Mission of the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation:
The Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation (GAP) is a person-centered non-profit organization dedicated to speeding the delivery of innovative therapies to those in need by reducing the time and cost of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorder’s clinical trials.
Job Purpose/Summary:
The Mobile Unit Clinical Research Coordinator will support prescreening efforts and provide education, access, and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease trials, particularly in areas with significant African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino populations. They will broaden the reach and capacity of local research sites and will allow for the ability to prescreen “on-location” at community outreach events, health fairs, neighborhood senior centers, etc.
About the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation:
In 2017, the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation (GAP) established GAP-Net, a growing network of >90 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) research centers committed to disrupting recruitment and study conduct processes to increase the speed and lower the cost of completing clinical trials. GAP supports GAP-Net research centers by assisting with study start up and recruitment activities, promoting inclusive research, and offering national programs that champion brain health and the citizen scientists who make research possible.
One of GAP’s strategic priorities is to substantially increase enrollment of understudied populations to levels of 10-25% in Alzheimer’s trials. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is twice as high in the African American/Black population and 1.5 times higher in the Hispanic/Latino population when compared to the white/Caucasian community. Awareness, knowledge, and access to appropriate trials are essential, intersecting factors that influence participation and successful representation of a diverse candidate pool in a clinical trial. The number of underrepresented participants in AD studies must increase to ensure future treatments benefit patients of all races and ethnicities and to meet the growing expectations of regulators and payors.
In 2022, GAP launched its Inclusive Research Initiative (IRI) program that includes a 3 pronged approach focused on increasing awareness, education and clinical trial access for understudied populations. The deployment of Mobile Units is a key component for engaging new potential research participants by traveling to communities that are traditionally comprised of underserved and understudied populations and are a significant driving distance from Alzheimer’s disease research sites.
Responsibilities and Primary Objectives:
This position will be responsible for transporting a 28’ Class C RV Platform Base vehicle to areas with significant African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino populations to provide education, access, and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease trials and coordinate and implement assigned prescreening assessments and protocols.
Essential functions as a part of the Mobile Research Unit (MRU) team include:
- Responsible for collaborating with assigned research sites in the GAP-Network geographic region(s) and GAP’s Community Connectors to create and implement strategies and tactics for recruiting and prescreening people from traditionally understudied and underrepresented populations beyond the local research facility.
- Build and nurture relationships and work collaboratively with community-based organizations and businesses that serve people from traditionally understudied communities to provide information awareness, and access to Alzheimer’s clinical trials.
- Recruit, educate, and screen potential research participants through community outreach, educational presentations, and memory screening events, including presenting health information to large audiences.
- Register participants for pre-screener, provide study-related information, obtain informed consent, and maintain required protocol documentation
- Perform protocol-related procedures, which may include obtaining medical histories, conducting systems reviews, collecting vital signs, performing cognitive assessments, and conducting phlebotomy and specimen collection as required.
- Ensure accurate, consistent, and timely implementation of study protocols, documentation, and quality control procedures.
- Prepare and maintain regulatory and study-related documents, including IRB submissions, informed consent forms, sponsor correspondence, and other required records.
- Prepare phlebotomy kits. Collect and process blood specimens; verify the identity of the participant and label all samples and requisitions according to the established procedure; obtain blood specimens by skin puncture or venipuncture using appropriate techniques and maintain the integrity of specimens in relation to the test performed. Recognizes abnormal or unusual circumstances and takes appropriate actions.
- Complete training in the operation and driving of the MRU, within 30 days of start date, and drive the unit long distances as needed.
- Monitor and maintain inventory of medical, educational, office, and operational supplies to ensure the MRU remains fully stocked and event ready.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment within the MRU and at community outreach locations in accordance with safety, infection control, and regulatory standards.
- Conduct routine cleaning, inspections, and quality checks of the MRU to ensure operational readiness, and coordinate vehicle maintenance, including inspections, repairs, registration renewals, and preventive services.
- Oversee the maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and readiness of clinical, laboratory, and research equipment; ensure proper storage and security of equipment and supplies; and maintain operational records, permits, certifications, and compliance documentation.
- Assist with the setup, operation, and breakdown of the MRU for community outreach events, educational programs, and participant screening activities, while ensuring compliance with biomedical waste disposal, safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Serve as the primary coordinator for MRU operational readiness, including vehicle safety, equipment functionality, inventory management, and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Medical assistant/LPN/general -
- National phlebotomy certification through an approved certifying body, or willingness to earn certification.
- A bachelor’s degree preferred and/or minimum of 2 years research experience, or 2 years’ experience as EMT/paramedic.
- Proven record of successful problem-solving and decision framing skills
- Organize and conduct large community outreach events, including identifying community partnerships and opportunities, setting up of vendor tables and tents at events, public speaking, and working in community-based settings
- Ability to work independently and remotely
- Capacity to travel overnight regionally within Florida, , up to 75% time each month, sometimes on short notice.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Communication Skills Preferred:
- Bilingual, English and Spanish-speaking
Technical Skills Required
- Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word and Excel
- Data entry in EDC systems
● Ability to drive a 28’ Class C RV Platform Base vehicle
● Active driver’s license and clean driving record, subject to verification
Pay: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
