Research Specialist

We are seeking a Research Specialist that will be responsible for performing research, clinical related and administrative functions in support of three Allegheny County Department of Human Services funded Programs and one Washington County Funded Program. All referrals for these four clinical programs come from the Allegheny County Juvenile and Family Court, and the Allegheny and Washington Counties Child Protection Agencies. Children, teens and families are referred and court mandated to one of our programs for engaging in problematic sexual behaviors or fire setting behaviors. The Research Specialist will work in collaboration with the treatment Clinicians and Psychiatrists in our department and with trained Probation Officers from the Special Services Unit of the Northern Probation Office of the Allegheny County Juvenile Court, other members of the Juvenile and family Court, staff from the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families, the Washington County Children and Youth Service Agency and providers both within and outside of the UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital community. The Research Specialist will conduct clinical and research assessments with the families in the Allegheny and Washington Counties program offices and also via telehealth, as well as self-report measures from a variety of other data sources (e.g., youth, parents, teachers, referral sources, other collateral sources) utilizing both tablet computers and paper- and-pencil questionnaires. The Research Specialist will maintain a flexible work schedule, including availability of 3 afternoons and evenings, in order to meet the needs of the families and programs. This is a hybrid schedule, including time in our Allegheny County Office, and our Washington County Office.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the preparation, administration, and completion of clinical-research intake and discharge assessments to support the clinical and scientific goals of the programs.
• Participate in clinical sessions with children/juveniles and families, as requested by clinicians or the Program Director.
• Co-facilitate fire safety/science/prevention education sessions with families, in collaboration with the SAFETY Program clinician/supervisor.
• Attend Epic and EpicCare training sessions; assist with client check-in and session organization using EpicCare.
• Greet clients and families upon arrival and assist with coordinating and organizing assessment packets, clinical notes, and treatment materials.
• Prepare documents for clinicians and staff, such as worksheets, court letters, intake summaries, and discharge reports.
• Create and update clinical forms, intake/discharge packets, and program materials in Adobe Acrobat.
• Provide administrative support and act as a liaison between program staff, clinics, and community partners; assist with public relations and organizing meetings.
• Maintain knowledge of study procedures and communicate any updates or changes.
• Attend and prepare materials for weekly team meetings for SAFE, SAFETY, and PFE Programs, and present case summaries.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of case data in the system.
• Use technologies like spreadsheets and Telehealth to support documentation, coordination, and assessment tasks.
• Assist with administrative duties such as scanning, copying, filing, and mailing documents.
• Collaborate with the treatment team and external caseworkers to improve program operations and treatment procedures.
• Attend weekly supervision meetings with the Program Director.
• Assist in training new interns, including summarizing legal data and conducting assessments.
• Help clinicians with appointment reminders, session prep, and client timeline creation.
• Conduct literature reviews and summarize webinars, conferences, and presentations.
• Perform monthly inventory of office supplies and place orders as needed.
• Handle other related tasks to ensure the smooth operation of all programs, including coordinating intern schedules and tracking deadlines.