Research administrator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Monkfield Medical Practice

Monkfield Medical Practice (MMP) is a friendly, modern, forward thinking GP surgery providing primary healthcare to Cambourne. The current patient population is 13,884 and we welcome the growth in our local community. You will be joining a cohesive multi-disciplinary practice team of over 50 clinicians. The research group (MMP Research) is a small and growing team of research lead/GP Partner (Dr Modi, also a researcher at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge), a research administrator, research nurse and research coordinator along with a Health Care Assistant and other clinicians who assist with research. We work closely and positively with Meridian PCN to deliver a range of novel services and pilot programmes, including testing new technology and applications, which highlights our passion for research and discovery.

We are a committed to delivering high quality care, and awareness of research amongst staff is central to this. The team at MMP have worked hard to make our day in General Practice and research rewarding and stimulating. We are a teaching practice taking University of Cambridge Medical Students and we also train GP registrars. A core objective of MMP is to deliver research in an ethical manner and MMP research is responsible for fulfilling this. We are looking for an exciting individual to help us expand the research business.

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 which is renewed annually, 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

JOB TITLE: Research Administrator

LOCATION: Monkfield Medical practice, Sackville House, Cambourne, with occasional visits to other meridian PCN practices

HOURS: 7.5 hours per week

SALARY: £12.70 per hour

CONTRACT: Tied to PCN Cluster contract 12 monthly terms

REPORTING TO: Research lead/GP partner, Relevant Principle Investigators, research co-ordinator

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: MMP research team, MMP practice staff, MMP patients, Meridian PCN management, Meridian PCN practices research leads and research administrators

This is an opportunity 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 have the opportunity to contribute 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.

As a research administrator, you will be instrumental in the whole research delivery process, from assisting in feasibility checks for studies, to administrating the delivery and finalising studies. 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 be key in ensuring finances are assessed in advance, requested and consolidated. You will also help monitor training and compliance records of research staff.

With one day of work at the practice, or flexible working of these hours, and only occasional visits to other local sites, you will be embedded in a friendly research and practice team in the convenient location of Cambourne. With weekly meetings and easy access to the research lead, you will be supported in being embedded within a strong team culture.

Key responsibilities

Undertaking research administration before, during and after studies to include:

o Identifying relevant studies and escalating for discussion

o Contributing to the selection process of studies at weekly research meetings

o Providing updates for research meetings and taking minutes where present

o Working closely with the other research administrator to share and co-ordinate work

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

o Undertaking feasibility checks and helping to fill in Expressions of Interest for studies

o Arranging training and paperwork for set up of studies, ensuring appropriate people complete their roles

o Undertake searches of SystemOne (training can be provided) for eligible patients

o Sending out invitations and consent forms and collecting these and storing securely as appropriate

o Ensuring secure access to research files and curating/maintaining all research files

o Ensuring mandatory training is up to date and if not yet completed, undertake GCP training

o Ensuring research staff training is up to date to include appraisals

o Assisting the research lead and co-ordinator with administrative tasks

o Requesting, chasing, consolidating and recording finances for studies with the assistance of the research co-ordinator. Within this, managing a finance tracker

o Occasional visits, where other staff are deemed unsuitable, to assist or assess PCN practice sites

o Set up research meetings within the team and PCN

o Escalating 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 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 Sending and managing responses from feedback surveys

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

• Understanding and embodiment of these
• Understanding of the importance of patient confidentiality and the
• consequences of breaking confidentiality
• 4 GCSEs or equivalent, including English.
• Proficiency in English language with certification or equivalent evidence if second language
• Evidence of appropriate level DBS
• Evidence of up to date immunisation/proof to allow handling of samples to include varicella and MMR (see Green Book chapter 12)
• At least two years experience of an administrative role in healthcare
• At least one years experience of a patient/customer/participant facing role
• Proficient in using MS Packages and databases
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with both staff and customers/patients/participants
• Ability to remain calm, polite and professional
• Excellent team working skills
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to work accurately and
• methodically following verbal and written instructions
• 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
• Demonstrates personal accountability and responsibility for their area of work to include safety reporting
• Able to work flexibly according to team or organisational demands
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational ability
• Problem Solving ability
• Excellent time management

Desirable

• Experience of working on a confidential basis in a reception / office environment
• GCP training
• Experience of NHS or general practice IT systems
• Administrative qualifications
• Experience of an administrative role in healthcare research either in a health system or in a research institution.
• Experience of research specific IT systems
• Experience in finances and/or financial systems
• Skilled in project management
• 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)