Department: |
Psychology |
Effective Date: |
June, 2012 |
Grade: |
USG 8
35 hr/wk
|
Reports to: |
Chair |
General Accountability
Dr. James Danckert
Nature and Scope
This position is responsible for the administrative structure and organization of research lab activities directed by Dr. James Danckert and specifically includes the role of coordinator for the Neurological Patient Database Project. Primary tasks involve recruitment of patients through the hospital system in Kitchener-Waterloo, scheduling of meetings and experiments, maintenance of the lab website and the Neurological Patient Database (NPD).This position requires extensive knowledge of office management, website maintenance, financial management, project management, technical computer software and hardware knowledge. Exceptional skills are required in organization and creative problem solving. There is ongoing interaction with all levels of faculty, staff and students within the University. There is also considerable daily interaction with hospital staff, including occupational therapists, nurses and technicians as well as patients. This position acts as the coordinator for activities that involve graduate students, staff, and researchers, ensuring the efficient operation of the Neurological Patient Database and Dr. Danckert’s research lab.
Statistical Data
University of Waterloo personnel involved in the NPD project:
Faculty members (from 2 departments: Psychology and Kinesiology): 8
Graduate students (Psychology students): 6
Undergraduate Honours Students (Psychology): 3 - 5
Total number of current research grants: 5
Total annual funding for NPD project in current year: $53,400 CAD
Total funding for NPD in current grants: $351,708 CAD
Additional funding expected this year (year grants): $ CAD
Specific Accountabilities
NPD Project Administration
- Contributes to overall coordination of the NPD project. Specifically, recruits neurological patients at the Grand River Hospital and Freeport Health Center for ongoing research projects conducted by Psychology and Kinesiology researchers at the University of Waterloo
- Establishes and maintains ongoing relationships with Hospital Staff at the Grand River Hospital and Freeport Health Center
- Performs initial contacts, interviews, and neuropsychological screening for possible inclusion in the database
- Manages required research ethics process at the University of Waterloo and the Tri-Hospital Research Ethics Board at Grand River Hospital
- Maintains the Neurological Patient Database website
- Maintains the Neurological Patient Database and liases with University of Waterloo researchers to provide contact information for specific research projects
- Orders patient scans from Ontario hospitals
Danckert Lab Administration
- Advises and assists lab graduate students and research assistants with student research project management and grant administration; including project expenditures, preparation of materials and project protocols, and travel arrangements.
- Organizes and schedules routine lab meetings
- Orders supplies and equipment
- Provides orientation and general guidance for new lab members.
- Monitors and edits lab website
- Monitors financial activity of research grants and provides frequent budget updates to Lab Director
- Processes purchase orders, reimbursements and payments in accordance with Psychology Department’s established policies and procedures; some coordination with Office of Research may be required
- Assists with ongoing research being conducted in the lab
- Provides general administrative assistance to lab members and Dr. Danckert in the areas of correspondence, patient and hospital communication and off-site testing
- Provides first level of troubleshooting for issues arising with computers, software, printers, and photocopiers within the Lab. Coordinates the resolution of technical issues with the Psychology IT staff.
- Organizes usage of physical space in order to meet changing research needs and capacity for projects.
- Maintains a collection of scientific journals, as well as lab papers and presentations.
- Responsible for assisting with setting up payroll and submitting bi-weekly payroll for casual staff.
- Prepares payment transactions for all project expenditures and ensures accurate entry into financial database.
- Coordinates annual progress report submissions for grants, including online submission.
- Coordinates meetings, colleague visits, workshops and other events including; room bookings, equipment coordination, teleconference bookings, preparation of meeting materials, and travel arrangements for guests.
- Responsible for assisting with travel claim settlements.
- Manages all purchasing processes related to computers and other computing equipment in consultation with Psychology IT staff. Advises and prepares purchase orders for furniture, and general supplies.
- Supports all aspects of the NPD project as tasks arise.
- Liaison for campus services –Finance, Office of Research, Arts Computing Office, Procurement and Contract Services, Central Stores, Plant Operations, Graphics, Information Systems & Technology, and Communications & Public Affairs.
Dr. James Danckert Administration Support
- Assists Dr. Danckert in all administrative requests as they arise, including photocopying, faxing, etc.
- Prepares correspondence to students, researchers, and hospital contacts.
- Coordinates the completion of academic forms and all correspondence for departmental, faculty and university commitments.
- Coordinates travel reimbursement.
- Coordinates expense reimbursements for research related expenses.
Stroke Survivor Outreach
- Facilitate Aphasia Support Group at UW; this includes recruiting participants, planning and running the weekly group sessions with a co-facilitator, and evaluating the program
- Co-ordinate waiting list for Aphasia Support Group at UW
- Collaborate with WLU Aphasia Music Therapy program to refer potential clients from the NPD
- Develop relationships with members of community organizations, including the local chapters of Stroke Recovery Canada, March of Dimes and Luther Village on the Park; attend community forums and support group meetings to present research and better understand concerns of stroke survivors with a view toward supporting advocacy efforts and initiating supportive programs.
- Participate in local Heart and Stroke Foundation and related fundraisers to raise awareness.
Supervisory and Research Related Duties
- Guide undergraduate students in developing new computer interfaces to enhance ease of administration of NPD screening tests.
- Collect data on Heart and Stroke Foundation project exploring rehabilitation in stroke patients.
- Recruit patients into various faculty and graduate student research projects, monitor patient involvement to ensure individuals are not overloaded with requests to participate.
- Co-ordinate booking of Grand River Hospital's MRI facility for anatomical scans for patients and functional scanning for faculty and student research.
- Attends learning events and reads broadly on topics related to the project.
- Anticipates project needs, gathers and synthesizes information relevant to current research topics in the lab. Co-ordinates lab Discussion Forum on D2L.
- Makes presentations to stakeholders where appropriate to publicise the NPD and related research projects.
- Supervises co-op students.
- Coordinates data collection and analysis related to a variety of projects, supports project review, development, and strategic planning.
Significant Internal and External Relationships
- University of Waterloo faculty members involved in the NPD Project - from Psychology and Kinesiology.
- Psychology Department administrative and technical staff.
- UW staff in Procurement and Contract Services, Finance, Office of Research, Central Stores, Plant Operations, Graphics, Information Systems & Technology, Communications & Public Affairs.
- NPD principal investigators and administrators.
- Hospital staff at Grand River Hospital and Freeport Health Center
- Psychology Behavioural Neuroscience faculty researchers
- Undergraduate and Graduate students engaged in Danckert Lab projects
- Department Computer Systems Manager and Research Programmer
- Psychology Administrative Officer
- Faculty of Arts Computing Office
- Office of Research
- Associates and Collaborators of the faculty supervisor (Dr. Danckert)
Working Conditions