Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Research Assistant

This job is now closed

Job summary

Would you like to work with a friendly and dynamic Research Team contributing to the future development of procedures, medications and therapies? Would you like to develop your research skills and gain invaluable hands on training while being involved in clinical research?

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to work within the cancer research team as a Research Assistant. You will work within a multidisciplinary team including the Team leader, Research radiotherapy/nurses/practitioner, Principal Investigators and the wider research teams at the Royal Surrey County Hospital within the St Luke's oncology portfolio.

This role would suit someone who is new to clinical research and a novice looking to expand their knowledge and experience in the field of NHS clinical research. This role is ideal for someone at the beginning of their clinical research career who is keen to learn the process and governance around delivery of research within an NHS Trust. You will be very interested in working across the various cancer specialties.

Main duties of the job

The role involves assisting and supporting the Research team with clinical trial set-up and running of studies, the retrieval, review and entry of clinical trials patient data using paper and eCRFs. The successful applicant will be patient facing and be involved/responsible for screening and consenting patients, basic patient assessment i.e. taking blood pressure, phlebotomy etc and training would be offered for each skillset required prior to undertaking a study.

The successful candidate should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently playing a key role in the development, initiation and data capture for national and international trials. The maintenance of accurate and comprehensive records is an essential aspect of this post as well as a good communication skills both within the research teams and with patients.

This role would suit a biosciences graduate or a senior health care assistant looking to expand their scope of practice into the research field. Ideally with previous clinical experience having worked within a hospital setting and familiar with medical terminology, you will work within the guidelines and policies for the conduct of clinical trials, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with the principles of GCP. In addition you will have excellent communication, administrative and IT skills.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We have received an overall Good rating from the CQC with Medical care (including older peoples care), End of Life Care and Maternity services being deemed Outstanding by the CQC.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HsiGn9joTQ

Date posted

15 September 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,405 to £28,976 a year per annum pro rata inc HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

17 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-JH-EMF14653

Job locations

Royal Surrey County Hospital

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Research Assistant (RA) will work within a multidisciplinary team and the have the knowledge and skills to work at a high level of competence within agreed protocols and with clearly defined lines of accountability for delegated work.

To provide assistance to trained nursing staff to promote and support research within the research departments within the trust. .

The post-holder will, with support from colleagues from the research nursing teams, support and facilitate research clinics/activities within these departments. .

To provide assistance to the trained nursing staff in planning, delivering and evaluating nursing care to patients, within protocol defined requirements.

The RA will provide assistance to the multidisciplinary team in planning, delivering and evaluating care to patients.

The RA will carry out all interventions to a high standard and competency under the supervision of more experienced members of the team.

Support the patient/client, family and multidisciplinary team in ensuring there is a safe working environment.

The Post will be suitable for an experienced health care assistant with an active interest in extending their scope of practice with a focus on research.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide assistance to trained nursing staff to promote and support research within the research departments within the trust. .

The post-holder will, with support from colleagues from the research nursing teams, support and facilitate research clinics/activities within these departments. .

To provide assistance to the trained nursing staff in planning, delivering and evaluating nursing care to patients, within protocol defined requirements.

The RA will provide assistance to the multidisciplinary team in planning, delivering and evaluating care to patients.

The RA will carry out all interventions to a high standard and competency under the supervision of more experienced members of the team.

Support the patient/client, family and multidisciplinary team in ensuring there is a safe working environment.

The Post will be suitable for an experienced health care assistant with an active interest in extending their scope of practice with a focus on research.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification, e.g. NVQ3 level qualification/ HCA care certificate
Good level of English language demonstrated through effective written and excellent verbal communication skills

Desirable

Participation in a recognized CPD scheme
Evidence of ICH/GCP training

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work unsupervised in accordance with policies and procedures
Ability to perform repetitive tasks
High level of manual dexterity
Ability to concentrate on tasks, on occasion for prolonged periods
Ability to work in restricted sitting or standing positions for substantial periods of time
Ability to communicate well
Good telephone manner
Ability to work at weekend/Bank holidays if required to support research studies

Desirable

Experience in management of own workload, under supervision
Experience in surgical health care setting, in particular working alongside medical and nursing staff
Clinical trial document recognition
Generic laboratory and histology expertise and knowledge

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification, e.g. NVQ3 level qualification/ HCA care certificate
Good level of English language demonstrated through effective written and excellent verbal communication skills

Desirable

Participation in a recognized CPD scheme
Evidence of ICH/GCP training

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work unsupervised in accordance with policies and procedures
Ability to perform repetitive tasks
High level of manual dexterity
Ability to concentrate on tasks, on occasion for prolonged periods
Ability to work in restricted sitting or standing positions for substantial periods of time
Ability to communicate well
Good telephone manner
Ability to work at weekend/Bank holidays if required to support research studies

Desirable

Experience in management of own workload, under supervision
Experience in surgical health care setting, in particular working alongside medical and nursing staff
Clinical trial document recognition
Generic laboratory and histology expertise and knowledge

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

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey County Hospital

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey County Hospital

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Employer's website

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