Clinical Trials Assistant na Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Our vision for Single Corporate Services  
Isle of Wight NHS Trust (IWT) and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) have a shared vision of a single corporate service across our two organisations, supported by a single set of identical systems and processes, under joint leadership, to drive significant efficiencies, improve employee experience, and return time to patient care. 

This vacancy is part of the Single Corporate Services Division.

Why are we changing the way we deliver Corporate Services? 
Working as a partnership, both IWT and PHU have a shared vision for excellence in care for our patients and communities; with a set of strategic aims underpinning how we will achieve this. The creation of a single corporate service is essential for us to support our clinical and operational services, and our wider transformation programme. 

The vision for our single corporate services is to:

• Be an employer of choice for corporate talent, attracting and retaining people who share our values for excellence in care and welcome the opportunity to benefit from the broad range of flexible career and development opportunities we can offer.   
• Improve efficiency through simplified and standardised policies, processes, and systems, drawing on the best from both Trusts.  
• Do things once and reduce any duplication on transactional tasks giving corporate staff the ability to focus on higher value and more diverse activities.  

This vacancy is open to employees of Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust only.

Band 3: £24,937 - £26,598 

Permanent contract

Full time hours: 37.5 per week

Base: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, PO6 3LY

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is looking for a highly motivated Clinical Trials Assistant to join our research team. We are proud to be developing a team of like-minded individuals, those that can live and breathe our core values, and help us to provide unprecedented levels of care that we know each and every patient deserves.

This is a full-time position, worked over a Monday to Friday pattern. Occasional weekends and public holidays may be required with notice.

You will join an experienced, supportive team in working across a range of studies which may include commercial and non-commercial, interventional and observational research. You will provide clinical and administrative support to research teams, in order to facilitate recruitment into high quality clinical research.

You will be involved in all aspects of trial delivery, from set up to completion. This will include pre-screening and screening participants, supporting informed consent conversations and trial follow up, ultimately ensuring the smooth running of studies and providing continuous support for our trial volunteers.

In return, we will be able to facilitate and support you with additional training and education relevant to the role, study-specific training, as well as the opportunity to gain experience from other research teams within Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, and other research partners.

As part of the Single Corporate Service, this role is a designated site-based role however the post holder will be part of the Corporate Service team which provides a service across both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

As the single corporate service will be delivered across both organisations, individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites.  The frequency and arrangements will be discussed on an individual basis, and the staff mobility local agreement will apply. 

You will be responsible for supporting the day to day running of clinical trials from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Portfolio and other commercial trials. You will support the set up of trials, identify eligible patients, receive consent for specified studies, arrange follow up visits, prepare clinic notes, data entry, maintain clinical trial records, whilst preserving confidentiality.

There may be occasions when you will be asked to support other areas within the Trust to achieve research targets, depending on your skills and knowledge. Research experience is an advantage although this is not essential as development will be supported.

The post holder will work in accordance with the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework (DH 2001), the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations (SI 1031/2004 and later amendments) and other relevant regulations and guidelines. Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training will be given to the successful candidate.

If you would like to be part of this dynamic research and innovation team and feel that you can fulfil this post, we would like to hear from you; Informal visits are highly recommended prior to application, please contact Michelle Baker Moffatt [email protected]

Please see attached Job description for additional information. 

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• NVQ 3 level of knowledge and training
• Computer literate, with knowledge of patient administration & Microsoft office systems 
• Evidence of continuing personal/professional development
• Completed Care Certificate or ability to complete within 3 months of appointment

Desirable

• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training for research
• Previous experience of clinical trials or research projects

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of technical skills and capability
• An understanding of medical terminology and clinical processes
• Technical and computer skills using specialised software
• Good organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken
• Ability to work as part of a team, but also able to use own initiative and work without supervision
• Innovative and adaptable to change

Desirable

• Previous experience of clinical trials or research projects
• Experienced in vital; signs observation

Personal Qualities

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective communicator
• Ability to act and ensure delivery
• Responsive and flexible attitude/approach
• Knowledge of medical terminology.          

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and Disability, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.