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Research Ethics Board Chair
Volunteer Position
Role
Health Sciences North/ Horizon Santé Nord is seeking a Chair for the Research Ethics Board
(HSN REB). Health Sciences North is an academic research hospital based in Sudbury,
Ontario. As the tertiary care centre for Northeastern Ontario, HSN’s purpose is to provide high
quality health services, support learning and generate research that improves health outcomes
for the people of Northeastern Ontario.
The REB is responsible for the ethical assessment and approval of research involving human
participants, as well as promoting the ethical conduct of research at HSN, the Health Sciences
North Research Institute (HSNRI), and Saint Joseph’s Health Centre (SJHC).
The HSN REB has entered into a reciprocal review relationship with Laurentian University, and
has agreements with Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) and the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics
Board (OCREB).
The REB Chair is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the board, and serves
as an advocate for the work of the REB.
Responsibilities
- Work with researchers to ensure that the rights, safety, and welfare of research
participants are protected
- Ensure that the ethics review of a research project is comprehensive and completed in
an efficient and timely manner
- Work with REB members to review, propose modifications to, approve, reject,
suspend or terminate any proposed or ongoing research involving human participants
- Enable all REB members to freely and equitably participate in discussions during REB
meetings
- Ensure that the members of the committee perform their duties diligently and maintain
their skills through continuing education
- Ensure that the REB review process conforms to the requirements of the Tri-Council
Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS)
- Where applicable, ensure that the REB review process conforms to the requirements
of:
- The Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act and Regulations
- The International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Guidance E6: Good
Clinical Practice (GCP) Consolidated Guideline
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Responsibilities
- ISO 14155: Clinical investigation of medical devices for human subjects —
Good clinical practice
- The Food and Drugs Act and Regulations including:
Part C (Drugs) Division 3 (C.03.302 to C.03.319: Positron-emitting
Radiopharmaceuticals) and Division 5 (Drugs for Clinical Trials
Involving Human Subjects) of the Food and Drug Regulations
Part 3 of the Medical Devices Regulations
Part 4 of the Natural Health Products Regulations
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Service human research
protections requirements
- Participate in collaborations with other HSN, HSNRI, and SJHC affiliates including but
not limited to, Laurentian University REB, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences
Centre REB, Lakehead University REB, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,
Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO), and the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB)
Qualifications
Required
- Demonstrated leadership skills with a positive, proactive and respectful approach to
relationship management
- Proven problem solving and critical thinking skills with the demonstrated ability to
engage with stakeholders (researchers and administrators)
- Hold a degree from a recognized university (a graduate degree in a relevant health
field will be considered an asset)
- Strong working knowledge of issues and standards in human research ethics
- Expert on relevant guidelines, regulations, and policies and their application
- Demonstrates personal and academic integrity
- Able to positively represent the HSN REB at regional, provincial and national events
- Possess excellent written and oral communication
- Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans
certification, or to be completed prior to commencement of position
Ideal
- Current or former REB Chair or member with at least two years of experience serving
on a board
- Prior involvement with a REB preferred, but any experience with leading a
committee will be considered an asset
- Knowledge and experience in research methodology and statistics
- Experience with or knowledge of clinical research and clinical trials
- A background and/or strong knowledge of the special considerations for conducting
research with northern, rural, and Indigenous populations
- Bilingual in French and English
- Experience or knowledge of medical science and clinical research would be desirable,
but is not necessarily required for this position
- Familiar with web‐based communication systems and/or have the ability to contribute
to an eREB strategy
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Time Commitment
- Three (3) year term
- Preparation for and attendance at eleven committee meetings annually onsite at HSN
(post-pandemic, meetings are currently held remotely)
- Ad hoc weekly availability
- Typically 5 - 8 hours monthly to review applications and correspond with Research
Ethics Board staff (occasionally more time is required)
Benefits
- Join a highly experienced and committed inter-professional team of volunteers
committed to upholding ethical standards in research
- Network and build lasting professional partnerships with colleagues, industry
professionals and stakeholders
- Lead a culture of excellence that supports meaningful research and improvements to
patient care and experiences
- HSN is a proud member of Northern Ontario’s health innovation cluster that includes
Laurentian University, Lakehead University, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay Regional Health
Research Institute, HSN and HSNRI. The REB Chair will be instrumental in shaping
this ongoing relationship.
To Apply
Send your curriculum vitae and covering letter explaining your interest in the role and
outlining your personal and professional suitability to: reb@hsnsudbury.ca or apply online
through BambooHR: https://hsnri.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=64.
Position will remain open until filled