Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant (Clinical Research) - Tucson, AZ

Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant (Clinical Research) – Tucson, AZOverview & Highlights
Location: Tucson, AZ
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM; Friday half-day dedicated to administrative work and charting
Compensation: $130,000–$155,000 per year, depending on experience
Experience: Experienced NPs and PAs with a specialty-care background required; clinical research experience strongly preferred
Research Opportunities: Phase 1 and Phase 2–3 clinical trials
Benefits: 4 weeks PTO, CME budget and time off, 401(k) with 6% company match, medical/dental/vision coverage, sick time, paid holidays, and disability coverage
Location & Logistics
Work Environment: On-site specialty care and clinical research setting
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, with a Friday half-day reserved for administrative responsibilities and charting
Travel: Interoffice travel may be required; company vehicle or mileage reimbursement provided
On-Call: Participation in APP call rotation as applicable
About the Opportunity / A Day in the Life
We are seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) to join a growing clinical research team in Tucson. This position combines specialty patient care with participation in Phase 1 and Phase 2–3 clinical trials, offering an opportunity for an experienced APP to expand their expertise in research medicine and innovative therapies.
Due to the clinical and research complexity of this position, this opportunity is not open to new graduate NPs or PAs.
Monday through Thursday, you will focus primarily on patient care and clinical research responsibilities while collaborating with physicians, Principal Investigators (PIs), experienced APPs, research coordinators, and other clinical professionals. Responsibilities include evaluating and managing standard-of-care and research patients, participating in protocol-driven study visits, conducting appropriate medical and safety assessments, providing patient education, and maintaining accurate clinical and research documentation.
Fridays are structured as a half-day focused on administrative work and charting, providing dedicated time for documentation, research responsibilities, protocol review, and other administrative duties outside the primary patient-care schedule.
Depending on your clinical research background and assigned studies, you may participate in Phase 1 and/or Phase 2–3 research and take on Sub-Investigator responsibilities in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and research team.
Phase 1 Research APP – Experience Requirements
Ideal Phase 1 candidates will bring:
3–5 years of experience as an NP or PA in specialty care when accompanied by relevant clinical research experience
Clinical research experience is strongly preferred, particularly within GI, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Surgical specialties, Urology, or Neurology
Understanding of clinical research studies, protocols, and protocol-driven patient care
Experience working collaboratively with a Principal Investigator (PI) and clinical research team
Ability to manage the increased clinical, safety, documentation, and protocol requirements associated with early-phase research
Candidates without previous clinical research experience must have at least five (5) years of NP or PA experience in specialty care.
Due to the complexity of Phase 1 research, new graduates will not be considered for this role.
Phase 2–3 Research APP – Experience Requirements
Ideal Phase 2–3 candidates will bring:
At least 3–5 years of experience as an NP or PA in specialty care
Clinical research experience preferred
Specialty experience may include GI, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Surgical specialties, Urology, or Neurology
Familiarity with clinical research protocols, study procedures, or protocol-driven patient care is highly valued
Ability to collaborate effectively with Principal Investigators, physicians, research coordinators, and multidisciplinary clinical research teams
Why This Role Stands Out
Participate in Phase 1 and Phase 2–3 clinical research
Work directly with Principal Investigators and experienced research professionals
Gain deeper experience with clinical trial protocols and innovative therapies
Apply an established specialty-care background in a research-focused environment
Build or expand experience as a Sub-Investigator
Gain exposure to gastroenterology, hepatology, liver disease, and other applicable specialty areas
Work alongside physicians, APPs, research coordinators, and experienced clinical research professionals
Friday half-day dedicated to administrative work and charting
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
What We’re Looking For
Experienced NP or PA with a strong specialty-care background
Clinical research experience preferred, particularly for Phase 1 studies
Strong clinical judgment and ability to manage medically complex patients
Understanding of or demonstrated ability to learn clinical research protocols and study requirements
Experience working with a Principal Investigator is highly valued
Comfortable working within a structured, protocol-driven research environment
Highly organized and attentive to clinical documentation, research documentation, and study requirements
Strong communicator who collaborates effectively with patients, investigators, research staff, and multidisciplinary clinical teams
Interest in clinical trials, specialty medicine, and research-driven patient care
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Perform patient evaluations, consultations, medical assessments, and follow-up visits.
Manage standard-of-care and clinical research patients within established scope of practice.
Participate in Phase 1 and/or Phase 2–3 clinical trial activities based on experience, qualifications, and assigned studies.
Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of assigned clinical research protocols.
Conduct protocol-driven study visits and appropriate medical and safety assessments for research participants.
Evaluate patient eligibility and clinical status according to assigned research protocols and scope of responsibility.
Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, study participation, and available therapeutic options.
Collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator and other physicians regarding diagnoses, treatment decisions, adverse events, safety concerns, and complex patient needs.
Coordinate with research coordinators, recruiters, and other study personnel to ensure research visits and required procedures are completed accurately and within protocol.
Review clinical charts, source documentation, informed consent records, laboratory results, and applicable study documentation.
Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant clinical and research documentation.
Assist with identifying, documenting, and communicating adverse events and other safety information in accordance with assigned responsibilities and research protocols.
Perform applicable in-clinic procedures, including FibroScan, once appropriately trained and qualified.
Participate in research meetings, protocol training, investigator meetings, and other study-related activities as required.
Serve as a Sub-Investigator when appropriately qualified, trained, and delegated by the Principal Investigator.
Required Qualifications
Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
Current or eligible NP or PA licensure in Arizona
Appropriate national board certification
PA candidates must maintain applicable NCCPA certification
Minimum of 3–5 years of NP or PA specialty-care experience, depending on research experience and assigned study phase
Phase 1 candidates without prior clinical research experience must have at least five (5) years of specialty-care NP or PA experience
Strong clinical judgment and ability to manage complex patient populations
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work effectively with Principal Investigators, physicians, research coordinators, and multidisciplinary clinical teams
Ability to understand and follow detailed clinical research protocols and study procedures
Ability to complete and maintain required GCP and IATA training
Strong attention to documentation, compliance, and protocol requirements
Preferred Background
Previous clinical research or clinical trial experience
Experience working directly with a Principal Investigator (PI)
Previous Sub-Investigator experience
Specialty-care experience in Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Surgical specialties, Urology, or Neurology
Experience with

Work arrangement
No