Job summary
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Research Support Facilitator to join our team in advancing clinical research across Herefordshire and surrounding areas.
This pivotal role supports the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred research by coordinating the administrative processes that enable studies to open swiftly and safely. Acting as the first point of contact for researchers, you will liaise with Sponsors, Clinical Trials Units, and clinical teams to assess feasibility, arrange study set-up, and confirm capacity and capability. Guided by our values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, you will help ensure research is accessible, relevant, and contributes to improving patient care.
Main duties of the job
Coordinate the feasibility, set-up, and delivery of clinical research studies across the Trust.
Administer the Assessment, Arrangement, and Confirmation of Capacity and Capability for new studies.
Act as the primary point of contact for Sponsors, Clinical Trials Units, and internal research teams.
Organise and facilitate Site Selection and Site Initiation meetings with clinical and support staff.
Maintain accurate study records and timelines using EDGE and other Trust systems.
Process trial amendments and manage study documentation in line with regulatory standards.
Provide guidance and support on research governance processes including IRAS, HRA approvals, and Research Passports.
Develop and improve Standard Operating Procedures for research administration.
Train and support staff involved in research, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities.
Produce reports and data summaries to support strategic planning and performance monitoring.
About us
Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South WarwickshireUniversity NHS FT, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospitals Trust.
Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.
We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care wed want for our family and friends.
More than 3,000 people work for the Trust they tell us its a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.
We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.
Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: "The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential."
Our values -Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached job description and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in a science, research, or management-related field, or appropriate experience working in Research Governance within the NHS
Desirable
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to understand clinical trial protocols, and identify potential difficulties that may impact on the Trust's ability to deliver research.
- Detailed understanding and application of clinical trials regulations and research governance policies
- Knowledge and understanding of the UK research landscape including HRA and NIHR.
- Knowledge and understanding of NIHR systems and processes, including NCVR, Model Agreements and Research Passports.
- Ability to populate and interrogate data platforms; to extract, interpret and communicate data in a variety of formats for a range of audiences.
- Ability to understand and communicate complex information to a range of internal and external audiences.
- Problem solving skills, and ability to analyse where processes have failed and propose corrections.
- Provide advice and guidance to staff on research governance processes.
- Organise and manage effective meetings with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff to plan for feasibility and research delivery.
- Propose changes to improve the effectiveness of the research and development service
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures, guidance and procedures for own work area.
- Experience of working in a research environment (NHS, University of industry)
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Utilise persuasive skills, tact and diplomacy to overcome challenges.
- Able to work within a team, and understand own role, working on own initiative
- Excellent organisational skills, with high level of attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to motivate, persuade, negotiate and influence others
- Ability to prioritise and manage own and others' time effectively
- Willingness to undertake personal development and learn new skills
Other Factors
Essential
- Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of post
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a research environment (NHS, University of industry)
Desirable
- Experience of working within a clinical research setting
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in a science, research, or management-related field, or appropriate experience working in Research Governance within the NHS
Desirable
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to understand clinical trial protocols, and identify potential difficulties that may impact on the Trust's ability to deliver research.
- Detailed understanding and application of clinical trials regulations and research governance policies
- Knowledge and understanding of the UK research landscape including HRA and NIHR.
- Knowledge and understanding of NIHR systems and processes, including NCVR, Model Agreements and Research Passports.
- Ability to populate and interrogate data platforms; to extract, interpret and communicate data in a variety of formats for a range of audiences.
- Ability to understand and communicate complex information to a range of internal and external audiences.
- Problem solving skills, and ability to analyse where processes have failed and propose corrections.
- Provide advice and guidance to staff on research governance processes.
- Organise and manage effective meetings with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff to plan for feasibility and research delivery.
- Propose changes to improve the effectiveness of the research and development service
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures, guidance and procedures for own work area.
- Experience of working in a research environment (NHS, University of industry)
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Utilise persuasive skills, tact and diplomacy to overcome challenges.
- Able to work within a team, and understand own role, working on own initiative
- Excellent organisational skills, with high level of attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to motivate, persuade, negotiate and influence others
- Ability to prioritise and manage own and others' time effectively
- Willingness to undertake personal development and learn new skills
Other Factors
Essential
- Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of post
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a research environment (NHS, University of industry)
Desirable
- Experience of working within a clinical research setting
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.
