Job summary
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Clinical Research Practitioner / Team Lead for the Early Phase Research Team.
We are looking for candidates interested in building a career in research in one of the biggest haematology and oncology research teams in London. After completing a fully comprehensive induction package you will find yourself leading the co-ordination and set-up of a portfolio of clinical trials, identifying and recruiting trial patients, collecting and reporting data and supporting patients and their carers throughout treatment. Successful candidates will be excellent communicators with an eye for detail and a commitment to improving patient choices, care and outcomes.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be leading and managing a team of clinical research delivery staff and a portfolio of research studies with the responsibility for delivering high quality research and clinical care.
This role will be a mix of clinical and managerial and the post holder will be required to effectively manage his or her time to fulfil key responsibilities such as reviewing protocols, identifying resource implications, actively participating in meetings, proposing action plans for poor recruiting studies, training, supporting and mentoring other members of staff, leading on service development and contributing to the research business plan, whilst autonomously managing a caseload of participants. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring excellence in research delivery and participant experience.
About us
As part of Kings Health Partners, the Oncology and Haematology Clinical Trials (OHCT) team is made up of fifty plus staff members consisting of Research Nurses, Clinical Trial Practitioners, Clinical Trial Coordinators and the Safety & Support Team at Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
We work closely with the oncology and haematology medical teams to recruit patients to our trials and to ensure patients are monitored closely throughout. We have a large portfolio of Phase II and III trials; which are split into teams for specific tumour groups. We also have a team dedicated to early phase trials and run weekly early phase clinics in the Clinical Research Facility. We attract commercial and non-commercial trials, ranging from interventional drug or radiotherapy trials to observational studies.
Our mission statement is 'Improving treatment choice, clinical care and outcomes for cancer patients through innovation, dedication and excellence in clinical trials'.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work autonomously to manage a large caseload of participants acting as a professional in ensuring a duty of care to the participants and their families.
Work within relevant regulations and ICH GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation and Good Clinical Practice) ensuring that the clinical research protocol is adhered to at all times.
Devise, implement and evaluate strategies to identify eligible participants for research studies, including by attending clinics, departments, screening notes/consultant referral and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings. Support less experienced team members to implement those strategies.
Coordinate the research participant pathway from screening through to study closure.
Actively work to achieve study accrual targets including engaging with the research team and clinical teams to overcome barriers to participant enrolment.
Liaise with the clinical team to organise and ensure that study specific investigations are undertaken according to the protocol, obtain and document the results.
Deal with concerns raised by participants and visitors in a proactive manner and take appropriate remedial action as necessary.
Review study protocols and identify resource implications for the site.
Liaise with Clinical Trial Set Up staff to help assist in the set-up of commercial trials on site.
Supervise the research team in the collation of data generated from clinical studies.
Monitor patient recruitment and data collection week by week, reviewing recruitment figures and alerting the lead research staff and Principal Investigators to any problems with recruitment.
Act as a role model for excellence in research delivery
Lead and support the team acting as an expert resource, demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and perspective.
- Motivate, develop, support and identify training needs for department staff and take a proactive role in the department training programme
- Undertake performance review and management and act on identified development needs to maintain high levels of performance and quality within the team.
- Act always in a manner which, promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work autonomously to manage a large caseload of participants acting as a professional in ensuring a duty of care to the participants and their families.
Work within relevant regulations and ICH GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation and Good Clinical Practice) ensuring that the clinical research protocol is adhered to at all times.
Devise, implement and evaluate strategies to identify eligible participants for research studies, including by attending clinics, departments, screening notes/consultant referral and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings. Support less experienced team members to implement those strategies.
Coordinate the research participant pathway from screening through to study closure.
Actively work to achieve study accrual targets including engaging with the research team and clinical teams to overcome barriers to participant enrolment.
Liaise with the clinical team to organise and ensure that study specific investigations are undertaken according to the protocol, obtain and document the results.
Deal with concerns raised by participants and visitors in a proactive manner and take appropriate remedial action as necessary.
Review study protocols and identify resource implications for the site.
Liaise with Clinical Trial Set Up staff to help assist in the set-up of commercial trials on site.
Supervise the research team in the collation of data generated from clinical studies.
Monitor patient recruitment and data collection week by week, reviewing recruitment figures and alerting the lead research staff and Principal Investigators to any problems with recruitment.
Act as a role model for excellence in research delivery
Lead and support the team acting as an expert resource, demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and perspective.
- Motivate, develop, support and identify training needs for department staff and take a proactive role in the department training programme
- Undertake performance review and management and act on identified development needs to maintain high levels of performance and quality within the team.
- Act always in a manner which, promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to deal with complex and sensitive situations.
- Basic knowledge of recent NHS legislation relevant to specialist areas
- In depth understanding of research methodologies
- Ability to lead, teach, supervise and mentor others in relation to all aspects of clinical research delivery
- Awareness of changing trends in healthcare
Desirable
Previous experience
Essential
- Significant experience in clinical research delivery including managing own portfolio of studies.
- Substantial experience relevant to speciality
- Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships
- Experience mentoring, developing and supervising junior staff in clinical setting
- Experience in service development
Desirable
- Demonstrable managerial / team lead experience
- Experience of change management
Qualifications
Essential
- Demonstrable theoretical knowledge equivalent to masters/NVQ Level 7 qualification in life sciences or related field
- GCP certificate
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Teaching experience
Desirable
- Post graduate teaching qualification
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to deal with complex and sensitive situations.
- Basic knowledge of recent NHS legislation relevant to specialist areas
- In depth understanding of research methodologies
- Ability to lead, teach, supervise and mentor others in relation to all aspects of clinical research delivery
- Awareness of changing trends in healthcare
Desirable
Previous experience
Essential
- Significant experience in clinical research delivery including managing own portfolio of studies.
- Substantial experience relevant to speciality
- Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships
- Experience mentoring, developing and supervising junior staff in clinical setting
- Experience in service development
Desirable
- Demonstrable managerial / team lead experience
- Experience of change management
Qualifications
Essential
- Demonstrable theoretical knowledge equivalent to masters/NVQ Level 7 qualification in life sciences or related field
- GCP certificate
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Teaching experience
Desirable
- Post graduate teaching qualification
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).
