Clinical Research Assistant III

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital – one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals. We are proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. With more than 2,200 scientists, clinician investigators, trainees and staff, and total revenues of more than $120 million, we are one of the foremost Canadian hospital-based research institutes. Our research spans more than a hundred different diseases, conditions, and specialties with an overall focus on translating discoveries and knowledge into better health.

Job description

Dr. Daniel McIsaac is an anesthesiologist and researcher at The Ottawa Hospital and is a CIHR-funded investigator. His research program (Aging Innovation in Perioperative Medicine & Surgery (AIMS)) at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute looks to improve the care and outcomes of people who require major surgery with a special focus on frailty, health system performance, and patient reported outcomes. AIMS is an interdisciplinary team of motivated researchers, clinicians, patient partners, and trainees who work in a collaborative and team-based environment.

Under the supervision of Dr. Daniel McIsaac, the Clinical Research Assistant III (CRAIII) will help support the STRIVE Trial – a randomized controlled trial of virtually-supported home-based prehabilitation compared to standard of care for adults preparing for major surgery. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Clinical Research Assistant to serve as a Prehabilitation Coach for adults preparing for surgery. The successful candidate will deliver remote, individualized prehabilitation support - including exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial coaching - to optimize patients’ health before surgery. This role combines direct patient coaching with research responsibilities to support a multi-centre clinical trial. 

Key Responsibilities Include

1) Patient Coaching & Education

• Deliver individualized, virtually supported prehabilitation programs (exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial components) to surgical patients.
• Use evidence-based behavioral and motivational strategies to enhance patient engagement and adherence
• Monitor and assess participant safety throughout the prehabilitation program, identifying and escalating any con cerns promptly.

2) Data Collection & Research Support

• Collect, enter, and verify study data accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with study protocols and ethics requirements.
• Track participant progress, adherence, and outcomes using standardized tools.
• Support the preparation of study reports, summaries, and presentations as needed.

3) Communication & Collaboration

• Maintain regular, supportive communication with participants to encourage ongoing participation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members (research staff, investigators, healthcare professionals) to ensure seamless delivery of the prehabilitation program.
• Provide feedback to the research team on program implementation and participant experience.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field (e.g., Kinesiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Health Sciences) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Evidence of training certification in Tri-Council Policy Statement -2 (TCPS-2), the International Conference on Harmonization – Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (ICH-GCP), and Health Canada Division 5 – Drugs For Clinical Trials Involving Human Subjects Experience:
• Experience delivering health or lifestyle interventions, particularly in exercise, nutrition, or psychosocial domains.
• Training or demonstrated skills in behavioral motivation techniques (e.g., motivational interviewing, coaching, adherence support).
• Ability to assess participant safety, including recognition of contraindications and escalation protocols.
• Proficiency in using virtual platforms (video conferencing, secure data collection systems).
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills required to coordinate multiple activities to meet tight or changing deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral), especially with older adults.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills required to deal with unexpected situations or issues.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills for accurate data entry and documentation.
• Proficiency in using virtual platforms (video conferencing, secure data collection systems).
• Excellent computer skills (MS Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Zoom).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingualism (French and English)
• Experience as a Clinical Research Assistant
• Proficiency with The Ottawa Hospital’s EPIC medical record, including establishing participant identification and screening processes, is considered a strong asset
• Registration with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario (Registered Kinesiologist) considered an asset