The Neonatal Neurocritical Care (NNCC) Program at Children’s National is hiring a full-time clinical research assistant (CRA) to start in June of 2027. We are seeking highly motivated, organized, and outgoing candidates who can commit to a two-year position.
This role offers valuable experience, perfect for recent graduates interested in careers in healthcare or research. The CRA will work closely with physicians in neonatal neurology, have opportunities to shadow in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and attend lectures, case conferences, grand rounds, and other educational activities.
Ready to Apply?
Please complete the application through Handshake. We will accept your resume or CV. If you have questions, feel free to contact Garrett from the NNCC team at gdenney@childrensnational.org. Thank you for your interest!
Job Description
The Clinical Research Assistant performs a variety of research, data and clerical duties of a routine and technical nature to support the conduct of clinical research under the direction of a senior research team member. The Research Assistant will develop a progressive functional knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) regulations and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. In this role, the Clinical Research Assistant completes tasks including identifying eligible participants under the supervision of a senior research team member, preparing necessary documents, equipment, supplies, etc. for research visits and conducting and documenting visits and protocol-specific testing/interviews according to study protocol, operational plans of clinical departments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for minimal risk studies or for other studies.
Minimum Education
BA/BS degree in a science, technical, health-related field or another applicable discipline. (Required)
Minimum Work Experience
1 year experience working in a medical or scientific research setting, internships or other experiences while in school are considered (Preferred)
Functional Accountabilities
Responsible Conduct of Research
- Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.
- Plans, conducts and manages research projects within federal and institutional regulations and policies under the direction of the principal investigator.
- Stays informed of and adheres to institutional policies and federal regulations (e.g. Titles 21 and 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations) and guidance (International Counsel on Harmonization) regarding human subjects research and use of protected health information.
- Uses research funds and resources appropriately.
- Maintains confidentiality of data as required.
- Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.
Research Administration
- Maintains knowledge and comprehension of assigned research protocols, including study procedures, timelines and eligibility.
- Accurately creates, completes, maintains and organizes study documents.
- Accounts for study materials, including participant lists and visit logs, regulatory binders, case report forms, laboratory kits, investigational product(s) and participation incentives.
- Uses and accounts for research funds and resources at performance level, including reconciling research subject billing if assigned.
- Attends study meetings, which could include overnight travel, as requested by principal investigator.
- Works well with other members of the research team and seeks and provides input when appropriate.
Participant Enrollment
Empathy and strong interpersonal skills are essential to this role. Under the guidance of the clinical research coordinator (CRC), the CRA will approach parents of babies admitted to the NICU and guide them through the informed consent process for clinical research studies. These conversations require sensitivity, clear communication, and respect for families navigating a vulnerable and stressful time.
- Adheres to the IRB-approved recruitment plan.
- Identifies participants that meet eligibility requirements under the supervision of a senior research team member.
- Screens subjects for eligibility per the protocol and institutional policies.
- Communicates effectively and provides information to a diverse, vulnerable subject population in accordance with institutional policies.
- Interacts with study participants and/or legally authorized representatives (LARs) to communicate study purpose and participation details and to assess participation interest.
- Engages participants/LARs in the informed consent process according to institutional policies.
- Follows procedures for documenting participant incentive distribution.
Study Management
- Plans, conducts and manages research activities in accordance with federal regulations and guidance documents and sponsor and institutional policies under the direction of a senior study team member.
- Conducts and documents visits and protocol-specific testing/interviews according to study protocol, operational plans of clinical departments and SOPs for minimal risk studies or for other studies under direction.
- Completes accurate IRB submissions within institutional timeframes.
- Records participant visits in the appropriate tracking system.
- Anticipates study needs and subject caseload in order to meet organizational objectives and deadlines in a timely manner.
Data Collection
- Ensures data is collected as required by protocol and in accordance with research data principles (ALCOAC: Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate and Complete).
- Ensures that queries are resolved within sponsor and institutional timelines.
- Plans and performs research specimen collection, labeling and storage/shipping if assigned; maintains accurate sample accountability/chain of custody documentation.
- Ensures secure storage of study documents and assists in maintaining regulatory documents per sponsor and institutional requirements.
What You’ll Receive:
- Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
- Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
- Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
- Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.
Why Join Us:
- Nationally Recognized Excellence – Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children’s Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- Leading Pediatric Care – One of the largest and most comprehensive children’s hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.
- Innovation & Research – A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.
- Mission-Driven Culture – Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams.
The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children’s National believes an individual’s base pay rate will fall for this position. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children’s National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual’s combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children’s National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.
Children’s National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law.
Please note that it is the policy of Children’s National Hospital to ensure a “drug-free” work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children’s National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.