Job summary
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to work in the Department of Haematology at Kings College Hospital, London as a Clinical Trials Research Fellow in Plasma Cell Disorders. This post will involve supporting a number of CAR T-cell, immunotherapy and transplant trials in multiple myeloma as part of the plasma cell disorder service. The post is expected to start in February 2023 with a minimum 12 month contract and the potential for extension. Candidates with laboratory research interests will have the opportunity to participate in a translational research project alongside their clinical work. Limited participation in the Haematology Specialist Registrar on call rota is expected and some medical cover of private patients with plasma cell disorders.
The appointee will be a medical doctor interested in pursuing a career in haemato-oncology. Candidates who have completed Internal Medicine Training or equivalent who have completed full membership exams and are seeking experience of haematology at registrar level are also encouraged to apply. GMC registration is a requirement. The selection process will include a panel interview.
Main duties of the job
King's Haematology Research Unit (HRU) currently maintains a flourishing and rapidly expanding Clinical Trials Portfolio covering a range of haematological diseases including Haemato-Oncology, Red Cell Haematology and Coagulation disorders. The postholder will provide medical support to the Consultants within the Plasma Cell Disorders Service (PCD) in order to provide a comprehensive Clinical Trials Service. The postholder will integrate with the Haematology Multidisciplinary team and existing Trials Coordinators to supervise all clinical and administrative aspects of the PCD Trials Portfolio.
- Management of PCD patients entered into clinical trials (especially CAR-T and BiTE immunotherapy trials) at King's
- Participation in PCD Outpatient clinics
- Attend multidisciplinary meetings such as histology and radiology meetings
- Liaison with district haematology colleagues
- Participation in laboratory research
- Limited medical cover of private PCD patients
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Research Management
- The post holder will be expected to lead the coordination and delivery of CAR T and other immunotherapy trials for myeloma
- Assisting in the design and preparation of research protocols and patient information sheets.
- Co-ordinating arrangements required for patients undergoing specialist investigation prior to and during treatment and care, according to protocol guidelines and to ensure the safety of the patient.
- Assessing the patients prior to and following trial treatment or care as required by the protocol. Ensuring accurate documentation of outcomes and side effects and that the information collected are used effectively.
- Preparing and presenting research papers and trials internally and externally.
- Ensuring all data for MRC, BNLI, EBMT and STHCR is collected as required.
- To ensure confidentiality of participating patient, corporate confidentiality and safekeeping of trial data.
- To comply with the applicable regulatory requirements and adhere to GCP (good clinical practice).
- To act at all times within the bounds set by the Research Ethics Committee and where appropriate, the Food and Drug Administration.
- To maintain up to date knowledge in research developments both at a local and national level.
Clinical Practice
- See trial patients at outpatient clinics, on the chemo unit and wards and ensure all information required by the trial protocol is recorded in the patients notes.
- Promotion of efficient co-ordination of the study, acting as the main point of contact with the principal investigator, clinicians and laboratories.
- With other members of the health care team, ensuring the patient (or where appropriate, the parent/guardian or next of kin) fully understands the nature of the trial; of voluntary entry to the trial, and of freedom to withdraw at any time without any prejudice to treatment.
- To work clinically with the ward nursing staff to ensure appropriate education & development of on-going trials.
- Keeping up to date with current treatments and care being offered within the relevant speciality.
- Acting as a resource and contact point for patients, relatives and staff in matters concerning the trial.
- Ensuring that all hospital procedures and policies are carried out correctly by reference to relevant computer databases and manuals.
- To act as a resource, providing accurate information to patients, carers, relatives and the multidisciplinary team and others within Kings College Hospital NHS Trust.
- To carry out bone marrow biopsies/aspirates and other hematological procedures as required by the protocol.
Education & Professional Leadership
- Educating nursing and medical staff on the principles of clinical research, data collection, patient consent and concerning specific trial e.g. possible side effects that patients may encounter when receiving particular treatments.
- Educating patients, relatives and carers of possible side effects and of appropriate action that will need to be taken
- Liaising with the nursing and medical staff to organise and participate in ward and departmental teaching programmes which inform staff of current research developments within the appropriate team.
- To provide effective clinical leadership and act as a role model to others in the Care Group and the Trust.
- To actively participate in relevant fora at Care Group, Trust, or PCT or Health Authority level to represent the service perspective.
- To attend and actively participate in the Trust Clinical Trials Co-ordinators Forum.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- To observe general responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- To observe the policies and procedures of Kings College Hospital NHS Trust.
- To undertake other duties as appropriate to the grade as required facilitating the smooth running of the Care Group.
- To remain knowledgeable about Care Group objectives and work corporately to support development projects and strategies
- To identify aspects of the service that require specific attention in order to achieve improvement in clinical outcomes.
- To perform when required bone marrow biopsies for PCD clinical trial patients
- To undertake a laboratory research project under supervision
- To provide some medical cover for private PCD patients when needed
Education and Training
- Teaching Sessions: There is a weekly marrow aspirate review in a teaching session on Tuesday mornings. In addition there are informal morphology teaching sessions during the week.
- Teaching ward rounds: The main teaching ward round is on Thursdays in which all consultants participate. The round is multidisciplinary with microbiologists, pharmacists, nursing staff (inpatients and outpatients) and other paramedical staff.
- Topic teaching: There is a regular meeting on Fridays at lunchtime where various topics are presented, often by visiting eminent speakers. The lunchtime Grand Round on Wednesday presents varied medical topics. There is also a Wednesday morning breakfast journal club.
- X-ray meetings: There is a weekly meeting with Radiology where x-rays of both inpatients and outpatients are reviewed.
- Pathology meeting: There is a weekly meeting with Histopathology (Dr. J. Salisbury) where marrow trephine lymph node and other tissues are reviewed and discussed.
- Audit meetings: Departmental audit meetings are held monthly. In addition the department takes part in regional audit activities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Research Management
- The post holder will be expected to lead the coordination and delivery of CAR T and other immunotherapy trials for myeloma
- Assisting in the design and preparation of research protocols and patient information sheets.
- Co-ordinating arrangements required for patients undergoing specialist investigation prior to and during treatment and care, according to protocol guidelines and to ensure the safety of the patient.
- Assessing the patients prior to and following trial treatment or care as required by the protocol. Ensuring accurate documentation of outcomes and side effects and that the information collected are used effectively.
- Preparing and presenting research papers and trials internally and externally.
- Ensuring all data for MRC, BNLI, EBMT and STHCR is collected as required.
- To ensure confidentiality of participating patient, corporate confidentiality and safekeeping of trial data.
- To comply with the applicable regulatory requirements and adhere to GCP (good clinical practice).
- To act at all times within the bounds set by the Research Ethics Committee and where appropriate, the Food and Drug Administration.
- To maintain up to date knowledge in research developments both at a local and national level.
Clinical Practice
- See trial patients at outpatient clinics, on the chemo unit and wards and ensure all information required by the trial protocol is recorded in the patients notes.
- Promotion of efficient co-ordination of the study, acting as the main point of contact with the principal investigator, clinicians and laboratories.
- With other members of the health care team, ensuring the patient (or where appropriate, the parent/guardian or next of kin) fully understands the nature of the trial; of voluntary entry to the trial, and of freedom to withdraw at any time without any prejudice to treatment.
- To work clinically with the ward nursing staff to ensure appropriate education & development of on-going trials.
- Keeping up to date with current treatments and care being offered within the relevant speciality.
- Acting as a resource and contact point for patients, relatives and staff in matters concerning the trial.
- Ensuring that all hospital procedures and policies are carried out correctly by reference to relevant computer databases and manuals.
- To act as a resource, providing accurate information to patients, carers, relatives and the multidisciplinary team and others within Kings College Hospital NHS Trust.
- To carry out bone marrow biopsies/aspirates and other hematological procedures as required by the protocol.
Education & Professional Leadership
- Educating nursing and medical staff on the principles of clinical research, data collection, patient consent and concerning specific trial e.g. possible side effects that patients may encounter when receiving particular treatments.
- Educating patients, relatives and carers of possible side effects and of appropriate action that will need to be taken
- Liaising with the nursing and medical staff to organise and participate in ward and departmental teaching programmes which inform staff of current research developments within the appropriate team.
- To provide effective clinical leadership and act as a role model to others in the Care Group and the Trust.
- To actively participate in relevant fora at Care Group, Trust, or PCT or Health Authority level to represent the service perspective.
- To attend and actively participate in the Trust Clinical Trials Co-ordinators Forum.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- To observe general responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- To observe the policies and procedures of Kings College Hospital NHS Trust.
- To undertake other duties as appropriate to the grade as required facilitating the smooth running of the Care Group.
- To remain knowledgeable about Care Group objectives and work corporately to support development projects and strategies
- To identify aspects of the service that require specific attention in order to achieve improvement in clinical outcomes.
- To perform when required bone marrow biopsies for PCD clinical trial patients
- To undertake a laboratory research project under supervision
- To provide some medical cover for private PCD patients when needed
Education and Training
- Teaching Sessions: There is a weekly marrow aspirate review in a teaching session on Tuesday mornings. In addition there are informal morphology teaching sessions during the week.
- Teaching ward rounds: The main teaching ward round is on Thursdays in which all consultants participate. The round is multidisciplinary with microbiologists, pharmacists, nursing staff (inpatients and outpatients) and other paramedical staff.
- Topic teaching: There is a regular meeting on Fridays at lunchtime where various topics are presented, often by visiting eminent speakers. The lunchtime Grand Round on Wednesday presents varied medical topics. There is also a Wednesday morning breakfast journal club.
- X-ray meetings: There is a weekly meeting with Radiology where x-rays of both inpatients and outpatients are reviewed.
- Pathology meeting: There is a weekly meeting with Histopathology (Dr. J. Salisbury) where marrow trephine lymph node and other tissues are reviewed and discussed.
- Audit meetings: Departmental audit meetings are held monthly. In addition the department takes part in regional audit activities.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Professional registration
- Experience
- Communication (verbal/non-verbal)
- Good level of clinical knowledge and understanding of clinical risk management
- Ability to work independently and as part of multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- GCP
- CAR-T & SCT experience
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Professional registration
- Experience
- Communication (verbal/non-verbal)
- Good level of clinical knowledge and understanding of clinical risk management
- Ability to work independently and as part of multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- GCP
- CAR-T & SCT experience
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
