Physician Assistant - Research

Salary Range

$65.87 - $79.81

Overview

Located in the heart of Washington, we enjoy open skies, snow-capped mountains, and the lakes and rivers of the high desert. We are the proud home of orchards, farms, and small communities. Confluence Health actively supports the communities we serve and their quality of life through our community support program and through our individual efforts as involved community members.

Full Time Employees of Confluence Health receive a wide range of benefits in addition to compensation.

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Saving Accounts
• Paid Time Off
• Generous Retirement Plans
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Adoption Assistance
• Shift Differential

For more information on our Benefits & Perks, click here!

Summary

The PA-C, Clinical Research / Sub-Investigator provides clinical care to research participants and serves as a Sub-Investigator on clinical research studies conducted at Confluence Health. Working collaboratively with the study Principal Investigator, Clinical Research Medical Director, and Clinical Research Manager, the PA-C performs clinical examinations and assessments, orders and reviews diagnostic tests, establishes diagnoses, prescribes medications when appropriate, evaluates treatment response and adverse events, and provides participant education and follow-up care in accordance with study protocols, delegated authority, licensure, privileges, and organizational policy.

The PA-C exercises independent clinical judgment in carrying out delegated investigator responsibilities, including identifying and responding to participant safety concerns, completing required research documentation, and communicating significant clinical findings to the Principal Investigator and research team. This position works closely with investigators, research coordinators and nurses, regulatory staff, pharmacy, laboratory personnel, sponsors, CROs, and clinical departments to support high-quality clinical research at Confluence Health. The PA-C practices with appropriate autonomy while recognizing when clinical or research decisions require escalation to the Principal Investigator.

Position Reports To: Research Manager

Essential Functions

• Serve as a Sub-Investigator on assigned clinical research studies and perform delegated investigator responsibilities under the oversight of the Principal Investigator (PI).
• Provide protocol-directed clinical care to potential and enrolled research participants. Perform comprehensive or focused histories, physical examinations, clinical assessments, and follow-up evaluations based on the protocol and participant’s condition.
• Exercise independent clinical judgment within licensure, privileges, competence, protocol requirements, and delegated authority. Recognize when participant needs or research decisions require consultation with or escalation to the PI.
• Evaluate potential and current research participants for study eligibility and continued participation by reviewing medical history, medications, diagnostic results, treatment history, physical findings, and protocol requirements.
• Evaluate and manage participant safety concerns, including adverse events, serious adverse events, abnormal findings, and changes in clinical condition. Initiate appropriate clinical care and communicate significant findings to the PI and research team.
• Order, perform, and review protocol-authorized diagnostic tests, medications, treatments, and procedures. Assess findings and determine appropriate clinical follow-up or escalation.
• Administer, dispense, or oversee the administration of investigational products, intravenous or injectable medications, or study devices when permitted by the protocol and organizational policy.
• Complete timely and accurate clinical and research documentation, including participant assessments, eligibility determinations, medical decision-making, safety evaluations, study records, and required reports.
• Complete and maintain Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training and other research credentials at the frequency required by Confluence Health, the sponsor, the Institutional Review Board, or applicable regulations.
• Work collaboratively with the Principal Investigator and research team, including the Clinical Research Medical Director, Clinical Research Manager, research coordinators, nurses, regulatory staff, pharmacy, laboratory personnel, and clinical departments.
• Participate in study feasibility and evaluation of potential research opportunities, providing clinical input regarding patient population, study requirements, safety, resource needs, and recruitment considerations.
• Participate in sponsor and Contract Research Organization meetings, monitoring visits, audits, inspections, and quality assurance activities as appropriate to the Sub-Investigator role.
• Support identification and referral of potential research participants and promote awareness of appropriate clinical research opportunities within Confluence Health.
• Required to maintain Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Demonstrate standards of behavior and adhere to the Code of Conduct in all aspects of job performance at all times.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's Degree Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
• 3–5 years of clinical experience as an advanced practice provider, demonstrating the ability to independently assess and manage patients within scope of practice.
• Active Physician Assistant licensure with prescriptive authority in the state of Washington, required by start date.
• Basic Life Support (CPR) certification (within 90 days of hire).
• Excellent written and verbal communication and outstanding customer service skills.

Desired:

• Prior experience in industry-sponsored clinical research, including experience as a Sub-Investigator, investigator, research clinician, or provider caring for clinical trial participants.
• Experience in oncology or another specialty relevant to the clinical research portfolio.
• Experience with clinical trial activities such as participant eligibility, adverse event assessment, investigational therapies, or protocol-directed care.
• Experience working with sponsors, CROs, IRBs, research coordinators, and multidisciplinary study teams.
• A working knowledge of the clinical trial process across diagnostic, therapeutic, and device trials.
• Bilingual with the ability to pass a fluency evaluation with a CH chosen vendor.

Physical/Sensory Demands

O = Occasional, represents 1 to 25% or up to 30 minutes in a 2 hour workday. F = Frequent, represents 26 to 50% or up to 1 hour of a 2 hour workday. C = Continuous, represents 51% to 100% or up to 2 hours of a 2 hour workday.

Physical/Sensory Demands For This Position:

• Walking - F
• Sitting/Standing - F
• Reaching: Shoulder Height - F
• Reaching: Above shoulder height - O
• Reaching: Below shoulder height - F
• Climbing - F
• Pulling/Pushing: 25 pounds or less - F
• Pulling/Pushing: 25 pounds to 50 pounds - O
• Pulling/Pushing: Over 50 pounds - O
• Lifting: 25 pounds or less - O
• Lifting: 25 pounds to 50 pounds - O
• Lifting: Over 50 pounds - O
• Carrying: 25 pounds or less - F
• Carrying: 25 pounds to 50 pounds - O
• Carrying: Over 50 pounds - O
• Crawling/Kneeling - O
• Bending/Stooping/Crouching - O
• Twisting/Turning - O
• Repetitive Movement - F

Working Conditions:

• Normal office environment which consists of sitting at a desk for long periods of time, talking on the telephone, and working on computers and paperwork. This environment also consists of working in close proximity to co-workers.

Job Classification:

• FLSA: Exempt
• Hourly/Salary: Salary

Physical Exposures:

• Unprotected Heights - No
• Heat - No
• Cold - No
• Mechanical Hazards - Yes
• Hazardous Substances - Yes
• Blood Borne Pathogens Exposure Potential - Yes
• Lighting - No
• Noise - Yes
• Ionizing/Non-Ionizing Radiation - No
• Infectious Diseases - Yes