Job summary
The Department of Twins Research team is seeking a highly motivated person to join their group as a Assistant Clinical Research Practitioner with experience and knowledge of working in an NHS/University research environment, along with experience of working with participants involved in multiple, large, complex studies.
Post holder will be expected to describe the studies and obtain fully informed consent from participants ensuring that any research undertaken within the department, safeguards the well-being of the participants and is conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP). They will be expected to carry out a range of clinical assessments in line with accepted standards of practice and be competent in some clinical skills including venepuncture and cannulation.
Post holder will be required to interact & engage with participants throughout the study period, answer any questions and liaise withmultidisciplinary teams, therefore must have a professional approach to work and will be expected show initiative and work well as part of a team.Excellent communication skills are essential and the role requires the ability to work both independently and with others to inspire trust &confidence.
Much of the role will be conducted via clinics within GSTT, however flexibility with time and adaptability to different environments will be necessary to meet study requirements.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early dependent on interest
Main duties of the job
Acting as patient and participant advocate at all times, the post holder will be expected to coordinate research and organise study related care. They will identify strategies to find and assist in the enrolment of research participants. The post-holder will perform tasks in line with accepted standards of practice. They will communicate effectively with the study and clinical teams to ensure good participant experience and adherence to study protocols. The post holder will be responsible for data completion, site file management and maintenance of databases. They will be responsible for ordering study supplies. The post holder will ensure the well-being of participants by adhering to relevant regulations and local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations, Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care and the Human Tissue Act.
About us
TwinsUK is the UK's largest adult twin registry and the most clinically detailed in the world. Professor Tim Spector from King's College London set up the cohort in 1992 to investigate the incidence of osteoporosis and other rheumatologic diseases in several hundred monozygotic (identical) twins. We now have over 15,000 identical and non-identical twins from across the UK, with ages between eighteen and one hundred and our research has expanded to include multiple diseases and conditions.
There are excellent opportunities for professional and personal development as part of this role, with access to some CPD funding. We 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 and clinical skills are available and actively encouraged.
The usual working hours for the post are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, although the post holder may need to be flexible to accommodate participants visits and assessments outside of these hours occasionally.
TwinsUK aims to investigate the genetic and environmental basis of a range of complex diseases and conditions. Current research includes the genetics of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, the musculoskeletal system, ageing, sight as well as how the microbiome affects human health. The TwinsUK cohort is now probably the most genotyped and phenotyped in the world.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide excellent customer care skills to ensure patients and participants come first.
- Work within relevant regulations and ICH GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation and Good Clinical Practice) ensuring that the study protocol is adhered to at all times.
- Co-ordinate a portfolio of studies in conjunction with team members. This involves planning and organising study related care or tests in accordance with approved study protocols or departmental standard operating procedures.
- Establish strategies for recruiting participants into clinical studies and identify individuals potentially eligible for research studies.
- Gain permissions for research contacts.
- For specific studies post holder may be delegated to obtain consent from participants in line with Trust policy and research protocol.
- Organise appointments and conduct telephone follow-up calls as required.
- Report any adverse events or health concerns which occur whilst the participant is taking part in the study, to an appropriate doctor or nurse in a timely manner and to the appropriate principal or co-investigator.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role and its requirements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide excellent customer care skills to ensure patients and participants come first.
- Work within relevant regulations and ICH GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation and Good Clinical Practice) ensuring that the study protocol is adhered to at all times.
- Co-ordinate a portfolio of studies in conjunction with team members. This involves planning and organising study related care or tests in accordance with approved study protocols or departmental standard operating procedures.
- Establish strategies for recruiting participants into clinical studies and identify individuals potentially eligible for research studies.
- Gain permissions for research contacts.
- For specific studies post holder may be delegated to obtain consent from participants in line with Trust policy and research protocol.
- Organise appointments and conduct telephone follow-up calls as required.
- Report any adverse events or health concerns which occur whilst the participant is taking part in the study, to an appropriate doctor or nurse in a timely manner and to the appropriate principal or co-investigator.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role and its requirements.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 4 or equivalent qualification or qualified to NVQ3 or equivalent plus significant previous experience
- Knowledge of medical terminology
Desirable
- Evidence of education related to clinical research
- Good Clinical Practice training
- Knowledge of mandatory standards for clinical research conduct (including GCP, UK Policy framework for Healthand Social Care research, data protection)
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a healthcare or clinical research role with patient/public communication/coordination duties OR biomedical degree and experience working in a public facing role
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experiences using database systems
Desirable
- Experience performing basic clinical tasks such as clinical observations (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature)
- Experience of caring for patients/participants in a professional setting
- Experience of working on clinical trials or drugs, therapies or interventions
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate well (written and verbally) with clear and legible handwriting
- Able to work in a multidisciplinary team and on own initiative
- Ability to co-ordinate collection of data in line with SOPs and to agreed timescales
- Ability to understand and comply with research protocols and departmental procedures and report difficulties and exceptions to senior staff
- Ability to manage priorities under pressure; flexible and adaptable approach to work
- IT skills, specifically in database management, microsoft and REDCap
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to perform venepuncture and cannulation
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 4 or equivalent qualification or qualified to NVQ3 or equivalent plus significant previous experience
- Knowledge of medical terminology
Desirable
- Evidence of education related to clinical research
- Good Clinical Practice training
- Knowledge of mandatory standards for clinical research conduct (including GCP, UK Policy framework for Healthand Social Care research, data protection)
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a healthcare or clinical research role with patient/public communication/coordination duties OR biomedical degree and experience working in a public facing role
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experiences using database systems
Desirable
- Experience performing basic clinical tasks such as clinical observations (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature)
- Experience of caring for patients/participants in a professional setting
- Experience of working on clinical trials or drugs, therapies or interventions
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate well (written and verbally) with clear and legible handwriting
- Able to work in a multidisciplinary team and on own initiative
- Ability to co-ordinate collection of data in line with SOPs and to agreed timescales
- Ability to understand and comply with research protocols and departmental procedures and report difficulties and exceptions to senior staff
- Ability to manage priorities under pressure; flexible and adaptable approach to work
- IT skills, specifically in database management, microsoft and REDCap
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to perform venepuncture and cannulation
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).
