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Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
THIS POSITION IS LOCATED ON-SITE AT THE TEACCH CENTER IN CHARLOTTE, NC.
The University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism program is system of university-based regional centers to serve autistic children, adolescents and adults and their families. As part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the program has an active clinical, teaching, and research program. TEACCH operates seven community regional clinics. Our clinics and programs offer a set of core services along with unique demonstration programs meeting the needs of autistic individuals, their families, and professionals across the state of North Carolina. Also, part of TEACCH is the Carolina Living and Learning Center, a residential/vocational training facility for autistic adults as well as an Employment Services program providing Job Coaching and related services to adults on the spectrum.
TEACCH is currently part of the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program. All TEACCH programs are coordinated through a central administration and research unit in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
TEACCH provides clinical services such as diagnostic evaluations, psychotherapy, speech language therapy, occupational therapy and parent support groups. In addition, TEACCH conducts training within the state of North Carolina, nationally and internationally and provides consultation for teachers, residential care providers, and other professionals from a variety of disciplines.
TEACCH conducts clinical research focused on providing evidence-based care to autistic individuals and their families in their home communities. Our research examines intervention effectiveness in clinic, school, and community settings. Ongoing research includes a school-based anxiety intervention program, a community college-based transition to adulthood program, a telehealth program treating depression and anxiety in autistic adults, and a physical activity program for autistic adults. Studies also examine the services needs related to early intervention, employment and aging.
TEACCH has 48 full and part-time faculty, 150+ staff and provides training opportunities in both research and clinical activities for interns, postdocs and other graduate and undergraduate students.
Position Summary
This position will serve as an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator within the UNC TEACCH Autism Program. This NIH Stage 1 mixed methods study aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and efficacy of a multi-level physical activity intervention, Physical Activity and Community Empowerment (PACE). PACE is a 16-week multi-level program that utilizes self-management strategies, including goal-setting, self monitoring, and visual supports to help adults with ID engage in the program more independently through an interactive web-based dashboard. Adults with ID work with a support coach to increase daily step counts and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by engaging in individualized aerobic and strength training activities.
The project is currently focused on aim 2: conducting a feasibility and piloting a randomized controlled trial (Stage 1B). This phase will use a waitlist control experimental design with 120 adults with ID in two sites (North Carolina and Arkansas). We will measure the efficacy of PACE on increasing physical activity and explore hypotheses regarding the potential efficacy of the intervention’s effect on physical activity. The findings from this project will lay the essential groundwork for a large-scale, Stage III-IV efficacy-effectiveness trial of PACE in community exercise settings throughout the US. Our long-term goal is to promote healthy physical activity behaviors through inclusive community settings, examine the long-term impact of these programs in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia in aging adults with ID, and improve well-being in adults with ID.
The Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator will assist with the execution of study protocols, including screening and recruiting study participants, conducting study visits, and collecting, entering, and reviewing study data.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Management Preferences
- Experience in developmental or clinical research.
- Experience with survey software and statistical package software.
- Some previous understanding and experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Required Licenses/Certifications
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Evening work occasionally, Overtime occasionally, Weekend work occasionally