Clinical Research Practitioner inBrighton inBrighton PUBLISHED MON 30 DEC 2024

The post holder will assist with delivery of a portfolio of clinical trials and manage and co-ordinate their own portfolio of trials under the indirect supervision of a registered healthcare practitioner. They will work on clinical research studies in a diverse range of specialities including HIV, Sexual health, Infectious Diseases, Ophthalmology and ENT.

They will help to support the day-to-day management of an allocated portfolio of studies. This includes successful recruitment and retention of participants, strict protocol adherence, data collection, and organisation of relevant tests and procedures. They will need to have a good background of general clinical knowledge; to provide research participants with excellent clinical care. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in response to the service needs and work across different clinical specialties as required. The post holder will also be responsible for promoting research within Trust departments and supporting colleagues and local investigators to deliver high quality research activity to support participant care.

The post holder will be required to work across a diverse range of clinical specialties depending on the dynamic nature of the portfolio and be responsive to the changing needs of the service.

The post holder will work collaboratively with the other members of the research team to support the progress of allocated clinical trials and research undertaken in the Trust, maintaining an accurate account of project status and records as required. They will also work collaboratively across professional and organisational boundaries within and outside the NHS and develop professional relationships with other relevant organisations including non-commercial bodies and pharmaceutical sponsors that promote the delivery of high-quality clinical research within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder will proactively support the management of a portfolio of clinical trials, in a manner which achieves results and drives initiatives forward along a continuum of improvement in keeping with current and forthcoming organisational strategies and health trends.

Support R&D senior staff in the implementation of trust policies and procedures and adherence to research governance and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

About us

Clinical Responsibilities

• Manages and co-ordinates the implementation of some uncomplicated clinical trial protocols in accordance with the relevant local, National, and international guidelines, under indirect supervision of a registered healthcare practitioner.
• Assumes responsibility for aspects of specific complex research studies as delegated by the Lead / Senior Research Nurse and under supervision of Research Nurses, i.e., screening for potential participants or co-ordinating participants visits.
• Obtains written informed consent for research studies (where appropriate).
• Assumes the responsibility for record keeping, data collection and data entry for some research studies.
• Data gathering and data entry using paper and electronic case report forms.
• Works independently in clinical areas within the Trust and with external organisations.
• Supports research participants through the process of trial participation.
• Provides a high standard of clinical care within a multi-professional research team, seeking assistance from registered healthcare professional as appropriate.
• Obtains and records observations such as vital signs, ECG, respiratory function and blood glucose analysis, as required by the trial protocol and as delegated by the registered healthcare practitioner, informing trained staff of any abnormal results.
• Undertakes venepuncture (essential) and cannulation as required (desired).
• Obtains clinical samples from research participants - including blood and urine, and process in alignment with the research protocol and after having received the appropriate training.
• Recognise emergency situations and respond appropriately in line with Trust policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Support R&D senior staff in the implementation and adherence to research governance and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Demonstrate proficiency in protocol driven clinical skills, and with appropriate training develop new skills as required for service development.
• Adhere to UHSussex Infection Control policies, highlighting any areas of concern to individual staff as required and escalates as necessary

Communication

• The role requires close liaison with other Clinical Research Staff and personnel from other departments around the Trust. As the post holder will be receiving informed consent from research participants, they will need to be highly skilled in communication.
• Facilitate effective communication of research study information with all relevant research personnel, including medical, nursing/midwifery, administrative, pharmacy staff and external parties.
• Take personal accountability for the content and quality of records, in line with UHSussex policies on documentation and research legislation and Good Clinical practise recommendations.
• Always communicate with tact and empathy and interact appropriately with patients/participants and relatives/carers where barriers to communication may exist (e.g., challenging behaviour, varying levels of ability, where English is not the first language). Fully participate in multidisciplinary case conferences, where requested to attend.

Please see attached Job Description for full details.