New Investigator Information Sheet

Biostatistics

The Biostatistics Department consult with investigators on study design and provide analysis of study results, design data forms, key study data and maintain close contact with study coordinators and research assistants.

Clinical Research

A Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), or study coordinator, works with the investigator at a research site within the Scott & White System. Many research coordinators are nurses, while others have varied undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, often in other health care fields. The CRC is responsible for the orchestration of every aspect of the clinical research project from inception to completion. Each research project must be organized and coordinated at the site within the rules and guidelines stipulated by state and federal governments and international guidelines. They schedule patient appointments, evaluate the patient's eligibility for the study, instruct the patient on what the study requirements are, ensure the patient is fully informed about the research project and collect data for the study. Data may be simple values like heart rates or more complex like physical exams.

OSRA

The Office of Sponsored Research Administration (OSRA) provides support for submitting all internal and external grant applications including grants for education and research. All grant applications must be submitted to the OSRA to initiate processing. The office can help investigators identify appropriate funding agencies. In addition, the office coordinates an excellent training program for improving the investigator's grant writing skills.

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Hiring Employees

The first step in this process is to meet with your department director in order to create and determine funding source for your new employee. Then the Scott & White Human Resources Department handles all new hires. They target and select the most qualified candidates for the desired position, conduct the interview process and make job offers contingent upon successful pre-employment. Each new hire is required to attend and complete the Scott & White Employee Orientation which is coordinated and conducted by this office.

In vivo Studies

In vivo Studies, accredited through the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC) and in accordance with federal and state regulations, the Animal Facility provides housing and complete husbandry for animals that are utilized for research and education purposes. In addition to husbandry, the staff provides assistance and performs many technical and surgical procedures. Also, all procedures and protocols must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to ordering or using any animals. The IACUC office protects and supports the investigator to assure all federal, state and local rules and regulations are complied with the required documentation.

Library Services

The Richard D. Haines Medical Library is located on the third floor of the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine (TAMHSC-COM) Education Center at Scott & White. Library privileges are available to the full and part-time staff of Scott & White. Borrowing privileges are also extended to TAMHSC-COM students and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor junior and senior level nursing students. Healthcare professionals in the community may use the materials on the premises only. Scott & White employees have electronic access to databases, e-books, e-journals, resource guides and article requests by clicking the Medical Library link provided on the Scott & White Intranet (login required).

Ordering Supplies

Supply Chain Services maintains in General Stores the articles commonly used in a research lab, office supplies are ordered from Perry Office Plus. Scott & White employees can access product information and selection by clicking the Order Supplies Online link provided on the Scott & White Intranet (login required). Items not in General Stores may be secured from an outside vendor of your choice. Regardless of the source, all supply requisitions are done using PeopleSoft online ordering. To obtain access to online ordering you must first set up an account on PeopleSoft and schedule a one-on-one training session in order to facilitate usage of the software.

Research Compliance Office (IRB)

Housed within Corporate Compliance, the RCO administers the institutional human research protections program. This program encompasses the administrative support for the following:

1. Institutional Review Board (IRB), the federally-mandated committee for protecting human subjects in research. RCO staff serve to facilitate the IRB review process by providing guidance to investigators during the design and conduct of human subject research.
2. CITI (Collaborative IRB Training Initiative), a web-based mandatory educational program for investigators and key study personnel conducting human subject research.
3. An internal audit program for human research conducted by Scott & White, including random and for-cause audits to ensure projects are reviewed and conducted in accordance with local standard operating procedures, federal and state regulations, and the institution's assurance with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP).

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Research Finance (post award)

Research Finance is dedicated to appropriate accounting, budgeting and financial tracking of all research projects and grants as well as other non-research projects and grants.

We monitor project financial activity, review and approve expenditures, track and pay patient care charges, and time and effort tracking and reporting. In addition, we prepare financial reporting to government sponsors, perform financial close-out of projects and final reporting and do billing and collections from industry sponsors.

Research Support Services (ORLCS)

The Office of Research Laboratory Compliance and Support (ORLCS) provides safety oversight and administration, personnel training, coordination of hazardous and radiological waste disposals and core equipment support for the medical research laboratories. The office is staffed by Radiation Safety officers and Research Radiation and Safety coordinators. ORLCS works in conjunction with the Scott & White Environment of Care Council, Animal Facility, Medical Research Building (MRB) Radiation Safety Committee, Research Compliance Office, Grants Administration Office, TAMHSC Research Office and the TAMHSC-COM building superintendent. The ORLCS works with principal investigators, research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, residents, research assistants and technicians in all aspects of medical research in providing general laboratory, personnel and safety regulation support. Researchers are encouraged to contact the office for assistance in safely setting up and operating their laboratories.

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