Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Research Assistant

The closing date is 23 September 2025

Job summary

To provide administrative and clinical support to clinical and other non-clinical members of staff within the Department of Clinical Research (DoCR) on a variety of research projects. To provide cover for core administrative duties within the DoCR as required

To support the research nurses in appropriate clinical trial procedures, including screening, some assessments, follow-up and data collection.

Assist with the co-ordination of clinical trial-related samples (transport, storage and shipment). To assist with planning and preparation for patient study visits.

To support with wider administrative duties including data entry onto electronic research forms and uploading patient recruitment data onto local portfolio management system (Edge)

Main duties of the job

Deal with day-to-day correspondence, communicate effectively with individuals, their families, carers and health/social care practitioners using a range of styles and ensuring information remains confidential at all times.

Under the guidance of the research delivery staff, provide study-specific support where required. This will involve activities such as: sending patients appropriate trial information, filing, photocopying, keeping track of and booking patient appointments, preparing blood sampling packs and notes for clinics, sending pre and post appointment letters to patients and arranging couriers for samples, ensuring packaging and safe storage of blood or urine samples, and recording when such samples are sent from the Trust to external organisations.

Screening clinic/ward lists for potential patients.

Updating the website and supporting the promotion of research studies.

Undertake a range of clinical activities for which you must have been trained and assessed as competent to undertake as delegated by the Registered Professional. ie Venepuncture.

About us

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will to experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!

Details

Date posted

10 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-BL-711

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details of duties and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details of duties and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good standard of education, English, Mathematics and a science GCSE or equivalent.
  • Vocational Qualification Level 3 equivalent level or equivalent experience in Health Care.
  • Level 3 qualification or Certificate in Healthcare, Care Certificate or willing to work within agreed time scale.
  • NVQ level 2 or equivalent experience, in business and administration.
  • Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel with good Keyboard Skills.

Desirable

  • "Good clinical practice" in relation to clinical research trials.

Experience

Essential

  • Data management
  • Experience of dealing with patients or the public, face to face and also by telephone
  • Health care Sector experience

Desirable

  • Clinical research or trials experience

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Excellent planning and organisational skills, able to manage own time, prioritising workload appropriately
  • Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patient
  • Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure
  • Able to communicate effectively, confidently and tactfully (including telephone manner) with staff and Patients or their relatives/carers.
  • Able to use initiative within the scope of the job, whilst recognising and working within professional boundaries
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • May be required to work across various departments within SFT
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good standard of education, English, Mathematics and a science GCSE or equivalent.
  • Vocational Qualification Level 3 equivalent level or equivalent experience in Health Care.
  • Level 3 qualification or Certificate in Healthcare, Care Certificate or willing to work within agreed time scale.
  • NVQ level 2 or equivalent experience, in business and administration.
  • Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Word, Excel with good Keyboard Skills.

Desirable

  • "Good clinical practice" in relation to clinical research trials.

Experience

Essential

  • Data management
  • Experience of dealing with patients or the public, face to face and also by telephone
  • Health care Sector experience

Desirable

  • Clinical research or trials experience

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Excellent planning and organisational skills, able to manage own time, prioritising workload appropriately
  • Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patient
  • Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure
  • Able to communicate effectively, confidently and tactfully (including telephone manner) with staff and Patients or their relatives/carers.
  • Able to use initiative within the scope of the job, whilst recognising and working within professional boundaries
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • May be required to work across various departments within SFT

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Carinna Vickers

carinna.vickers@somersetft.nhs.uk

07824452211

Details

Date posted

10 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-BL-711

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Supporting documents

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