Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Chairperson

Barwon Health is seeking Expressions of Interest for the following position:

Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Chairperson.

The Barwon Health Human Research Ethics Committee (BH HREC) reviews all research conducted by Barwon Health staff or students involving human participants. The primary role of the committee is to protect the welfare and the rights of participants in research.

Committee members are required to apply the ethical principles and values set out in the National
Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007), (the National Statement) and to review applications and consider the ethical implications of proposed research involving human participants. HREC members help to advance leading-edge research in an important and practical way by bringing an independent view to the committee.

Individuals with suitable experience and qualifications, and both Barwon Health staff members and individuals external to the organisation, are eligible to apply for this position. However, the Chairpersons other responsibilities must not impair the HREC’s capacity to carry out its obligations under the National Statement.

The BH HREC meets 10-11 times per year. Meetings usually begin at 6:00pm and are approximately 2-3 hours long. In addition, the Chair communicates with the Research Ethics Officer to provide advice or review, as required on a weekly basis.

The Chair of the BH HREC is expected to
• Become familiar with and consult the National Statement and other guidelines relevant to specific research proposals
• Read ethics applications, amendments and reports, prepare for and attend scheduled meetings of the committee
• Facilitate discussion and consensus based decision-making about the ethical acceptability of research proposals
• Follow established mechanisms for receiving and handling complaints or concerns about the conduct of an approved research project or the conduct of the HREC.

Applicants must also
• Possess high standards of professionalism and integrity
• Be willing to actively lead and contribute to HREC meetings
• Have the ability to review large proposals within short time timeframes
• Possess effective interpersonal skills.

Current or previous research experience, ethics committee experience, and/or senior academic experience will be highly advantageous.

The Chair is offered an honorarium in acknowledgment of the time associated with chairing the meetings and performing executive duties.

To apply, please submit a covering letter outlining relevant skills and experience and a
current CV by Monday 4th December 2017 to:

Professor Frances Quirk
Director of Research, Barwon Health
c/o Ms Donna Killeen
Personal Assistant to Director of Research, Professor Frances Quirk
Email: dkille@barwonhealth.org.au
Telephone: (03) 4215 2899

For more information, the HREC’s TORs and meeting dates, see the REGI webpage.

http://www.barwonhealth.org.au/committees-meetings-and-dates

Or contact:

Dr Giuliana Fuscaldo
Manager Research Ethics, Governance and Integrity (REGI) Unit, Barwon Health
Email: gfusca@barwonhealth.org.au
Telephone: (03) 4215 3372

Membership of the BH HREC is in accordance with the requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e72syn.htm

Position Description
Barwon Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Chairperson

Responsibilities
1. To uphold the responsibilities of the HREC Chair and apply the ethical principles and values set out in the National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research (the National Statement), the HREC terms of reference, Barwon Health policy and procedures, and operating guidelines.
2. To provide leadership and impartial guidance in relation to the responsible conduct of research on human participants as per the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (the Code) and the National Statement.
3. To chair HREC meetings in a manner that ensures that the views of all members are received and considered and that consensus based decisions are made where possible.
4. To make decisions about the most appropriate ethical review pathway for ethics applications, amendments, reports, etc.
5. To consider the ethical implications of proposed research projects on human participants and to determine whether they are acceptable on ethical grounds.
6. To review monitoring reports about approved research projects until completion to ensure compliance with approved ethical standards.
7. To promote good communication between the HREC, researchers, and the institution.

Specific duties to be undertaken
• Become familiar with the National Statement and consult other guidelines relevant to the review of specific research proposals.
• Read ethics applications, including ethics applications, amendments and reports that require full ethical review and expedited review.
• Prepare for and attend scheduled meetings of the committee or, if unavailable, provide opinions in writing on the ethical acceptability of research proposals before meetings.
• Contribute to the exchange of opinions from members at the meetings.
• Follow established mechanisms for receiving and promptly handling complaints or concerns about the conduct of an approved research project or conduct of the HREC.
• Promote staff, student, and HREC member awareness of relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Report to the NHMRC and external agencies as appropriate.
• Review and comment on institutional plans and policies that may affect the welfare and rights of human participants.

 
Qualifications – skills, expertise, experience, knowledge
Membership categories are prescribed by the National Statement.
• The chair will require suitable experience in accordance with the responsibilities and duties outlined above.
• The chair’s other responsibilities must not impair the HREC’s capacity to carry out its obligations under the National Statement.
• Current or previous research experience, ethics committee experience, and/or senior academic experience will be highly advantageous.

Personal attributes required
• Ability to facilitate and actively lead meetings that require consensus-based decisions
• Effective decision making skills
• Ability to review large proposals within short timeframes
• High standards of integrity and professionalism
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to interpret policy and legislation and apply it sensibly

Training provided
• The appointed member will be provided induction training and online HREC training
• During membership, all members are given the opportunity to attend training workshops relevant to the work and responsibilities of the committee.

Attendance requirements
• Currently, the committee meets 10-11 times per year.
• Meetings usually begin at 6:00pm and are approximately two to three hours long, depending upon the number and nature of proposals submitted.
• The chair communicates with the research ethics officers as required and will need to review or approve applications on a weekly basis.
• Other meetings may be scheduled as required.

Location of work
• Committee agendas and applications are distributed electronically.
• Committee meetings are held at St Marys St Mary’s Library & Research Centre, Barwon Health

Accountability
• The BH HREC and Chair report to Barwon Health Quality, Safety, Clinical Governance and Reform Committee.