Job summary
The role of a Research and Development Officer at the Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory (SMTL), part of NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP), is a dynamic and impactful position that supports the Welsh NHS through innovative research and development (R&D) investigations into medical devices.
In this role, you'll be at the forefront of enhancing patient care and healthcare worker safety by conducting evidence reviews and providing technical assurance.
You'll conduct research by collaborating with healthcare workers, health economists, other researchers, device manufacturers, and regulatory authorities.
Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to disseminate your research through publications, presentations, and web articles, providing valuable information and advice to healthcare workers on medical device issues
This role requires a proactive and organized individual who can coordinate and participate in research activities and device evaluations within Wales, including human factors, health economics, statistics, usability research, and NHS clinical evaluations. You'll be responsible for ensuring that R&D projects meet mutually agreed specifications and targets, and you'll play a key role in planning and organizing meetings with a diverse group of professionals.
If you're enthusiastic, passionate, and committed to making a positive difference, this role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of healthcare in Wales.
Main duties of the job
- Supports the Welsh NHS by performing research and development (R&D) investigations into medical devices, including evidence reviews and providing technical assurance.
- Works closely with NWSSP Procurement, ensuring necessary support material is available for meetings and contracts.
- Writes and submits grant applications for SMTL research projects, project plans and proposals for commercial projects.
- Conducts research by regularly meeting and working with health care workers (HCWs), health economists, other researchers, device manufacturers and regulatory authorities as well as examining information such as technical reports, publications and regulations.
- Conducts research and writes papers for journal publication.
- Disseminates research via publications, presentations and web articles. Provides information and advice to HCWs regarding medical device issues which affect HCW safety and patient care.
- Participates actively in a range of Welsh and National groups, such as the NWSSP Procurement Services subgroups and Clinical Academic Groups (CAGs). Liaises with UK agencies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as necessary.
- Coordinates and participates in research activities and device evaluations within Wales as required, including human factors, health economics, statistics, usability research and NHS clinical evaluations.
About us
At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating.
Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people.
Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers.
Offering a comprehensive benefits package, there is something for everyone. To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process please visit https://nwssp.nhs.wales/working-for-us/
NWSSP work in an agile way where possible, all posts will have a contractual base but as part of agile ways of working that may mean working from home and other locations. We also look at how we balance flexibility with community, and how to manage opportunities to learn from each other.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Undergraduate science honours degree and post graduate qualification in relevant scientific discipline (MSc or equivalent level)
- Good general scientific knowledge
Desirable
- Knowledge of health economics
- A general understanding of statistical analysis
- Wide knowledge and understanding of a range of medical devices and their clinical usage.
Experience
Essential
- Report writing experience
- Experience of writing literature reviews of scientific papers
- Experience in the analysis of and interpretation of scientific data
- Experience and knowledge of undertaking critical appraisals of evidence and research from scientific publications, manufacturers and HCWs
- Scientific research experience in the medical field
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking meta-analyses
- Experience of writing scientific/medical reports and/or publications
- Aware of and able to interpret advice from the Department of Health (DoH), MHRA, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding device efficacy and safety.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Good scientific/medical writing skills
- Good communication skills
- Good computer/word processing skills
- Good organisational skills
- Self-motivated to manage own tasks
- Excellent interpersonal skills and able to articulate oneself.
- Enthusiastic, passionate and committed to making a positive difference to the organisation.
- Ability to function both as a team player and self-motivator.
- Ability to develop relationships and establish consensus with a variety of colleagues within and external to NWSSP.
- Able to maintain concentration for long periods of time
- Competent at meeting deadlines
- Able to effectively extract important information from large amounts of data
- Ability to work at a desk for long periods of time
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills in speaking, reading and writing
- Experience in statistical analysis
Other
Essential
- Ability to access transport (public and/or private) to travel off site for meetings (as appropriate) throughout Wales and other parts of the UK
- Deliver excellent customer service to our internal and external customers, helping us to maintain the customer service excellence standard
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Undergraduate science honours degree and post graduate qualification in relevant scientific discipline (MSc or equivalent level)
- Good general scientific knowledge
Desirable
- Knowledge of health economics
- A general understanding of statistical analysis
- Wide knowledge and understanding of a range of medical devices and their clinical usage.
Experience
Essential
- Report writing experience
- Experience of writing literature reviews of scientific papers
- Experience in the analysis of and interpretation of scientific data
- Experience and knowledge of undertaking critical appraisals of evidence and research from scientific publications, manufacturers and HCWs
- Scientific research experience in the medical field
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking meta-analyses
- Experience of writing scientific/medical reports and/or publications
- Aware of and able to interpret advice from the Department of Health (DoH), MHRA, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding device efficacy and safety.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Good scientific/medical writing skills
- Good communication skills
- Good computer/word processing skills
- Good organisational skills
- Self-motivated to manage own tasks
- Excellent interpersonal skills and able to articulate oneself.
- Enthusiastic, passionate and committed to making a positive difference to the organisation.
- Ability to function both as a team player and self-motivator.
- Ability to develop relationships and establish consensus with a variety of colleagues within and external to NWSSP.
- Able to maintain concentration for long periods of time
- Competent at meeting deadlines
- Able to effectively extract important information from large amounts of data
- Ability to work at a desk for long periods of time
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills in speaking, reading and writing
- Experience in statistical analysis
Other
Essential
- Ability to access transport (public and/or private) to travel off site for meetings (as appropriate) throughout Wales and other parts of the UK
- Deliver excellent customer service to our internal and external customers, helping us to maintain the customer service excellence standard
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).
