Developing and Implementing a Research Administration Training Program Tony Onofrietti, M.S., CRSS Director of Research Education The University of Utah 801-585-3492 tony.onofrietti@hsc.utah.edu www.education.research.utah.edu
Session Facilitator Bill Ernest Grants and Contracts Officer The University of Utah 801-581-4714 801-581-3007 fax william.ernest@osp.utah.edu www.osp.utah.edu
Overview of Presentation Describe the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of designing and implementing training programs Demonstrate the Research Administration Training Series (RATS) website, registration system and database Discuss your questions, ideas and suggestions throughout the program
But First.. Who Are You?
Goals and Objectives to ensure compliance with all federal and university regulations to enhance the overall productivity of members of the research community to develop a standardized body of knowledge, and to support and maintain best practice methodologies in research
Why Should They Come? Professional Development Improve job performance Increase potential for advancement Continuing Education Units (CEUs) / Contact Hours Networking and Socialization Peers and Colleagues Senior Administration Marketing Opportunity Presenters (Departments) Participants (Advocacy)
Certificates of Achievement Specialized tracks of study within the overall curriculum Official recognition awarded by the Vice President for Research Designed to address the specific and immediate needs of participants in an area of expertise Enables participants to maintain understanding of current best practices and to update and share learned information on a regular basis
What is Research? A systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Many forms of research exist..
Pre-Award Elements Researcher Resources Funding Searches Grant Writing Proposal Preparation Budget Development
Post-Award Elements Project Management Grants and Contracts Administration Governmental and Research Accounting Effort Reporting, Audits and Recharge Centers
Clinical Research Elements Institutional Review Board & Human Subject Research Good Clinical Practices Source Documentation and Data Management Financial Management of Clinical Trials: Budget Development, Negotiation & Pricing
Times May Change..
But We re Still In the People Business
Who is our target market? All members of the University research community: Research Administrators Clinical Research Coordinators Principal Investigators Faculty, Staff and Students (graduate, post-doc, undergraduates) Physicians & Nurses Local area hospitals, clinics and personnel
Guys.. Where Are We? Venue Selection Considerations: Class Format (lecture, roundtable, computer lab) Technology (projection, internet, multi-media) Infrastructure (shuttle, parking, rest rooms, telephones) Refreshments & Break Area Consistent Availability
When Do We Do It? Scheduling Considerations: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays Afternoons (2:00pm - 4:00pm) 2-hour session with break Core and Requisite courses, and Investigator Workshops, offered twice a year Special Interest Topics offered once a year
How To Do It Even those who are the very best at what they do have mentors and collaborators.
Develop Partnerships with Key Departments Contact to request insight and counsel Discuss needs assessment Describe mutually beneficial solutions Solicit support, fellowship and comraderie Listen, be flexible, and establish trust
Recruit and Retain Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) Identify and recognize as distinguished faculty Encourage co-presenters, panels and consultants Coordinate planning meetings to design course format and to develop curriculum Assess speaker strengths and weaknesses Provide support and speaker enhancement services Share evaluation feedback Group appreciation events
More Items to Consider Fee vs. Non-Fee Cost Structuring Voluntary vs. Mandatory Participation Professional Associations Marketing and Promotional Strategies Evaluation Process Records and Statistics
Fee vs. Non-Fee Cost Structuring Philosophical Level: Is it our responsibility to provide these services to the constituency? Administrative & Financial Level: What does a comprehensive cost / benefit analysis indicate? Political & Cultural Level: How should University and non-university populations be differentiated? Consider: no cost for University personnel and a nominal fee for community members
Voluntary vs. Mandatory Participation Some Issues to Contemplate: Implementation Strategy Enforcement Policies Duty of Care and Responsibility SME Recruitment Hiring Decisions Compensation Issues Benevolence / Malevolence
Professional Associations Many national and state associations offer an application process for recognition as an acceptable provider of accredited continuing education contact hours. May be fee-based. Documentation of candidate participation in certification and recertification programs, and a detailed class summary report, is generally required within a specified time.
Marketing and Promotional Strategies Know all your target audiences Prepare a complete feature / benefit table for selling programs and services Be creative in designing promotional materials Place advertisements throughout campus area Seek speaking engagements
Evaluation Process Include in survey design both quantitative and qualitative questions about the presenters, course content, class materials and the stated teaching objectives Distribute and collect course evaluations at each event Use feedback as starting point in course planning meetings
Records and Statistics Maintain accurate program totals for both reporting and benchmarking functions: Number of Registrants and Attendees Demographics of Attendees Number of Evaluations Collected Revenues and Fees Received Expenses Incurred Associated Administrative Costs
Take Home Points Training is an investment. It is an investment of time, personnel, financial and physical resources. But, training will always cost less than not training. Training + Collaboration = Success Numbers add up to nothing. It s all about relationships! Let them know you care. Show them that the greatest success you experience is helping them to succeed! Be passionate, service-oriented, responsive and committed to exceeding expectations.
Most Importantly.. Have Fun! Many organizations fail their mission simply because upper management does not listen to its front-line employees. If your staff isn t having fun, chances are your customers aren t having fun as well. Don t be afraid to take chances.
RATS Program Goals To promote a culture of compliance and research integrity at the University of Utah To provide coordinated education and training programs which assist faculty and staff in the management of research activities To facilitate a trained workforce in research administration supporting the academic mission of the University of Utah To advance professional development and high performance standards for all research administrators at the University of Utah
For More Information Tony Onofrietti, M.S., CRSS Director of Research Education The University of Utah 801-585-3492 tony.onofrietti@hsc.utah.edu www.education.research.utah.edu