Niagara Health is a multi-site hospital amalgamation, comprising five sites serving over 450,000 residents across the 12 municipalities making up Niagara Region.
The Niagara Health Knowledge Institute has a vision to transform healthcare in Niagara through knowledge generation, knowledge mobilization and capacity building. Niagara Health (NH) places great value on teaching, learning, research, innovation and partnerships. As such, NH provides opportunities for Research Visitors (i.e., volunteers supporting the conduct of research activities), Medical Learners, and Learners to participate in scientific exchange, collaboration and learning in a research environment.
Overview of the Research Visitor Program
The primary objective of the Niagara Health Research Visitor program is to provide students, recent graduates and individuals new to research with the opportunity to obtain necessary hands-on training and experience to move forward with a successful career in research.
At Niagara Health, volunteers for research are called Research Visitors. A Research Visitor is an individual who performs tasks for research at Niagara Health without monetary compensation or course credit. Research Visitors have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with research conducted at Niagara Health under the supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI).
Research Visitor Responsibilities
Below is a list of common duties that a Research visitor at Niagara Health will be performing:
- Assisting with screening charts and identifying potential study participants
- Data collection (e.g. chart abstraction, source documentation) and case report form completion
- Data entry into various electronic data capture systems (e.g. REDCap, iDataFax, Trial Master)
- Assisting with developing and documentation of procedures
- Administrative tasks (e.g. scanning, photocopying, uploading files to databases, mailing surveys)
- Database development, testing and data cleaning
- Interacting with enrolled study participants in person or by phone (e.g. administering surveys)
- Assisting with repairing required documents and submissions to ethics boards
- Assisting with preparing and writing literature reviews
- Other tasks as assigned
Program Requirements
A commitment to work one six-hour shift per week or two three-hour shifts per week for a minimum of six-months is required (total = 156 hours). The Research Visitor program operates Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for on-site research activities.
Consistent attendance is valued and therefore no more than two missed shifts due to illness and one planned missed shift for vacation are allowed during the six-month term. Additional absences may warrant termination of the Research Visitor relationship with Niagara Health.
Approximately three months into the Research Visitor placement, a two-way evaluation will be conducted. You will be given feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. You will also have the opportunity to provide input on our program and how we can help you achieve your learning goals. At the end of the six-month term, you will be provided with an evaluation of your performance that classifies you into one of four categories: outstanding, excellent, successful, unsuccessful.
Research Visitors who successfully complete the Research Visitor program will receive a Certificate of Completion and may be provided with a letter of reference upon request.
Skills and Qualifications
The following education and experience are required for acceptance into the Research Visitor program:
- Post-secondary education in research, health sciences, social sciences or medicine
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Organized with keen attention to detail
- Ability to be self-directed, flexible and take initiative
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- You may also be required to use your personal phone for dual authentication for access to research systems
How to Apply
Enrolment is rolling and you may apply at any time. Acceptance into the program may be limited by capacity of the research team(s) to accommodate a Research Visitor.
Submit a Research Visitor application form
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