The research reentry process is not at all a “one-size-fits-all” initiative, but we’ve highlighted the most important initial tools for building your plan.

Be prepared to move forward slowly and carefully. The return will be gradual, and most everyone who can continue to work remotely is encouraged to do so. Because reentry guidelines require social distancing and other protective measures that depend on a variety of factors, everyone should remain flexible and creative in how their plans for returning can be most responsive to the needs of the entire team.

Each item on the list below comes from one of two locations and these should serve as official reference in all decisions and procedures: the UAB Reentry Web Page, and the UAB Office of Research Resumption of Research Web Page.

1.      Review the principles guiding the return to research. This will provide you with the starting point for understanding the larger plan for the campus. The allowable activities guidelines should also act as a valuable starting point.

2.      Prepare your official return plan. Investigators should work with division directors and department chairs to create their Return to Operations Plan. Investigators can use this Return to Ops Operational Template, or create something similar. The plan must be reviewed and approved by your department chair or division director and the Dean's Office before anyone on the team can return to work. Departments and divisions carry the responsibility of ensuring that everyone follows the plan each and every day.

3.      Familiarize yourself with training and tracking requirements.

• The COVID-19 Basic Safety & Awareness Course is required for everyone returning to campus, and must be completed prior to their arrival.
• The UAB Healthcheck will be required for completion every three days for anyone returning to campus. This tool will assess your current health status along with the existence of any COVID-related symptoms and make recommendations to guide your decision-making.
• Not required but highly recommended is the Exposure Tracer, a tool using Apple and Android devices to assess your contact with others and to create an alert for you and others who may have been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, the UAB Office of Research has created tools to help with everything from human subjects research guidance to sample telephone scripts for participant phone calls. Explore the web page for more useful resources.

When can I start using CCTS capacities?  We know many are eager to resume human subjects research that involve participant encounters in the CCTS Clinical Research Unit and the Child Health Research Unit.  We appreciate the eagerness to reengage with the Clinical Research Support Program and to reboot nutrition studies.  The CCTS is taking active steps to develop reentry plans for the safety of our staff, research teams and participants.  Stay tuned to upcoming issues of the CCTS Digest and visit our website for more information.