Clinical Research Lead- Aboriginal Diabetes Study

Summary

Full-Time, 12-Month Contract

SAHMRI is located on the lands of the Kaurna people who are the traditional custodians of Adelaide and the greater Adelaide region. SAHMRI works with traditional custodians across South Australia, Australia, and globally. The Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme (AHE) at SAHMRI is a leading national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led unit dedicated to wellbeing and achieving health equity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia through quality and safe health and medical research.

This role is required to collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on the lands of all traditional custodians across South Australia, Australia and potentially globally.

Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and is responsible for the high prevalence of end-stage kidney disease, heart disease, blindness, and amputation. The Aboriginal Diabetes Study is a landmark program as a world-first longitudinal study of diabetes and its complications in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia. Seeking to understand the social, psychological, environmental, clinical and genomic predictors of diabetes, complication development and progression, the study will provide insights into the burden of disease and service needs into the future.

The Clinical Research Lead: Aboriginal Diabetes Study will lead clinical research activities in communities across South Australia and support the Aboriginal Diabetes Study to facilitate the collection of clinical data and ensure that appropriate follow up is undertaken with participants. The position will coordinate a diverse team under the direction of Co-Theme Lead and Program Lead: Implementation Science. This role will work closely with the lead Investigator of the Aboriginal Diabetes Study, for clinical and scientific leadership to the role.

The position will require an individual who can work in flexible environments across communities, health services and research team environments. This position will lead a team of clinical and operational field staff, with extensive blocks of field implementation that require regional and remote South Australian travel.

About the role

Key responsibilities include:

- Oversee the field team to ensure participant and study related samples and documentation are collected and stored in accordance with study protocols, ethical and best practice guidelines.
- Actively participate in the engagement of study participants according to the study plan and undertake data collection according to study protocols when required.
- Responsible for overseeing the coordination of site activities, resources, equipment and communication and undertake project procurement for clinic consumables, site catering, transport and accommodation needs.
- Communicate effectively and positively with participants, Aboriginal communities and their representative Organisations, health professionals, field team members, Wardliparingga team members and Chief Investigators.
- Onboard and deliver training on study protocols to field team members, and ensure ongoing compliance.
- Oversee, document and regularly report on all aspects of study field operations, ensuring research aims and objectives are being communicated and achieved in a timely manner.
- Responsible for ensuring the specific Work Health and Safety policies and protocols are adhered to by staff and ensuring safe working environments at sites, and for reporting and documenting incidences through SAHMRI’s WHS processes.
- Respond to participant and community inquiries.
- Undertake clinical integration activities according with the study protocol.
- Contribute with communication efforts to ensure communities are kept fully informed of the study’s progress.
- Ensure research activities and other outputs are compliant and aligned with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and working to the principles of the South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord.

About You
- Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine or Allied Health equivalent.
- Experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in a health research or clinical setting.
- Strong interest in population health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally safe, sensitive and accountable manner with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities.
- Knowledge and understanding of health and social issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Demonstrated competence in the care and management of participants/patients with complex health issues.
- Knowledge of clinical research practices and/or experience in conducting research.
- Proven ability to work in a team to deliver outreach services in challenging environments.
- Experience in est