Central Navigator, Streamlined Research Ethics Review

Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) is an independent, non-profit organization established in 2012 to support Ontario in achieving the vision of being a preferred location for global clinical trials while maintaining the highest ethical standards. A strategic focus for CTO is improving the speed and reducing the cost of conducting multi-centre clinical trials and health research studies by streamlining the research ethics review process. CTO is seeking an organized and detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and problem-solving skills to join our team in the role of Central CTO Navigator.

The Central Navigator plays a vital role in expediting the submission of research proposals to the Research Ethics Board (REB) by offering a comprehensive concierge service. Acting as a dedicated point of contact, the Navigator bridges communication between research teams across participating centers and the REB, ensuring all required documentation is accurate, complete, and timely. With expertise in study conduct, regulatory compliance, and REB processes, the Navigator proactively supports researchers, helping them focus on scientific work by reducing administrative burdens and promoting adherence to maintaining compliance with CTO standards and policies.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordination and Facilitation: Serve as a central liaison for research teams, ensuring seamless communication with the REB and across participating centers. Facilitate coordination of documentation, submissions, and responses required for ethics review.
• Document Review and Submission: Oversee the submission of REB applications, study protocols, consent forms, and other essential documents. Ensure submissions are complete, meet provincial application standards, and align with center-specific requirements.
• Proactive Issue Resolution: Identify and address potential gaps in submissions to minimize delays during ethics review. Provide guidance to research teams to clarify requirements and rectify documentation issues prior to submission. Ensue all sites understand the system and have access to the protocol and all other required documents. Address missing, inconsistent, and incorrect information.
• Efficient Communication: Establish and maintain standardized communication standards between study sites to ensure timely, accurate, and unambiguous information sharing. Assign clear responsibilities for managing communications and provide regular updates to facilitate coordination and address potential issues promptly. This includes prompt updates on submission status, required actions, and document requests to ensure timely and transparent information flow.
• Digital Platform Management: Utilize digital tracking platforms to monitor submission progress, provide real-time updates to researchers, and maintain transparency among all stakeholders. Ensure that all communications and document handling are streamlined to enhance operational efficiency.
• Operational Efficiency: Develop and implement strategies to minimize administrative burdens on research teams and the REB. Promote faster decision times by optimizing document flow, submission timelines, and communication processes.

Please submit applications with cover letter and salary expectations by January 5, 2025 at 12:00 noon in confidence by email to: matthew.dascanio@ctontario.ca
For further information please contact:
Matthew DAscanio
Clinical Trials Ontario
661 University Avenue, Suite 460
MaRS Centre, West Tower
Toronto, Ontario | M5G 1M1
Tel: 416-673-6601 | Email: matthew.dascanio@ctontario.ca
www.ctontario.ca