Research Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

Clinical research helps millions of people live longer and healthier lives.  If you want to join this innovative and exciting speciality, then we are offering a unique opportunity to work as a Research Assistant Practitioner in the Synergy Team within the Research and Development Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.  The Synergy Team coordinates studies in a large variety of specialities including Maternity, Diabetes, Hepatology, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics and Orthopaedics. We recruit patients from both inpatient and outpatient settings. The role involves day-to-day care of participants on clinical studies including screening, recruitment, and follow-up. We offer a friendly, supportive working environment with access to training and professional development and offer a full induction programme with ongoing mentoring. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience, support delivery of research and see first-hand the difference it makes to patients' lives.

For further information or if you would like to arrange an informal visit please contact: Natasha Wilmshurst Research Nurse Specialist [email protected]  01752 431854 Or Sasa Topol [email protected]  Senior Research Nurse 01752 431854

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work with the clinical research team to provide technical, practical and clinical assistance for research projects. The post holder will assist in the implementation and monitoring of the clinical  requirements associated with research to ensure optimum delivery of clinical trials. S/he will support the team to ensure research procedures are conducted according to study protocols and will focus on providing a  quality experience for research participants.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Leadership 1. Have an understanding of the clinical research team work-plan and contribute to its achievement. 2. Contribute to research performance of relevant studies. 3. Take responsibility for own health, safety and security. 4. Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical and research policies, procedures and SOPs. 5. Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures without direct supervision. 6. To be able to prioritise workload even when frequently interrupted and under pressure. 7. Maintain effective communication between the research team and patients (who may at times be distressed) tactfully and empathetically. 8. Be part of a blame free culture in reporting incidents and where appropriate support local investigation of incidents.

Research 1. Work within the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework for Health & Social Care and the EU Clinical Trials Directive. 2. Participate in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training. 3. Support the clinical research team by attending study visits and collecting accurate and relevant study data within both the hospital and community setting. 4. Help to ensure that trial specific investigations and procedures are undertaken as required by booking relevant investigations and assisting patients to appointments. 5. Ensure that information is transcribed accurately where required and assist with the maintenance of the Trial Site File. 6. Support external audit and monitoring visits by ordering and collecting patient records and act as a runner or chaperone as required. 7. Collect and handle clinical trial prescriptions and medicinal products. 8. Assist in study close-down procedures. 9. Support appropriate studies within PHNT/UHP and its partner organisations as appropriate.

Clinical 1. Assist in the clinical care of research participants in accordance with the specifications of each research study.  2. With training and support, screen and identifying patients suitable for clinical research using inclusion and exclusion criteria and utilising NHS records, screening clinics, visiting wards and outpatients and using IT systems and databases. Inputting data into various systems. 3. Undertake clinical activities for which training and competency assessment has been completed. Duties may include performing standard clinical observations (Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate,  Temperature, Oxygen Saturations, Height and Weight), venepuncture, urine sampling, spirometry, ECG,blood glucose monitoring and physical assessments.  4. With regard to the above clinical duties, assist in the monitoring of treatment toxicity/side effects by reporting any abnormal values to a senior member of the team.  5. Centrifuge, process track and ship samples in line with protocol requirements including handling dry ice following training.  6. Ensure accurate patient trial documentation, including the use of electronic data capture systems and ensure relevant information is recorded in patients’ medical notes or Case Report Form in a timely manner.  7. Contribute to the monitoring of clinical standards within the research team.  8. Treat all persons encountered during the course of duties with respect and courtesy and maintain a standard of conduct which best represents the clinical trials team and the Trust.  9. Respond quickly and appropriately to enquires and queries, knowing when to escalate issues higher.  10. Demonstrate responsibility for own actions and awareness of own limitations by working within the non- registered practitioners competency framework.  11. Ensure the environment is suitable for patient care and research processes, recognising the importance of privacy, dignity and diversity. 12. Contribute to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement activities across the department

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***