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ETC Research Associate Program
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Research Associate (RA) Program at Hackensack University Medical center
The RA Program at Hackensack University Medical Center is part of a nationwide organization known as the National Alliance of Research Associates Programs (NARAP). NARAP is a consortium of emergency departments and colleges that collaborate to conduct research in hospital emergency departments. We utilize RAs to enroll large numbers of participants and perform a variety of functions relevant to each study. During orientation, students will be trained to become Research Associates (RAs), performing tasks relevant to specific research studies.
We hope to have all of our RAs involved in the Tobacco Cessation Study as this study will be our primary focus for the Summer and Fall semesters. The Tobacco Cessation Study is a national, survey-based study in which RAs will survey low-acuity patients and their visitors in the Emergency Department about their tobacco usage. To do this, RAs will use a hospital-issued laptop and an online survey program. They will read scripted consent forms and input data into the online computer system. During orientation, RAs will be trained to use the survey program, interact with patients and practice safety in the hospital.
While working on the Tobacco Cessation Study, RAs will have the opportunity to work on other clinical research studies in the Emergency Trauma Department. We ask that RAs devote at least four hours of their time to research studies each week and at least 100 volunteer hours during their time at Hackensack University Medical Center.
The role of a Research Associate
Research Associates are typically college students that are interested in pursuing a career in the health professions. The RA program provides valuable research experience to students in a clinical setting. RAs are extremely vital in Emergency Trauma Department research and work on a variety of studies during their time in the program. RAs are able to collect data and screen for studies, while interacting with patients and the medical staff. They receive all of the necessary training that they need in order to conduct accurate research. Research Associates will also become certified by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) to participate in clinical research. After at least 100 hours of service, Research Associates will receive a letter of recommendation for their future endeavors.
Application Process
1. Fill out the RA application here.
2. The Recruiting Chief RA will contact you.
3. Obtain a statement of endorsement from a health professions advisor and email it to the Recruiting Chief RA. Directions in regards to this statement can be seen below.
4. Become CITI certified by following the directions below. Email your CITI certificate of completion.
5. Fill out the volunteer application that will be emailed by Hackensack University Medical Center Volunteer Services.
6. Email the Recruiting Chief RA when the application process is completed. The Recruiting Chief RA will then contact you in regards to scheduling an orientation date.
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Complete Your Application
If you are interested in joining the RA program at Hackensack University Medical Center, please review our application process and a Chief RA will contact you after your application has been received.
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Certification
RAs will need certification for biomedical research from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program. This is necessary to conduct research on human subjects.
The certification may be obtained online at www.citiprogram.org.
Once on the website, Please click on the “Register Here” link next to New Users and follow the prompts.
Here are some steps to guide you through the CITI New User Registration Process:
1. For the field that asks for your institution, select “Hackensack University Medical Center.”
2. For the field that asks about CME/CEU credits, select “No.”
3. For the field that asks for your institutional email address, enter the email address you use most often.
4. For the field that asks for your role in human subjects research, select “Student Researcher – Undergraduate.”
5. For the field that asks for your office phone number, enter the phone number you use most often.
6. For the field that asks for the course you would like to take, select “Basic Human Subjects – Biomedical Basic Human Subjects.”
7. For the field that asks you to choose a learner group, select “Biomedical Research Investigators.”
Once registered, you will be required to complete courses that involve reading articles and answering questions related to the articles (this will only take a couple hours of your time).
When you have successfully completed these courses, please send a copy of your certification to the Recruiting Chief RA via email.
Statement of Endorsement Instructions
It is necessary for potential RAs to provide a statement of endorsement from a Health Professions Advisor. For this letter, it is only required that the following statement be written on official college stationary:
“__________________ is a student in good standing at ________________ college/university. He/She is looking toward the possibility of a career in the health professions. He/She has my endorsement to serve as a Research Associate in the Emergency Trauma Department of Hackensack University Medical Center.”
Please email a copy of the signed statement of endorsement as a PDF file via email.