UH Credentialing Process for Clinical Researchers

University Hospitals has developed a Credentialing Process for non-UH personnel to access UH protected Health Information (PHI) for clinical research. This credentialing process will allow:

  • Access to protected health information for IRB-approved clinical research projects;
  • A UH-based title (Research Faculty for Ph.D. researchers at CWRU or Research Associate for all others);
  • A UH log-in and email account and
  • Free access to UH-sponsored research training programs

All non-UH personnel involved with Clinical Research at University Hospitals are required to complete several steps in order to obtain access to UH IT systems for the purposes of conducting clinical research.

Steps to gain access to UH PHI for Clinical Research

  • Complete University Hospitals Application for Research Staff Appointment and submit accompanying documentation:
    1. Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for clinical research
    2. Data and Systems Use Agreement
    3. Proof of criminal background check
        How to obtain a UH criminal background check:
      • Go to www.CorporateScreening.com/vendor and click on Vendors/Contractors button.
      • Enter the special promotional code: uhresearcher and then hit the GO! button.
      • Complete the online application section in its entirety.
      • Have credit card (Visa/Mastercard/American Express/Discover) information ready in order to process payment. (Cost: $45)
      • Click Submit button at the end of the process and you’re done. You will be provided with an electronic receipt and confirmation code at the time of completion.
      • A unique login that can be used to view your results will be emailed to your email address. Reports can be retrieved at www.CorporateScreening.com/vendor by clicking on the Retrieve Background button.
  • Complete the Health Information Privacy and Security (HIPS) module from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training program (Attach Completion Report to Application for Research Staff Appointment.)
  • View the a one-hour training session: HIPAA and Clinical Research.
  • Obtain IRB approval of protocol which includes descriptions of systems needed to complete the research, a list of all individuals who will have access to the information and for how long, how the data will be protected during the protocol and how the data will be returned or destroyed at the end of the protocol.

Once the credentialing process has been completed, UH IT will be notified to set up appropriate access.
For questions about this process please contact David Ehlert, Director of Research Operations at 216-844-5527 or .