University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Clinical Research Coordinator A - Community Canvasser (Hybrid Eligible)(Department of Dermatology)

Job Profile Title

Clinical Research Coordinator A

Job Description Summary

The Takeshita Lab is dedicated to identifying, understanding, and eliminating health and healthcare disparities related to dermatologic diseases, particularly chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The lab engages in quantitative epidemiologic studies ranging from survey studies to large population-based database studies as well as qualitative and mixed methods research to better understand the drivers of health disparities. The lab’s work is funded by federal, industry, and foundation sponsors. Current projects include ADDS-UP3, a community-based cohort study aimed at identifying the social and environmental factors contributing to racial and ethnic disparities in atopic dermatitis severity; P2P-PsO, a study evaluating the effectiveness of peer mentorship in increasing participant diversity in psoriasis research; VTEACH-PsO, a project assessing whether an educational video can increase research participation among adults with psoriasis; among other health disparities related studies.

The primary responsibility of the Community Canvasser (CRC A) position in the Takeshita Lab is to implement community-based approaches to engaging the North, West, South, and Southwest Philadelphia communities in research to understand the causes of racial and ethnic disparities in eczema (atopic dermatitis) outcomes. The Community Canvasser will conduct door-to-door outreach and participate in community events to: (i) educate community members about the importance of research participation, especially among populations that have been historically excluded from research, (ii) describe the study and obtain informed consent from eligible participants, (iii) share information about educational events, resources, and health care for eczema, and (iv) assist with data collection from study participants via home visits.

The ideal candidate for this position will have keen interests in health justice and eliminating health disparities, health disparities research, and public health, and will have superior interpersonal skills with a high level of comfort talking to strangers.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

1. Conduct grassroots, door-to-door, and other community-based outreach in North, West, South, and Southwest Philadelphia to engage residents in a research partnership with Penn to study the causes of racial and ethnic health disparities related to eczema. Outreach will include education on the importance of research participation, describing the study and obtaining informed consent, providing information on educational opportunities and other resources for information about and care for eczema, and assistance with data collection from study participants via home visits.

2. Collect data and maintain canvassing records.

3. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Participate in basic training on eczema and research procedures.
• Participate in regular research team meetings.
• Support and interact with PIs, co-Is, research managers, and other research staff.
• Maintain all relevant trainings and certifications (CITI, GCP, PENN CRC certification and assigned Penn Profiler trainings). 
• Adhere to all University of Pennsylvania, GCP, and FDA guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned which may include assisting with the collection, processing, and shipping of human specimens and/or environmental samples.
• Position involves work-related responsibilities that may occur outside of the usual workday times (before 8am or after 5pm) and during weekend days.

Duties

• Conduct grassroots, door-to-door and other community-based outreach in North, West, South, and Southwest Philadelphia to engage residents in a research partnership with Penn to study the causes of racial and ethnic health disparities related to eczema (atopic dermatitis).
• Provide education on the importance of research participation and increase access to research opportunities.
• Describe the study and obtain informed consent from eligible participants.
• Provide information on educational opportunities and other resources for information about and care for eczema.
• Assist with data collection from study participants via home visits.
• Maintain canvassing records.
• Participate in basic training on eczema and research procedures.
• Participate in regular research team meetings.
• Support and interact with PIs, co-Is, research managers, and other research staff.
• Maintain all relevant trainings and certifications (CITI, GCP, PENN CRC certification and assigned Penn Profiler trainings). 
• Adhere to all University of Pennsylvania, GCP, and FDA guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned which may include assisting with the collection, processing, and shipping of human specimens and/or environmental samples.
• Position involves work-related responsibilities that may occur outside of the usual workday times (before 8am or after 5pm) and during weekend days.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Fluency in Spanish preferred.  Background or familiarity with health equity, health disparities research and/or public health or community organizing preferred.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Superior interpersonal skills with a high level of comfort talking to strangers
• Community experience, knowledge of, and high level of comfort working in Philadelphia neighborhoods
• Willing to drive or take public transportation to select neighborhoods
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a self-guided environment
• Attention to detail

This position is contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hybrid Eligible – This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a workweek that is divided between working onsite and working remotely

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$47,313.00 - $49,554.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay