Managing your Research StaffPresenters:

Julie Horne, Lawson Health Research InstituteElana Whelan, Western

October 11, 2013

Declaration: Julie Horne and Elana Whelan have no actual or potential conflicts of interest in relation to this educational program.

Objectives

To highlight points to consider when hiring research staff;

To highlight the supervisor’s role and responsibilities for research staff; and

To review the approval process and requirements for conducting clinical studies in the hospitals, prior to hiring staff.

Hiring Research Staff

Type of Research i.e. Clinical or Academic Relationship

– Lawson/Hospital (LHSC or SJHC)– Western

Terms of Employment – Temporary employment (one-year renewable contracts)– Research job titles are determined by the relationship– Compensation - based on funding or UWO Collective Agreement

What to consider when hiring Research Staff

Length of funding Responsibilities and duties Hours of work Union vs. Non Union Job posting requirement Salary pay scales

What to consider when hiring Postdocs

Letter of appointment for immigration purposes Determination of the Relationship Pay rate guidelines Maximum length of a Postdoc

Hiring Clinical Research Staff

Hiring process – Recruitment (Internal or external candidates)– Non-union Research positions– Employee Action Form– Standards of Business Conduct/Conflict of Interest – Employment Standards Act (ESA)

Supervisor Responsibilities for New Research Staff

Review role and expectations Ensure that outcomes are understood Review hours of work, how breaks/lunches and

absences will be handled and tracked Regular check-ins Probationary period Performance management Termination/Severance Obligation and (ESA)

Staff Requirements

You have hired your research staff and completed the necessary documentation. You have heard that there are expectations for research staff by the employer, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Labour.

What are the mandatory requirements that you need to pay attention to?What are some specialty training requirements that may apply to your research staff?

Staff Requirements

Documentation and identification Health requirements (if applicable) Privacy & confidentiality – education,

agreement Employee orientation - policies and

procedures; code of conduct Reporting illness/injuries - Occupational Health

& Safety Services departments at each site

Required Staff Training

Mandatory Legislated Health & Safety: WHMIS Fire Safety (hospital)

Clinical Research (with Patient Contact): N95 Fit Test Infection control Electronic Patient Record (EPR)

Western/Lawson Health & Safety

Laboratory: Faculty/Supervisor Responsibilities Seminar General Laboratory Safety & Hazardous Waste

Management Biosafety (if applicable) X-ray Safety (if applicable) Health & Safety Committee

Required Approvals

You are interested in starting a clinical trial at LHSC or SJHC. You are anxious to start consenting participants.

You know that you are able to start recruitment once you receive your….

Approval Process

Signed clinical trial agreement with sponsor Research Ethics Board (REB) approval Lawson approval form (R number) Health Canada approval

Important Contacts – Priceless!

HR Lawson – Julie Horne ext. 78953

HR Western (Schulich Staff) – Elana Whelan ext. 80388

LHSC HR – Alycia Hummel ext. 32566

SJHC HR – Karen Topfer ext. 65599