Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Senior Assistant Practitioner post within the Neuro-Oncology research team.
Ideally the postholder should have previous clinical research experience in the field of cancer would be helpful. To be educated to degree level, you will work within the guidelines and policies for the conduct of clinical trials, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with the principles of GCP.
The successful applicant should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently. In addition; excellent communication, administrative and IT skills and being supportive and open to new initiatives are particularly valued by the team.
The successWhat's in it for you?
o Opportunities to develop your clinical and research skills.o Continuous on-going learning with internal and external courses available.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will primarily work under the supervision of the Senior Research Nurses or Lead Research Nurse within the Neuro-oncology team at Sutton. The Senior Assistant Practitioner (SAP) is an essential and valued member of the team appointed to support registered nurses in the delivery of care to patients participating in Neuro-oncology clinical trials.
The post holder will also be autonomous in their workload and responsible for recruiting to and coordinating an agreed portfolio of non-interventional research projects inclusive of biological sample processing (training will be provided). Responsibilities will include day to day management under direct and indirect supervision of experienced research staff, identifying patients through MDTs (multi-disciplinary teams)/screening notes, explaining certain studies to patients prior to informed consent, collecting 'on treatment' and 'follow-up' data, designing databases for local studies and/or completing data entry where needed, and liaising with external trial centres for multi-centre studies. The post holder may also be delegated to assist with Quality-of-Life questionnaires (paper or electronic) and associated data collection, through discussion with patients.
The SAP will work closely with the multi-disciplinary team including medical staff, research nurses and coordinators, site-specific teams and oncology groups, clinical nurse specialists, clinic staff and radiographers for various research studies.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
2.1 Develop tumour site-specific knowledge in order to enhance practice.
2.2 To perform specific interventions as identified by competency achievement to enhance the delivery of care, such as venepuncture, cannulation and biological specimen processing and to be aware of own competency limitations.
2.3 Provide support and reassurance to patients, referring them to the appropriate units or team members as necessary.
2.4 To consistently adhere to requirements to protect patients rights, dignity and confidentiality throughout their treatment.
2.5 Work autonomously screening patients suitability for entry into non-interventional research studies, by attending MDTs or clinics, liaising with medical personnel or searching patient case notes exercising judgment and knowledge of trial eligibility criteria.
2.6 Liaise with relevant trial patients directly, maintaining adequate study records and ensuring all relevant information is documented in the patients medical and nursing notes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
2.1 Develop tumour site-specific knowledge in order to enhance practice.
2.2 To perform specific interventions as identified by competency achievement to enhance the delivery of care, such as venepuncture, cannulation and biological specimen processing and to be aware of own competency limitations.
2.3 Provide support and reassurance to patients, referring them to the appropriate units or team members as necessary.
2.4 To consistently adhere to requirements to protect patients rights, dignity and confidentiality throughout their treatment.
2.5 Work autonomously screening patients suitability for entry into non-interventional research studies, by attending MDTs or clinics, liaising with medical personnel or searching patient case notes exercising judgment and knowledge of trial eligibility criteria.
2.6 Liaise with relevant trial patients directly, maintaining adequate study records and ensuring all relevant information is documented in the patients medical and nursing notes.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- A Levels/ BTEC in relevant subjects
- Degree or Foundation Degree in Science or Health & Social Care, or equivalent qualification
- National Care Certificate
Desirable
- Post registration oncology qualification or equivalent relevant qualification
Experience
Essential
- Proven healthcare or patient facing experience.
- Experience of research and development, science or health and social care
- Experience in data management, data collection and data entry in clinical trials or healthcare
- Evidence of completing specific competencies for the role (ECG, height and weight, observations, blood sampling, and tissue handling)
Desirable
- Experience in dealing with Oncology patients.
- Experience and involvement in the informed consent process.
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of common medical terms and conditions, hospital departments and research staff roles
- Excellent communication skills and ability to facilitate collaborative working relationships
- Ability to work autonomously and within multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload, with good attention to detail
- Computer literate in Microsoft outlook, office, word, excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to cope with emotional demands of working in oncology setting
Desirable
- Knowledge of cancer terminology
- Understanding of psychosocial needs of oncology patients
- Knowledge and understanding of research methods
- Patient assessment skills
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- A Levels/ BTEC in relevant subjects
- Degree or Foundation Degree in Science or Health & Social Care, or equivalent qualification
- National Care Certificate
Desirable
- Post registration oncology qualification or equivalent relevant qualification
Experience
Essential
- Proven healthcare or patient facing experience.
- Experience of research and development, science or health and social care
- Experience in data management, data collection and data entry in clinical trials or healthcare
- Evidence of completing specific competencies for the role (ECG, height and weight, observations, blood sampling, and tissue handling)
Desirable
- Experience in dealing with Oncology patients.
- Experience and involvement in the informed consent process.
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of common medical terms and conditions, hospital departments and research staff roles
- Excellent communication skills and ability to facilitate collaborative working relationships
- Ability to work autonomously and within multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload, with good attention to detail
- Computer literate in Microsoft outlook, office, word, excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to cope with emotional demands of working in oncology setting
Desirable
- Knowledge of cancer terminology
- Understanding of psychosocial needs of oncology patients
- Knowledge and understanding of research methods
- Patient assessment skills
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
