Clinical Research Fellow - Lymphoma

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe Christie Lymphoma Team provides expert treatment for patients with a wide range of lymphoma subtypes. Level 2-4 specialist care is provided for the Southern sector of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer network (GMCCN) (population 900,000). Close clinical collaboration exists between The Christie and the other Haematology Departments of the South sector of the GMCC Network: Macclesfield District General Hospital and Stepping Hill Hospital. Through the weekly sector MDT, virtually hosted at Christie, all newly diagnosed and relapsing lymphoma patients are discussed and all patients requiring level 2-4 therapy are referred to The Christie. There are also longstanding referral pathways from Lancashire, North Staffordshire, Chester and North Wales. In addition, the team works closely with the haematology transplant unit to provide tertiary care for stem cell transplantation to the wider North West of England and Wales (population 6 million+).

Main Duties:

1. Research: This post has a major research component. It is anticipated that the post holder will have an active role as sub-investigator in a diverse portfolio of early-phase clinical trials. The appointee will be encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new research projects under the supervision of consultant colleagues. The fellow will also be given the opportunity to participate in the NIHR Associate PI scheme. It is anticipated that there will be significant outputs in terms of trial activity and research publications, presentations and attendance at national and international meetings, as well as contributions to clinical audit and quality improvement projects.

The post will involve close liaison with other members of the multidisciplinary team, working closely with and supporting the consultants, specialist registrars, clinical research nurses, other specialist nurses, and clinical trial coordinators as required. He/she will also build strong collaborative links with the ECMT so that patients can be transferred between the two teams according to the availability of relevant studies/trials. This will facilitate rapid clinical decision making, an increase in number of early-phase trials, increased recruitment of patients into new and existing lymphoma research protocols, improved clinical outcomes, a streamlined patient journey and sharing of best practice and educational opportunities.

2. Clinical Management: To work closely with and support the Consultants and other members of the Lymphoma multidisciplinary team at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, to manage patients taking part in clinical research protocols. The post holder will facilitate the continued development of clinically relevant, evidence-based protocols.

3. Clinics: Attendance at clinics held on Monday and Friday mornings and Wednesday mornings for management of trial patients (Oak Road Treatment Centre, Haematology Out-Patient/Day Unit and Main Outpatient clinics). This will include discussions with patients about clinical trial options, explaining specific protocol requirements, obtaining consent, supervision of screening, assessment of eligibility, prescribing study treatment and liaising appropriately with pharmacy, organising protocol-mandated and other investigations, assessment of response and toxicity. Involvement with non-trial patients will also be expected as required, under the direction of Prof Linton and Dr Phillips.

4. MDT: Attendance for trial patients (weekly Southern sector MDT at The Christie)

5. Trial Protocols: They will be expected to undertake routine administrative duties associated with the care of their patients in accordance with the trial protocol, GCP and under the supervision of the Chief/Principal Investigator. This will include timely annotation on the electronic patient record system (via the Christie Clinical Web Portal), dictation of letters using the E-Pro electronic dictation system and making phone calls to GPs and referring specialists.

6. Professional Development: They will maintain a level of Continuing Professional Development consistent with the recommendations of the Royal Colleges. There may be an opportunity to participate in Oncology MRes programmes provided by the University of Manchester and/or apply for national/international clinical research training schemes (such as the ECMC JING Training the Next Generation or EHA clinical research schemes). Appropriate arrangements for study leave will be made in conjunction with colleagues. Funding arrangements for educational development, administered by the Clinical Director, are available for the support of study leave and is managed within the Trust Guidelines.

7. Teaching Commitment:

UndergraduateThe appointee will be required to contribute to the undergraduate teaching of medical students on lymphoma-related topics. The undergraduate teaching commitment will amount to at most to the equivalent of one session per month.

PostgraduateThe Unit has a busy postgraduate teaching program and staff members are often requested to teach on lymphoma and oncology-related topics. This may amount to at most one session per 3 months.

Junior Staff in TrainingThe post holder will also be expected to help in the training of nursing and multi-disciplinary staff in both in-patient and outpatient departments.

8. Clinical Governance: The post-holder will be expected to participate in all relevant aspects of clinical governance, including maintaining up to date protocols, guidelines and clinical audit, under the supervision of the other consultants in the unit.

9. Audit: As a member of the Christie Hospital Medical Staff Committee, the appointee will play a full role in clinical audit and quality improvement program.

Continuing Professional DevelopmentThe Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

Role PlanningMedical Oncology Lymphoma Clinic Schedule

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

0830

Main outpatient clinic

Research/admin

Early-phase trial clinic

Consultant ward round (optional)

Education/ audit meeting (0800; monthly)

Trial patients /admin

Main outpatient clinic

1330

Research

SpR procedure list (1400; optional)

Research

New patient lymphoma clinic (optional)

Clinical research meeting (1300-1400)

Lymphoma Southern Sector MDT (1400-1530)

Follow-up clinic (optional)/ education

Proposed Job Plan

CLINICAL Notional half-days

Outpatients/research clinics 3.0Administration 1.0Emergencies and on call 0.5/1Research/Audit/Education 4.5/5.0

On call CommitmentsThis role does not require participation in the on-call rota. The post-holder will have the option to undertake on-call as part of the Medical Oncology rota, but it is not mandatory. This will have to be agreed with the clinical director, rota organiser and The Christie School of Oncology.

Qualifications

Essential

• MRCP or equivalent
• GMC registration

Training

Essential

• ICH GCP Training

Management / Audit

Desirable

• Evidence of participation in clinical audit

Domicile

Essential

• Within 30 minutes travel time to the hospital

Research / Publications

Essential

• The ability to contribute to an active research group

Desirable

• Recent publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Evidence of ethical research relevant to lymphoma, oncology or acute medicine

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years' clinical practice, with experience in Medical/Clinical Oncology and/or Haemato-oncology
• Experience as an investigator on clinical trials

Desirable

• 3 years' experience in Medical/Clinical Oncology and/or Haemato-oncology

Teaching

Desirable

• Experience in teaching medical students and other health professionals

Personal skills

Essential

• Evidence of clinical leadership skills
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Capacity for staff motivation
• Reliable work record

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).