Clinical Research Assistant

About Us
Founded in 2007, Iowa Diabetes is a leading diabetes research and care organization in West Des Moines, Iowa. We are passionate about improving the lives of people living with diabetes through comprehensive clinical care, patient education, and innovative research. Our team has conducted over 230 clinical studies and served more than 2,500 patients, helping them manage their health and achieve better outcomes. We combine compassion, expertise, and collaboration to make a meaningful impact on our patients and the broader community.

Position Summary
The Clinical Research Assistant (CRA) supports the development of medications and therapies for patients with diabetes by assisting with research study visits and ensuring study procedures are conducted efficiently and accurately. This role works closely with Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) to support patients, manage study supplies, collect data, and maintain compliance with sponsor and regulatory guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare for study visits by pulling supplies, prepping devices, charging equipment, and initializing systems.
• Assist CRCs in supporting patients during study procedures, including taking vitals, performing ECGs, point-of-care HbA1c checks, blood sugars, urinalysis, and other protocol-specific procedures.
• Assist with filing, updating data logs, and uploading device data (e.g., CGMs, insulin pumps) into electronic systems for research data collection.
• Manage and communicate study supply inventory with CRCs to ensure all visits have the correct supplies.
• Organize and unbox study supplies at the start of trials and properly document destruction of supplies at the end.
• Support in-clinic sessions by operating devices used for blood sugar checks and continuous glucose sensor accuracy.
• Room and clean exam rooms following patient visits.
• Serve as the MASH Research Assistant champion, supporting MASH research studies and assisting CRCs with study-related activities.
• Train and perform Fibroscan testing and act as backup for Fibroscan screenings.
• Schedule vendor appointments for research studies (e.g., eye exams, liver biopsies, EGDs), communicate with vendors, coordinate schedules with patients, and obtain required reports.
• Attend vendor sites as needed to support study procedures.
• Complete protocol-specific and electronic case report form (eCRF) training to ensure timely and accurate data entry.
• Enter study data into applicable databases within three days of study visits and assist CRCs in managing EDC queries.
• Complete special projects as assigned by the manager or leadership team.

Qualifications & Skills

• CNA or CMA required.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in direct patient care or research.
• CPR certification (to be obtained within 6 months of start date).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, arithmetic, office procedures, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, research-focused environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent communication skills and professionalism when interacting with patients, CRCs, vendors, and research teams.
• Comfortable working on-site full-time in a patient-facing role.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $ $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending