The Clinical Investigations Support Office provides support to the investigators in conducting cancer-related clinical trials at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and its affiliated locations. This position is designed to improve accrual to interventional and treatment cancer clinical trials across various disease areas. It will require close coordination with the various clinical and care delivery sites where USC Norris clinical trials are active or that collaborate with USC Norris to refer patients for trials. This may include USC Norris and Keck clinics (including satellites), Los Angeles General Medical Center, and other referring entities. Responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing screening schedules, managing prescreening operations, assessing patient eligibility, and supporting patient recruitment and navigation efforts.

The scope of responsibilities for this position includes reviewing clinic schedules, prescreening patients for specific potential trials, outreach to treating or referring providers, outreach and communication with potential patients, and coordination with the clinical research coordinators who take over once a patient has consented to participate in a specific trial. Furthermore, the employee in this role will need to interface with various trial sponsors to maintain current knowledge of trial status and inquire about enrollment opportunities. This position is designed to support and guide patients throughout the screening and clinical research process by providing compassionate, respectful, and patient centered care while ensuring efficient prescreening, coordination, and communication. This role is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and excellence and fostering a collaborative, supportive environment that enables team members to contribute meaningfully to advancing human health and improving patient access to clinical trials and care opportunities. 

This position is for someone with significant prior clinical research experience, in-depth knowledge of clinical oncology, a strong understanding of good clinical practices for clinical research and experience working as a protocol coordinator. The individual must be able to work efficiently with minimal supervision, demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, and able to contribute effectively to the disease teams and investigators.

This individual must demonstrate organizational skills to handle multiple concurrent tasks efficiently and effectively, including work delegated by multiple individuals. Effective interpersonal skills are required to interact professionally with patients, families, sponsors, co-workers, investigators, and stakeholders.

The position will be a full-time exempt position, which has the following responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

Pre-Screening:

•          Review charts and medical records prior to clinic to identify potentially eligible patients and notify investigators accordingly.

•          Receive inquiries from internal and external (outside USC and LAGMC) providers and complete a pre-screening assessment for one or more potential trials

•          Review available records or obtain additional ones as needed to complete an appropriate pre-screening

•          Responsible for coordinating and overseeing site screening schedules, managing pre-screening operations and overseeing patient eligibility assessments

•          Maintain a thorough understanding of various research study guidelines that include both inclusion and exclusion criteria.

•          Contact potential patients to assist with scheduling oncology appointments and conduct follow-up communications.

•          Create and maintain detailed screening logs and records of study candidates, including demographic and outcome information, in compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Recruitment/Outreach:

•          Educate patients about available clinical trials and participation opportunities

•          Explain the study procedures and answer questions to ensure that potential participants understand the study requirements and processes

•          Discuss study purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, compensation, and follow-up care with potential participants prior to enrollment.

•          Provide education about cancer clinical trials and when appropriate, connect patient with care team, support services and available resources

•          Implement strategies to support participant recruitment in collaboration with providers and clinical teams.

•          Prepare mid-year and annual reports related to recruitment efforts and program activities.

•          Outreach to referring providers to inform them about enrollment opportunities and share specific trial information

Navigation:

•          Coordinate appointments and provide patient navigation support by addressing logistical barriers and scheduling challenges that may prevent attendance at appointments.

•          Assist patients with insurance related concerns by connecting them with appropriate resources and team members.

•          Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the schedulers of oncology related services.

Requirements:

•          Strong medical background and knowledge of medical terminology.

•          Prior experience as Protocol Coordinator in clinical oncology research is required

•          Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

•          Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams

•          Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

•          A deep understanding of assigned clinical trials and a strong commitment to connecting patients with the best available care and clinical trial opportunities

•          Ability to effectively navigate Electronic Medical Systems and databases to assess patient eligibility.

•          Detail oriented, organized, flexible and reliable

•          Bilingual preferred not required

Qualifications:

•          Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred, or a minimum of five years of relevant clinical research, patient navigation, healthcare coordination, or oncology experience in lieu of an advanced degree.

The annual budgeted salary range for this position is $$99,102.14 - $141,886. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree

Additional Education Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:
3 years of related experience with specialized research and/or programs.

Addtional Experience Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

Minimum Skills:
Related experience with specialized research and/or programs (e.g., counseling, teaching).
Ability to analyze and evaluate data, and present findings.
Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills, able to problem solve and lead conflict resolutions.
Ability to interpret and apply policies/analyses/trends.


Preferred Education:
Master's degree

Preferred Experience:
5 years of related experience with specialized research and/or programs.

Preferred Skills:
Related special education, licensing, or certifications based upon program content and services.
Proven ability to lead and guide others.

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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