⏰Lab Shifts
First Week
The first week for each RA should be devoted to the following:
Ensuring RAs understand the content of this manual and general lab practices, including confirming that CITI training, Human Resources paperwork, and the hiring process have all been done
Training on the protocol for any ongoing or upcoming studies
Training on all the security and data management works in the lab
Testing tasks to ensure they work as intended and that the variables are recording correctly
Clock-in and Clock-out
If you are working for pay or Federal Work Study you will need to clock-in and clock-out every shift using OneUSG Connect. Failing to keep track of your time may mean that your paycheck will not be correct. At the very least, it will create extra work for your supervisors and our office staff, who are already busy.
If you forget to clock-in or out or you notice your hours on your timesheet are not correct, then please let the Time Approver know as soon as possible.
Supervisor
The graduate student or other senior lab personnel listed on the schedule for your corresponding time slot is considered your supervisor and is responsible for:
Ensuring RAs arrive when their shift begins and leave when it ends
Making sure the study protocol is being followed
Monitoring the progress of the study
Delegating tasks and duties to RAs
Filling in for RAs in the running or control room as needed
Assisting RAs with any aspect of the study procedures
Ensuring that breaks are taken for all qualifying shifts, and that they are taken at a reasonable time
RA Assignments
There are two main roles that RAs perform on their shift: the "runner" and the "controller".
The "runner" is the one that sits in the running room to administer the tasks and take any notes in the electronic running room lab notebook.
The "controller" is the one that sits in the control room to monitor emails, schedule participants, welcome participants on arrival and obtain informed consent, maintain the subject database, and more.
It is up the RAs working the current shift to determine who does what role. In general, it is a good idea to get experience in both roles over the course of your time in the lab.
When There is Nothing to Do
The RA in the control room will often find that there is a lot of down time. We highly prefer that you use that time to do lab related work and not use it for your own personal work or free time.
Besides your normal responsibilities, here is a list of things you can do when there is down time:
Check that the subject database is up-to-date
Have all the participants that came in today been added to the database? What about participants yesterday? Make sure their session date has been added! Is all their other information filled in?
Check that the schedule (and other documents) is accurate and updated Mistakes get made. That is okay. Always double check things like the schedule. For example, maybe you notice that a subject was scheduled twice for the same session. Check the email to see if they rescheduled, it might be the case that someone forgot to remove the session they needed to cancel.
Are there enough lab / study materials? Do more subject folders need to be created? Are any forms printed out (e.g., informed consent)? Are we running low on any supplies - let the lab manager know.
Ask any graduate students and lab manager if there is anything to be done Do not ask Randy, however. We might have some tasks for you to do. Please do not hesitate to come ask us, even if 99% of the time we say no. It does not bother us, and we prefer it.
Read our lab's publications (or publications related to our work) This is a great way to be more informed as to the actual research we are doing and would be required if you want to get more involved in the lab. See our publications page or ask any of the graduate students if there is anything you should be reading.
Watch recorded lab meetings We will try to record certain lab meetings, that way if you want to stay informed on current projects and data you can do so.
Learn how to use R We primarily use the programming language R to manage and process our data. If you become familiar with how to use R, this would be a great way for you to get more involved in the research. You can learn from many of the resources that are available online in addition to our lab's useRguide that covers workflows and packages more specific to our lab.
Chat with us Feel free to come by to discuss and ask questions related to our current research, life as a student, advice, or whatever! We might be busy but we enjoy engaging with you all so do not hesitate.
Keep the lab tidy If you have any dishes in the sink, clean them! If the trash is overflowing take it out (at the end of the hall by the refrigerator) or put it out in the hallway for the custodial staff. Keep things in the lab organized (if a stapler, pens, etc. is just hanging out on a table, put it back on the shelf where it belongs).
Breaks
Shifts of 3 hours or more are eligible for a 30-minute lunch break, should you desire to have one. For longer shifts (6-8 hours), you can also request an hour- long break instead. You also cannot take it at the beginning or end of your shift (i.e., leave early or arrive late). If you have a 4-hour shift, for example, the break needs to start no earlier than a half hour in, and no later than 3 hours in (so that you get back with at least 30 minutes left on your shift).
When you take this break is at your discretion, but you need to let your supervising grad student know when you leave and when you return to the lab. Do not be afraid to ask for a break. Please be conscientious and communicative with other RAs about your breaks such that two RAs are not on break simultaneously, you are not leaving someone overworked, etc.
Swapping Hours
RAs are permitted to swap hours with other RAs. However, you need to talk privately with the other RA about it and then let the lab manager or a graduate student know. If this becomes a common occurrence, then a scheduling change is probably necessary.
Absense & Tardiness
If you must miss a shift for a non-emergency reason, the lab manager or a graduate student needs to know as soon as possible, preferably with at least a day’s notice. You also need to try to find someone to cover your shift and give them reasonably advanced notice.
Missing shifts for class-related things (writing a paper, studying for a test, too much homework, etc.) is frowned upon. If this becomes a recurring issue, your hours will be reduced, or you may be replaced.
Emergencies come up. Let the lab manager or a graduate student know if something is going on and you need to miss on short notice. We reserve the right to ask for documentation and, if this becomes a common occurrence, we will do so.
It is important to be on time. You will often be relieving someone else or coming in just as the lab opens/participants start showing up; if your shift starts at 10:00am be in the lab at 10:00am. Occasionally an RA is scheduled to come in right after a class or your shift ends right before the start of another class. We try to schedule shifts to avoid such instances, but this is not always possible. If that is your situation, let the lab manager or supervising graduate student know in advance, and you will be fine to leave a few minutes early or come in a few minutes late without penalty. Other than that, tardiness (being even a minute late) will not be tolerated. Again, if there is a legitimate reason that you are habitually late, just come talk to someone about it.
Independence
After training, RAs are expected to be knowledgeable and comfortable with lab and study procedures and to function independently and proactively. If lab managers, graduate students, or other RAs are consistently reminding or encouraging you to fulfill your lab duties, there is a problem.
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