Study Support Service Officer

Job responsibilities

We are proud to be at the forefront of health and social care research delivery in the East Midlands, working with partner organisations operating in a broad range of settings across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

Hosted by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust with offices in Leicester and Nottingham, our model incorporates a number of different roles to enable us to drive clinical research delivery performance, and to ensure that research is championed across every level of health and care.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

Act as a liaison between various stakeholders to ensure effective communication and alignment of objectives

INFORMATION & ADMINISTRATION

• Manage data and information systems central to operation of the Study Support Service

• Manage, understand and interpret complex information and data to make recommendations on decisions and plans relating to the Study Support Service. This may include communicating and presenting to a variety of audiences

• Facilitate implementation of Information Governance best practice within systems supporting operation of the Study Support Service

• Ensure data integrity within relevant RDN systems, identifying potential concerns and patterns, and advising RDN customers and partners in resolving issues

• Undertake the processes required to continually ensure high quality and integrity of data within the portfolio management systems

• Support the use of digital innovations including data visualisation tools/dashboards and digital recruitment services such as Be Part of Research and Join Dementia Research to inform study and process decision making

• Actively contribute to activities and service processes that support study sponsors, funders and investigators to access data to enable them to effectively manage the delivery of their studies (and enable them to request support from the RDN as required)

• Utilise operational activity data for cost attribution and allocation of studies, ensuring accurate data support for regional organisations

• Ensure compliance with the DHSC RDN Portfolio Policy that the process, procedure and monitoring of studies enables sponsors / delegates, research delivery sites and funders to understand and adhere to their roles and responsibilities. For example, this may include satisfying the Eligibility Criteria for NIHR support before they are included on the portfolio and subsequently adhering to the expected actions and requirements set out in the NIHR RDN Portfolio Terms and Conditions

• Contribute to the oversight of the RDN portfolio to proactively identify potential issues and opportunities, working as an active partner to resolve and action follow-up activity

• Support Study Sponsors and delegates in the utilisation of the Sponsor Engagement Tool to secure visibility of real-time research activity data and help identify capacity in the health and care research system to deliver research quickly and efficiently

• Actively contribute to the coordination of the National Specialty and Setting Groups (e.g. arranging meetings, taking notes)

• Provide administrative support (e.g. note-taking and action tracking) to facilitate operational and project delivery and to capture learnings and knowledge for national network benefit

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Provide support for the delivery of Study Support Services in line with national standards

• Facilitate efficient study set-up, act as 'Main NIHR Network Contact' for the purpose of performance monitoring, tracking and assisting activities

• Where requested track, monitor and assess study progress and provide appropriate support/ action plans for key stakeholders so they can effectively deliver their study in line with the Terms and Conditions for NIHR Research Delivery Network Support

• Support and encourage sponsors to undertake accurate and timely uploading of recruitment data to relevant national portfolio systems

• Assist stakeholders who may need help to undertake feasibility, capability and capacity evaluations so organisations can deliver studies in a timely manner

• Assist in the development and delivery of training relating to RDN Study Support Service service and relevant research activities

• Undertake activities that contribute to the alignment and coordination of the NS&SL support for funders and sponsors in study design, deliverability and participant access to bring compatibility with the advice and guidance provided by the Study Support Service to further ensure optimal planning, placement and 'on request' performance monitoring of studies

• Support in the project management of specialty and setting initiatives at regional and national levels

• Support the organisation of communities of practice and events to promote knowledge sharing and best practices

SERVICE IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

• Ensure a customer-centric approach to service delivery, ensuring that the needs and expectations of stakeholders are met or exceeded

• Collaborate with internal teams to address challenges and optimise service delivery

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Contribute to the overarching goals of the Research Delivery Network by ensuring smooth operation of services, adhering to relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent and effective service delivery

• Foster effective communication and collaboration among internal teams to enhance overall efficiency

LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY

• Champion the RDNs capacity and capability to support Life Sciences Industry research and the contribution of the Life Sciences Industry to the NHS

• Provide the Study Support Services consistently, within the required timeframes and to standard RDN requirements

• Support business development activities, including: sourcing / signposting to relevant regional clinical research expertise and knowledge to support optimal research delivery

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain systems for cost attribution and allocation of studies ensuring adept support for regional organisations with their data requirements

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, seeking out opportunities for innovation

• Support quality improvement projects as required

• Suggest new improvements for national adoption, escalating local challenges and sharing all innovations

• Undertake cross-specialty, cross-setting and Study Support Service collaborative activities for improved research delivery

COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT (NHS AND NON-NHS)

Engage with multiple regional partners to support the coordination of communities and events

Communication of complex information both orally and in writing, both internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences. This may include providing advice, delivering training, presentations and writing reports

Respond to queries from partners and customers to help them navigate and best utilise the networks offer, internally flagging potential issues that may arise

ENSURING PATIENT, CARER AND PUBLIC INFORM AND INFLUENCE DELIVERY OF RDN STRATEGY

Act as a champion for patients, carers and the public, ensuring that their interests are meaningfully incorporated into the delivery of the RDN and RRDN

Champion research inclusion within RDN activities

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Work in accordance with RRDN contractual requirements (e.g. the Performance and Operating Framework) and with Host-related policies and procedures

Act in accordance with current legislation, including Good Clinical Practice, research governance legislation, and the Data Protection Act

Escalate risks that may need to be considered for the corporate risk register Follow and make suggestions to Standard Operating Procedures

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• RDN Study Support Service teams

• National/RRDN Specialty and Settings Leads

• Commercial and non-commercial sponsors and their delegates (e.g. Chief Investigators, Study Teams, Contract Research Organisations and Clinical Trials Units)

• R&D staff based at research Delivery Organisations

• Regional research delivery teams

• Research funders

Essential

Essential

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Degree in health or science discipline

Essential

Essential

• Excellent IT skills, particularly in the use of web applications, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office

Essential

Essential

• Experience of administration within an organisational environment

Essential

Essential

• Meticulous attention to detail, exhibiting thoroughness and efficiency

Essentail

Essential

• Awareness of research, the NHS and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients

Desirable

• Awareness of key RDN customers and their needs
• Awareness of governance and legislative framework for clinical research in the NHS

Essential

Essential

• Experience of using data systems, including accurate data entry and interpretation of data

Essential

Essential

• Ability to work independently in accordance with SOPs, while supporting the broader activities of a team

Essential

Essential

• Ability to interpret and present complex information

Essential

Essential

• Ability to communicate clearly with colleagues at all levels and across organisations

Essential

Essential

• Knowledge of the research study lifecycle

Essential

Essential

• Knowledge of scientific, research and medical terms commonly used in health and care research

Essential

Essential

• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills

Essential

Essential

• Professional and friendly approach to interpersonal interactions

Essential

Essential

• Works in accordance with the values of the RDN and the employing NHS Trust

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).