Job summary
Would you like to play a key role in the delivery of the most high profile COVID clinical research projects?
COVID-19 research has become the National and Trust priority for clinical research. To manage the new and growing portfolio of studies providing evidence for pandemic management, the Trust established a COVID-19 research team, and now an exciting opportunity has arisen to add another Clinical Trials Laboratory Assistant (CTLA) to our establishment.
You will be joining an enthusiastic, friendly, and motivated multidisciplinary team in a dynamic teaching hospital in central London working across multiple areas to deliver COVID -19 research as well as an evolving portfolio of vaccine and treatment trials to a high standard.
Closing date: 28th August 2023 at midnight
Interview will be held via MS Teams. The provisional interview date is the 14th September 2023.
Main duties of the job
If you have experience processing in a laboratory and are interested inclinical research then this role might be for you!
The post holder will undertake study specific training, supporting the preparation, processing, storage and shipping of research samples. The main laboratories you will work in are Containment level 2. The Clinical Trials Laboratory Assistant (CTLA) will work closely with diverse research teams to manage the flow of work coming through the sample preparation laboratories, ensuring that work is carried out in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with all relevant standards (eg SOP's, policies, GCP etc.). You will receive samples from research participants and will be responsible for the timely processing and transfer of them. You will not be performing any analysis, all sample work is pre-analytical only.
You will work closely with the COVID Research Laboratory Team, Research Nurses, Clinical Research Practitioners and Senior Research Staff to ensure a safe and high quality level of care for our patients and their families or carers.
About us
The R&D Department at Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) is one of the focal points for innovative research in London through its nationally recognised research portfolio and research infrastructure. We are systems leaders in NHS research with strong strategic partnerships across the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and the Health Research Authority (HRA) and are active members of the organisations such as the Shelford Group, University Hospitals Association (previously AUKUH) and UKRD. Research is a top priority for the Trust which in 2021/22 was the top NHS organisation nationally for the number of NIHR portfolio studies open (417) and was the top recruiting organisation in South London (third nationally) recruiting over 19,000 participants into NIHR portfolio studies. This is approximately over 40% of the total number of participants of research studies within our Local Clinical Research Network in South London. For the financial year 2022/23, the NIHR budget for the R&D Department totalled approximately £25m. We are a the most active research partner in the King's Health Partners Clinical Trials Office for contract commercial clinical trials with 60% of the commercial trials portfolio in 2021/22 lead by the Trust; we also collaborate in the South London NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Applicants must have experience working within a laboratory environment, using centrifuges, pipetting and following processing instructions. Experience in clinical research within the NHS is desirable but not essential especially if you have a willingness to learn & develop. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and have the ability and initiative to work independently, suggest improvements to the team and manage processing a variety of research study samples.
We will provide a comprehensive induction programme and ensure that all staff have tailored, individual personal development plans with support for further training. Opportunities for developing new research/clinical skills are available and actively encouraged. This role will require you to process some COVID-19 positive samples and will entail some cross-site, out of hours and weekend working on occasion as the design of the trials we conduct evolve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Applicants must have experience working within a laboratory environment, using centrifuges, pipetting and following processing instructions. Experience in clinical research within the NHS is desirable but not essential especially if you have a willingness to learn & develop. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and have the ability and initiative to work independently, suggest improvements to the team and manage processing a variety of research study samples.
We will provide a comprehensive induction programme and ensure that all staff have tailored, individual personal development plans with support for further training. Opportunities for developing new research/clinical skills are available and actively encouraged. This role will require you to process some COVID-19 positive samples and will entail some cross-site, out of hours and weekend working on occasion as the design of the trials we conduct evolve.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant education to A Level standard, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Experience in clinical laboratory
Desirable
- Biomedical Science degree
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience handling human biological samples
- Experience following SOPs and work instructions
- Experience using pipettes
- Experience using centrifuge
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in an NHS hospital setting
- Experience working in a Quality System
- Experience of Clinical Research
- Experience of Sample Preparation laboratory
- Experience using sample freezers
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Use of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work systemically and under pressure in a busy environment
Desirable
- Knowledge of Medical Terminology
- Knowledge of GCP
- Knowledge of Dangerous goods regulations
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Act
- Knowledge of Containment level 2 laboratory
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant education to A Level standard, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Experience in clinical laboratory
Desirable
- Biomedical Science degree
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience handling human biological samples
- Experience following SOPs and work instructions
- Experience using pipettes
- Experience using centrifuge
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in an NHS hospital setting
- Experience working in a Quality System
- Experience of Clinical Research
- Experience of Sample Preparation laboratory
- Experience using sample freezers
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Use of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work systemically and under pressure in a busy environment
Desirable
- Knowledge of Medical Terminology
- Knowledge of GCP
- Knowledge of Dangerous goods regulations
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Act
- Knowledge of Containment level 2 laboratory
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
