Research co-ordinator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Research Coordinator at MMP Research

MMP Research

Dr Rakesh Modi (GP Partner, Research Lead, and researcher at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge) founded research at the practice in July 2023 with assistance from Ms Katie Bartlett (Research Administrator). With their experience, networks and dedication, they set up operations and delivered the most studies of any new research practice in the region, delivering 15 non-commercial studies to time and target within 18 months. This has led to awards, grants and strong relationships with other local practices.

Most recently, they have become the hub of a hub-and-spoke model for Meridian PCN, aiming to recruit from the other practices: Bourn, Comberton, Harston, Roysia and Orchard. This distributed geography across the west and south of Cambridge has an exciting mix of rural, urban, socio-economic and minority ethnic communities, who are both keen and needed to participate in research. We have a strong ethos for diversity, equity and inclusion in our research and this is supported by Dr Modi founding and chairing the inequalities research network at the University of Cambridge.

We work closely with the Regional Research Development Network (RRDN) East of England, who have been instrumental in guidance and assistance.

Our plans now are to operationalise our hub-and-spoke model, attract and undertake commercial studies, set up smooth, reliable and feasible systems for the organisations research, and expand our research business. We plan to continue to expand in line with our and the NHS aim for more primary care commercial research. We aim for this to help us improve and protect the wellbeing of Cambourne.

Your role will be funded by the PCN cluster contract for 1 year, and employment will be tied to the existence of the role within the PCN cluster contract. This contract allows for the employment of a research administrator, research nurse and a research co-ordinator (the latter for one year).

Job summary

This is a one year post to build up a research organisation and create a thriving business. It is an opportunity for you to join a dynamic and growing research organisation with ambitions for becoming a nationally and internationally reputable site to deliver commercial and non-commercial research. You will be involved in making decisions, leading projects and strategy with the research lead/GP partner, and contributing your ideas for growth within a small, creative and hard-working team. You will also be encouraged to develop and train your skills for research and leadership.

As a research coordinator, you will be instrumental in overseeing the entire research process from attracting studies, ensuring we are capable of delivering, and being responsible for delivery and dissemination. You will monitor and improve quality and lead a team in achieving this. You will communicate with the practice team, study teams and patients to ensure smooth administrative running, and help in deciding on studies and the organisational strategy. You will also communicate externally and with sponsors to attract studies and work on our public relations. In this role you will find autonomy and control as well as a close supportive team.

With three days of work at the practice, or flexible working of these hours, and occasional visits to other local sites to support and assess them, you will be embedded in a friendly research and practice team in the convenient location of Cambourne. Some aspects of the work can be undertaken remotely at home with prior agreement with the research lead. With weekly meetings and easy access to the research lead, you will be supported in being embedded within a strong team culture.

The role will be reviewed along with achievements to include finances to decide on any subsequent contract.

Key responsibilities

Undertaking research coordinator activities before, during and after studies to include:

o Coordinate and oversee clinical research studies in line with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and the study protocol

o Oversee research delivery of practices

o Attract research, particularly commercial studies, and ready MMP research to be able to deliver this along with the research lead

o Ensure that the business is financially sound and growing, using cost-benefit analyses and creative problem solving

o Liaise with the research team, GPs, practice staff, research sponsors, patients/participants, carers/advocates where appropriate, and ethics committees to facilitate smooth study conduct

o Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant research regulations, policies, and best practices to include GCP

o Educate and inform patients about research opportunities and procedures.

o Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of research reports, presentations and publications where appropriate

o Work on MMP research and PCN public relations to improve attractiveness and prominence of research in the communities and research world

o Lead audit and quality improvement to continuously monitor and improve performance of MMP research

o Identify relevant studies and escalate for discussion

o Contribute to the selection process of studies at weekly research meetings advising on safety and logistics.

o Chair the practice and PCN research meetings when the research lead is absent

o Communicate regularly, engagingly and clearly to the research lead, research team and, where required, Meridian practice staff and patients.

o Assist with feasibility checks where needed and help to fill in Expressions of Interest for studies if required

o Attend training for studies and fill in appropriate paperwork

o Where needed, undertake searches of SystemOne or other GP systems (training can be provided) for eligible patients and if able, screen their notes for eligibility

o Ensuring mandatory training is up to date to include GCP

o Check and respond to issues, where escalated to you, with the research equipment to include the fridges and freezers for research. This will include checking stock dates, sharing this with the health care assistant/phlebotomist

o Assisting the research lead with ad hoc requests where relevant

o Occasional visits, where other staff are deemed unsuitable, to assist or assess PCN practice sites, and to undertake outreach study delivery to improve access to research

o Attend research meetings in the practice, PCN and beyond where relevant

o Escalate any safety concerns or incidents related to research, or the practice if relevant

o Any other duties as required in keeping with a post of this nature and as the organisation matures

o Assisting in growing and consolidating MMP research to ensure expansion, business growth, financial health and smooth running.

o To ensure good public relations and relationships with sponsors to help attract studies

o Complying and upholding good research and corporate governance where applicable

o Being responsible as any staff member, for safeguarding, its policies and training.

o Ensuring consistently high standards of patient/participant service is delivered with high satisfaction

o Upholding our values and statement and undertake to avoid any reputational harm to MMP or MMP research

o Upholding statutory and NHS principles on data governance, ethics and equity, diversity and inclusion.

MMPs Mission Statement

Improving and protecting the wellbeing of Cambourne.

MMPs Core values

Openness

Honesty

Fairness

Respect

Responsibility

Approachability

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential

• Clear understanding and embodiment of these
• Understanding of the importance of patient confidentiality and the
• consequences of breaking confidentiality
• Experience of working on a confidential basis in an office environment
• Degree in scientific discipline or equivalent qualification or experience
• Evidence of appropriate level DBS
• GCP certificate up to date
• Evidence of up to date immunisation/proof to allow handling of samples to include varicella and MMR (see Green Book chapter 12)
• Evidence of up to date mandatory training for nurses to include adult and child safeguarding, information governance, infection control and DBS.
• At least two years experience in clinical research and management of this, or in research governance, NHS R&D.
• Experience of being involved in delivering commercial studies
• Significant knowledge of clinical research infrastructure in the UK and related legislation and regulation
• Experience of some autonomous practice and having been responsible for a project
• Experience of audit, quality improvement or monitoring systems
• Proficient in using MS Packages and databases
• Experience of using at least one research database or software package
• Knowledge of research methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with both staff and customers/patients/participants
• Ability to remain calm, polite and professional
• Excellent team working skills
• Aptitude in leadership, management and motivation
• Ability to work accurately and
• methodically following verbal and written instructions
• Good at projecting a positive image, networking and able to attract stakeholders to the business
• Ability to accurately receive, record and relay information both verbally and in writing through production of documentation and data entry
• Ability to store and retrieve files from numerical, alphabetical and computerised filing
• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all
• individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and professional relationships with patients/participants
• Positive and enthusiastic and able to transmit this to others
• Effective role model
• Demonstrates personal accountability and responsibility for their area of work to include involvement in safety reporting
• Able to work flexibly according to team or organisational demands
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational ability
• Keen to expand a business and research
• Excellent time-management skills
• Problem Solving ability

Desirable

• Research courses and/or qualifications at post graduate level
• Leadership or management qualifications
• Training in interpreting contractual agreements
• Experience of project management
• Experience in reviewing legal documentation
• Experience in contracts
• Experience in negotiation
• Good report writing skills
• Able to interpret terms of contracts and negotiate changes
• Experience of handling difficult conversations or complaints
• A particular interest in increasing diverse recruitment to studies
• Able to support other staff empathically and professionally

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Monkfield Medical Practice

Address

Monkfield Medical Practice

Sackville Way

Great Cambourne

Cambridge

CB23 6HL

Employer's website

https://www.monkfieldpractice.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)