• Oversee the recruitment of participants and obtain consents
• Administer study (with investigators/steering group)
• Assist with qualitative/quantitative data analysis
• Assist with creation of  all study materials including educational pamphlets, posters, requisitions, surveys
• Communicate  with study personnel, sites, and investigators throughout the Dan W&B Program
• Supervise of the collection, scoring, and coding of research information
• Assist with grant-related requirements including REB submissions
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and manuscripts
• Training and supervision of health care personnel with administering the multiple marker screen for preterm preeclampsia
• Budgetary monitoring and financial reporting, where necessary
• Coordinate and organize relevant research meetings including monthly QI feedback team meetings
• Assist with recording and responding to feedback for PDSA cycles of improvement
• Perform work in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and all Sunnybrook Hospital corporate/departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILL AND ABILITIES                                                                                                                                       

• University graduate degree essential, Masters Degree may be beneficial (Preferred)
• Minimum 3 years research assistant experience (maternal-child preferred) (Essential)
• Understanding of mixed methods research design, procedures, guidelines and standards governing clinical research including the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act (Essential)
• Demonstrated management and organizational skills (Essential)
• Data management experience (Essential)
• Proficiency in computer skills (Microsoft Office) (Essential)
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and organizational skills (Essential)
• Demonstrated collegiality, professionalism, and team skills (Essential)
• Experience with REB submissions, Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (Preferred)
• Experience with protection of personal health information and privacy requirements (Preferred)                                                                                    

WORKING CONDITIONS

• In person position at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Able to take guided initiative and to work independently in an organized fashion
• Able to work in a dynamic environment and be able to multi-task
• Able to be flexible with working hours in order to meet deadlines
• Able to work under tight deadlines under sometimes minimal supervision

TO APPLY

Applicants should send their cover letter and CV to Susan O’Rinn at susan.orinn@sunnybrook.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted.

Sunnybrook Research Institute is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter.

Sunnybrook Research Institute is strongly committed to inclusion and diversity within its community and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: visible minorities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.