Note: This position is located in Rhode Island, and requires valid driver's license and automotive insurance to travel between TPC facilities.

Job Summary:

The Providence Center Research Assistant will support the clinical research study investigating tobacco harm reduction strategies for individuals with mental illness (MI). This NIH-funded study explores whether behavioral support (SWITCH IT) combined with electronic cigarette (e-cig) provision enhances smoking harm reduction compared to e-cig provision alone. The research aims to help smokers with MI who struggle to quit by encouraging e-cig switching and assessing related health outcomes.

The Research Assistant will play a critical role in participant recruitment, data collection, study coordination, and administrative tasks to ensure the study runs smoothly. This position provides an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in public health, psychology, addiction research, and behavioral interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Screen, recruit, and enroll study participants, ensuring informed consent is obtained.

Maintain regular communication with participants to schedule study visits and encourage engagement.

Ensure compliance with study protocols, regulatory requirements, and ethical guidelines.

Administer surveys and assessments (e.g., smoking behaviors, craving, self-efficacy) at multiple time points.

Assist in biological sample collection (urine NNAL analysis) for objective harm reduction measurement.

Record and manage participant data using electronic data capture systems (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics, or equivalent).

Conduct qualitative interviews to assess barriers and mechanisms of behavior change.

Prepare and distribute study materials (e.g., consent forms, surveys, intervention manuals).

Document participant interactions, intervention adherence, and study progress.

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field.

Must have own transportation and be willing to commute to and from research sites in the state of Rhode Island.

Minimum one years' experience working in psychological research.

Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Prior experience with mental health, substance use, or tobacco research preferred.

Familiarity with IRB protocols, research ethics, and human subjects research regulations preferred.

Experience using SPSS, R, REDCap, Qualtrics, or other statistical/data management software preferred.

Knowledge of motivational interviewing, harm reduction, or smoking cessation interventions preferred.

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions; Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, and our Wellness Center, are trusted organizations fueling the latest advances in medical research, attracting top specialty-trained doctors, and honing renowned services and innovative programs to engage in the important discussions people need to have about their health.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.