Research Paramedic

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 20 January 2025

Job summary

**INTERNAL ONLY FOR WMAS EMPLOYEES**

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Paramedic to join the well established Research Team from April 2025.

The post holder will support the Trusts existing research team, in the delivery of high quality clinical and non-clinical research, therefore a passion for clinical research is essential.

The role requires the research paramedic to support participation of staff and patients in the delivery of appropriately approved and governed research studies. Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate tasks is essential in the delivery of complex trials within the pre-hospital setting

Applicants must be HCPC Registered with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience (& must have completed NQP consolidation period - if applicable. Evidence will be required)

You will work from your current / closest HUB, however, Regional travel is required for this post as you will be expected to visit staff across the Trust for clinical research using your own vehicle.

Please note, this post does not attract a % of unsocial hours.

Interviews will be held on Monday 3rd February 2025

For further information or an informal discussion please contact Josh Miller, Lead Research Paramedic (joshua.miller@wmas.nhs.uk)

Main duties of the job

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and accessible workplace for everyone where our colleagues feel empowered to succeed.

Each person plays a vital part to ensuring our organisation meets the differing needs of our communities ultimately enabling us to save lives. We acknowledge that a workforce that reflects the communities that it serves provide better patient care and we are therefore looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference to our patients.

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity at all levels. We are proud to have maintained Disability Confident Leader status and as part of our commitments to this we guarantee to invite all applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role to attend assessment or interview. If you have a disability or learning difficulty, and prefer to disclose it, please feel free to do so in your application. You can also contact the Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@wmas.nhs.uk if you wish to have a confidential discussion. We use this information, with your permission, to ensure you are fully supported during the recruitment process.

The Trust is proud to support our Armed Forces community and have signed up to the Step Into Health initiative. We welcome applications from Armed Forces Veterans and Service leavers.

About us

If this position involves a regulated activity it will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children, adults or both

Where a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is required for the post, all applicants are required to cover the cost of the check. The cost of £55.76 for an enhanced check is payable to our online provider at the time that the DBS application is submitted. Upon receipt of your DBS you will then be required to sign up to the DBS online update service.

Date posted

19 December 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9217-205-24-25

Job locations

Ambulance Headquarters

Waterfront Business Park

Brierley Hill

West Midlands

DY5 1LX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical General

Promote research within the Trust to ensure that staff are aware of the relevant trial(s) and understand the trial design, processes and protocol.

Work autonomously to manage their caseload of patients, whilst working as part of a research team. Maintain effective communication with patients, carers and professionals to ensure service delivery.

To act as the patients advocate when relevant and to be able to educate on all the treatment options to enable a patient to make an informed choice.

In collaboration with other members of the research team, to assess the needs of patients, their families, and other carers and provide specific advice or support as appropriate.

To maintain adequate patients records and ensure all relevant information is accurately documented in the patients medical notes.

To be trained in additional clinical skills as required by the trial portfolio.

To act as one of the primary points of contact for clinical trials patients.

Clinical Research

To contribute to the assessment of feasibility and deliverability of a research study to inform the decision on suitability of the study to run within the Trust

To contribute to the management and administration of the local portfolio of clinical trials and research studies, ensuring that the clinical trial protocols are adhered to and site files are accurately maintained

To ensure that you and your team work in accordance with the Medicines for Human use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004, UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, the principles of Good Clinical Practice, the Data Protection Act 2018, and other local policies and procedures as applicable for research

To be aware of ethical considerations of research and act as the patients advocate at all times

To ensure that the Trial Master File (TMF) / Investigator Site File (ISF) is appropriately maintained and available for monitoring, inspection and audit at all times, and to host the monitoring visits and audit inspections arranged on behalf of the study Sponsor or host Trust

To ensure that clinical trial screening and recruitment records are accurately maintained, and site delegation logs are complete

To build relationships and liaise with relevant healthcare professionals to promote study participation and to identify patients eligible to enter clinical trials

To facilitate the informed consent of a participant (appropriate to age and level of understanding) during the recruitment process in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice and other guidelines

To identify barriers to recruitment into clinical trials and research studies, and problem solve or escalate as applicable

To manage and carry out inventories of trial supplies e.g. Trial Drug Packs

To be responsible for timely, complete and accurate data recording in patients medical notes, requesting and tracking the notes, and accurately recording data from the notes into the study case report forms (CRF)

To be responsible for forwarding trial data in a timely manner to the trial co-ordinating centre, including providing responses to data queries

To provide support for colleagues working on research studies in their absence

To supply trial progress data/information as required to senior managers and Trust R&D departments

To attend meetings relevant to the nature of the job

Supporting Principal Investigator and the wider research team within research projects.

Ensure that informed consent is received according to ethical and legal regulations.

Evaluate patient eligibility for clinical trials and arrange appropriate appointments according to the trial protocol.

Responsibility for ascertaining from patients whether adverse or serious adverse events have occurred and reporting these appropriately as part of the risk management process for Research Governance.

Ensure patients are randomised and allocated treatment in accordance with the clinical trial protocol.

Collect any samples or conduct patient assessments required as part of the clinical trial and ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens and or trial data.

Support the administration of trial drugs as required, be aware of and report any unusual side effects.

Provide continuity of care for patients and their carers throughout the trial programme.

To work with other members of the research team across a portfolio of projects.

Responsible for the entry of data on case report forms (CRFs) for all studies and ensuring trials are conducted according to the relevant regulations.

Responsible for ensuring that data is submitted to research sponsors within the timescales required by the Sponsors.

Act as a role model for excellence in research.

If required, use expertise to assist in the development of new portfolio studies.

Education/Research

The post holder will undertake continuing professional development and training relevant to the clinical research specialty, the networks research strategy and to the relevant programmes of work

To train other health professionals involved in patient management to work to the requirements of Good Clinical Research Practice and Research Governance standards.

Instruct individual patients and/or carers in specialised procedures and requirements of their participation in research projects.

To share knowledge and expertise with peers.

To demonstrate a continuous process of professional and personal changes in professional practice.

To comply with all statutory, trust, policies and procedures and to take an active role in the development of such policies and procedures.

To be able to critically read and appraise research reports and publications, for development of the Trusts available knowledge base.

Maintain clinical competence as a paramedic and ensure a current CPD portfolio is maintained.

Willing to work clinically as per the demands of the role, as part of a double crewed ambulance or as a solo responder.

Other

To act in accordance with the appropriate Code of Professional Conduct

To understand and adhere to Trust policies and procedures.

To ensure that Trust wide standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all those who come in contact with the service provided by the Trusts. The post holder has responsibility for safety as outlined in the trusts policy and the Health and Safety Work Act 1974

To maintain confidentiality at all times provided this is compatible with child protection procedures

To represent the clinical research network or the PIs team at regional or national meetings as required

To travel across the CRN: West Midlands as required to meet the needs of the role

To undertake other duties as required that are commensurate with the banding of this role