Clinical Research Practitioner

Job overview

The Research Delivery Team at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) are looking for an accredited Band 5 Clinical Research Practitioner to work alongside the existing team of Research Nurses, Clinical Research Practitioner, Research Administrators and Assistants to deliver research in all disease specialities and provide research opportunities to all across the Wigan Borough.

WWL’s Research Strategy 2022-26 'Research for All' outlines the Trust’s path to grow research within the Trust but also across the community of Wigan. The Trust has made a commitment to develop research across the patient care pathway serving our community, by further developing the collaboration across the Healthier Wigan Partnership, Wigan Borough Council, Primary Care, Community services, Integrated Care Board and the Trust.

The successful applicant will join an enthusiastic and successful Clinical Research Delivery Team, working flexibly within the research hubs across the Trust sites, including our community Clinical Research Hub.

Applicants would need transferable clinical skills to enable them to work flexibly within the team to support recruitment of a diverse range of patient cohorts in multiple disease areas.

This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates and in line with the current NIHR RRDN funding arrangements and such contracts are renewed on a rolling basis in line with confirmation of annual funding.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be involved in study set-up, approvals, patient recruitment, data and sample collection. The postholder will be required to liaise closely, as required, with researchers and other staff within Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other NHS Trusts, Universities, Research Ethics Committee and the Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN). The post holder will work closely with the Clinical Research Nurses, Clinicians and the wider Research Team in delivery of all studies.

The postholder will be expected to work on studies within all specialities and there will be requirement to travel to all other sites within the Trust.

We have developed a wide portfolio of studies and have a growing reputation in clinical research, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Principal Investigators, Research Nurses, Clinicians and the wider Research Team.
• To assist with research projects as directed by the Senior Research Nurse/ Lead Research Nurse/Researcher involving:
• Explaining study information and details to the potential study participants
• Recruiting patients and others meeting the inclusion criteria to participate in portfolio projects
• Seeking informed consent from participants after successful training
• Planning and organising day-to-day research and other activities
• Conduct data collection with participants, such as questionnaires and interviews
• Recording research data accurately and keeping data secure
• Collect biological samples including venous blood samples using venepuncture and saliva & urine samples as required for research studies
• Undertakes research clinical related activities such as, measuring heights, weights, checking vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, temperature and ECGs if trained.
• To record and report all adverse events as they occur as part of a clinical trial in accordance with the protocol and delegated responsibilities
• Contribute to and ensure that each project has a well-maintained site file.
• Provide a focal point of contact for all Sponsor personnel, staff and patients
• Attend individual project meetings as required
• Upload recruitment activity to the Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS), dealing with any queries as they occur in a timely manner.
• Follow Trust policies and guidelines, R&D policies and Standard Operational Procedures.
• Ensure that study equipment is used safely and maintained in its working condition.
• Supervising and support junior research staff.
• Be responsible and support all staff to adhere to the UK Policy for Health and Social care Research; ICH Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) guidelines and protocols.
• To work within the required standards namely: Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations; Human Tissue Act; UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act and other relevant laws
• The post holder will occasionally be required to carry out research visits at the patients home and will require to use their own transport for this purpose. Compliance to Trust driving for policy will be required.

Key results from the job holder Professional

• To undertake continuous professional / personal development, seeking opportunities to enhance skills working to a personal development plan, including participating in an annual appraisal.
• To be responsible of their own portfolio and deliver research studies as lead Clinical Research Practitioner.
• Be aware of innovations and developments in Research Governance, Ethics and other regulatory and legal guidelines governing Clinical Research.
• Manage own workload using effective time management.
• Refer any major concerns, issues or barriers to the Senior Research Nurse, Research Management team and the Head of Research.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues in the Research Delivery Team, Research Governance, Clinicians and Sponsors, Universities, NIHR RRDN to ensure delivery of a professional service.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.