A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

If you enjoy talking with people, seek to gain behavioral research experience, and want to help improve programs that support young adults in reaching their goals and managing health behaviors like substance use, this position may be of interest.  A research assistant is needed to approach and conduct interviews with young adults in the Flint community in the Hurley Medical Center Urgent Care and Emergency Department, as part of a research study delivering brief Motivational Interviewing interventions via video chat and snapchat with young adult marijuana users.

As a recruiter, you will work in the fast paced Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinic at Hurley Medical Center as a part of a supportive team. You will directly interface with patients in the waiting areas and inside patient rooms. During your interactions, you’ll inform participants of the various research activities they will have the opportunity to complete, gain informed consent, and collect survey assessments utilizing a tablet computer. You will conduct a unique survey assessment with enrolled participants that includes a detailed documentation of their recent substance use, using a non-judgmental and active listening approach.  As a critical component to the success of the study, the primary responsibility of this role will focus heavily on building rapport, patient engagement, community outreach, and encouraging participants to complete research activities including the interaction with health coaches on snapchat after enrollment. Primarily, recruitment will be done in-person, and will be supplemented by remote recruitment (via phone, mail, etc.). Hours may include daytime, second shift/later evenings, and weekend hours, and requires flexibility for work schedule to change if needed to meet study needs. You will also assist with scheduling follow-up assessments, and collecting and entering data.

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Screen electronic medical records to identify eligible study participants and maintain strict confidentiality of patient’s personal identifiable information.
• Approach and consent potential participants in the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinic at Hurley Medical Center in accordance to research protocols, procedures, and good clinical practice guidelines.
• Interacting with participants via Snapchat using structured content, and providing additional support to individuals who use marijuana at specified shift times, and responding to participants. Training and supervision will be provided.
• Locate participants by phone contacts, letters and home visits to participants or other primary contacts as needed.
• Handle research funds and pay participants according to study protocol
• Conduct suicide risk assessments following study risk assessment protocol when applicable.
• Attend mandatory study specific trainings and team meetings.
• Complete daily paperwork accurately in a timely manner.
• Track daily/weekly recruitment flow, create daily/weekly reports to be sent to the project coordinator or project manager at the end of each shift.
• Enter and clean data in ACCESS.
• Possible opportunity to conduct brief Motivational Interviewing sessions with participants via a video chat platform or in person.  Training in motivational interviewing and regular clinical supervision of recorded sessions and will be provided if applicable. 
• Any other duties deemed necessary to maintain the smooth operation of the research program

• Applicants must possess a High school diploma/equivalent, and have some college credits in psychology, social work, sociology, public health, or a related field.
• Flexibility to work day, evening, and some weekend hours is required. 
• Candidate will be expected to be able to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adhere to strict confidentiality policies.
• Applicant must be able to work independently for extended periods while maintaining effective communication and guidance from study coordinator and principal investigator.
• The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, demonstrates professionalism, flexibility, can communicate effectively, and is very familiar with iPhones, iPads and Snapchat. 
• Additionally, this candidate will ideally have an interest in understanding a person’s individual life story, express empathy, and have skills of active listening and rapport building.

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, public health, or a related field is preferred.
• Flexibility to work day, evening, and some weekend hours is required. 
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team and using Qualtrics and Microsoft suite is preferred.
• Previous experience conducting health services research is preferred. 
• Prior work as a mentor, counselor, advocate, or providing other kind of individual support or customer service is preferred. 
• Knowledge and/or experience with therapy models including Motivational Interviewing and substance use/addiction is desirable.

Will vary: some day, night (until midnight) and weekend shifts are required.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan participates with the federal EVerify system.  Individuals hired into positions that are funded by a federal contract with the FAR EVerify clause must have their identity and work eligibility confirmed by the EVerify system.  This position is identified as a position that may include the EVerify requirement.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.