Clinical Rater, Psychology

Job Description  |  Full-Time |  On-Site

Position Summary

The Clinical Rater is responsible for interviewing research participants and their informants or caregivers who are being evaluated for enrollment in clinical studies across a range of health conditions. Working as part of a multidisciplinary research team, this role administers and scores protocol-specified psychometric rating scales, ensures participant safety, and maintains data integrity in full compliance with study protocols, SOPs, GCP, ICH guidelines, and applicable FDA regulations.

This position plays a key role in the accuracy and consistency of clinical trial data by preventing rater drift, completing all sponsor-required certifications, and supporting the Principal Investigator in determining participant eligibility.

Key Responsibilities

Participant Screening & Assessment

• Review subject medical histories and conduct pre-screening interviews to assess eligibility for specific clinical trials
• Administer protocol-specified psychometric rating scales for participants across a wide range of diagnoses, including Alzheimer's Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, MDD, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder, and Substance Use Disorders
• Calculate and apply rating scale results to determine protocol eligibility under the supervision of the Principal Investigator
• Conduct telephone pre-screens and eligibility interviews as needed

Data Integrity & Documentation

• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely source documentation in accordance with ALCOA-C standards
• Complete all sponsor- and monitor-assigned queries within required timeframes
• Actively work to maintain consistency in rating performance over time for individual subjects to prevent rater drift
• Maintain strict confidentiality of participant and company information in compliance with HIPAA guidelines

Participant Safety & Communication

• Ensure participant safety by appropriately assessing and responding to any potential for harm to self or others identified during evaluations, and reporting per company policy
• Provide appropriate community resource referrals to participants, caregivers, and family members as needed
• Facilitate timely, professional communication with participants, study staff, Sponsors, CROs, Monitors, Auditors, and central rating organizations
• Articulate rating concerns or issues to the CRO, Sponsor, Principal Investigator, and study team

Team Leadership & Training

• Serve as study lead across a minimum of four concurrent studies
• Provide weekly schedule oversight for a minimum of two study coordinators
• Complete all Sponsor-assigned rater training and maintain certification and re-certification per protocol requirements
• Attend Sponsor meetings, Monitor visits, webinars, and company training programs
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Ideal Candidate Profile

Someone who:

• Understands how rigorous, consistent ratings directly impact clinical trial outcomes
• Notices when a participant interaction is off-protocol and proactively corrects course
• Is comfortable working across research, clinical, and sponsor-facing teams without close supervision
• Brings genuine empathy and professionalism when working with participants of varying cognitive abilities
• Takes ownership of rater certification, re-certification, and quality standards

 Required Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Psychology, Neuroscience, or a closely related field
• At least 2 years of experience administering psychometric rating scales in a clinical or clinical trial setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Solid working knowledge of clinical research protocols, FDA regulations, GCP, and ICH guidelines
• Experience conducting cognitive and clinical assessments with adult and/or geriatric populations
• Strong documentation skills with demonstrated attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, EHR platforms, email, and web-based applications; 40+ WPM typing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, or a related field; Certified Psychometrist designation is a plus
• Current or prior certification in one or more of the following scales: SCID-5-CT, MINI, MADRS, HAM-D / HDRS-17, HAM-A, Y-BOCS, CAPS-5, PANSS, YMRS, MGH-ATRQ, C-SSRS, CGI-S / CGI-I, QUIDS-SR, SDMT, SCS, WPA, PHQ-9
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
• BLS certification
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior staff in a clinical research environment