Research Assistant Intern

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Research and Innovation, Christie Patient Centred Research (CPCR) unit at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Applications are invited for a Research Intern to join the CPCR team and gain experience in a variety of research projects focused on improving patient experience and quality of life. We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual currently undertaking a degree in nursing, social work or related subject. Responsibilities include assisting and facilitating data collection, data analysis and preparation of reports/publications. The internship is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Undergraduate Internship Programme which aims to engage and attract students from underrepresented professions in the early stages of their academic studies to consider a career in health and social care research.

Main duties of the job

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Planning and Organisational • Work with CPCR team members to meet project milestones

Communication • Actively participate in meetings as required.

Research Governance • Ensure that all projects adhere to Good Clinical Practice guidelines.

Project Facilitation

• Support Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities.
• Assist with report writing and manuscript preparation.

Equality and Diversity

• Carry out all duties in a way that supports equality and values diversity. This responsibility includes actions in relation to all internal and external stakeholders.
• To facilitate the promotion and support of equality in access to research and value diversity ensuring the service provided meets the needs of all service users.

Other

• Be responsible for promoting the work and reputation of the Trust and supporting its wider activities.
• Be responsible for ensuring that personal, professional and corporate essential training requirements for self and staff under line management are met. Proactively engage in the PDR process ensuring that preparation work, objectives and personal development needs are identified and met.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will support project activities within the Christie Patient Centred Research (CPCR) team. CPCR lead a range of research projects exploring patient experience and quality of life. Duties will be varied but will include data collection and analysis, dissemination, administrative functions and literature reviews. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The specific responsibilities will depend on the requirements of each team, but may include:

• Act as a point of contact for the Research and Development core team, study sponsors, clinical research organisations and specific research teams, communicating directly with them regarding data queries, monitoring visits and other enquiries relevant to general trial conduct.
• Assist with the general administrative duties associated with the set up and initiation of trials within CPCR, under the Research Associate/Research Assistant.
• Assist with completion of activity logs. Maintain investigator site files and essential documentation in accordance with ICH-GCP and Trust SOPs to ensure they are kept inspection ready at all times.
• Assist with the processing of trial documentation (e.g. IRAS forms, amendment submissions, protocol registration) in accordance with ICH-GCP and Trust SOPs and timelines, under the supervision of the Research Associate/Research Assistant.
• Provide administrative support to the Research Assistant, Research Associate and Research Fellows for safety reporting in accordance with protocol requirements, under the supervision of the Research Assistant and Research Associate.
• Complete team reporting mechanisms (i.e. recruitment activity logs, patient visit logs, costing spreadsheets, case report form trackers and electronic proformas).
• Assist the Research Assistants and Research Associate with the write up of research findings for review by the Senior members of CPCR.
• Communicate with patients and study participants to arrange data collection methods, and assist in data collection (e.g. interviews), patient engagement activities (e.g. focus groups) and data analysis using relevant data analysis methods and software.
• Liaise with internal and external NHS staff regarding case notes, data collection, mortality data, and other general trial activities, which may be confidential and sensitive in nature.
• Arrange team and trial related meetings as required, producing minutes in a timely manner.
• Communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically.
• Ensure that data is available and up to date for any meetings related to studies in collaboration with other members of CPCR .
• Attend project related meetings, investigator meetings teleconferences, as necessary.
• Assist with general preparation for audit and inspections within assigned teams, under the direct supervision of the CPCR team.
• Assist with trial document archiving by following the Trust’s archiving guidelines.
• Undertake general administrative tasks as delegated by managerial representatives from the Research Division to contribute to the smooth running of the patient recruitment teams. Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.