Junior Research Facilitator

The Research & Development (R&D) Office oversees and supports the setup of all research projects undertaken within University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. From initial introduction and feasibility to study setup and close.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Junior Research Facilitator to join the R&D Operations Team, supporting the administrative processes involved in setting up and managing the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust portfolio of clinical trials.

Research Support Facilitators play a key role providing essential administrative support across a diverse and active research portfolio.

Consideration will be given where appropriate to a Band 2 trainee wishing to develop knowledge and experience of research pathways and processes within a large acute hospital setting, with progression to the Band 3 role upon completion of key competencies.

*** Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

The R&D office facilitates the management of all R&D projects within the Trust - from first conception, through approvals, to active recruitment, follow-up and finally trial closure and archive. At any one time, there are in excess of 500 active research projects on-going in the Trust, 60+ projects in set up at any one time and an archive of approximately 200+ completed projects.

The role of a Junior Research Support Facilitator is to provide administrative and data management support for all aspects of trial organisation, as an integrated member of the Research and Development Office.

The role is a very busy one, requiring excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise accordingly.

• To act as a first point of contact for researchers, receiving queries by telephone, e-mail and in person with an ability to guide them clearly to the appropriate person for guidance through the complicated R&D application processes. Researchers may be very experienced or may be attempting their first forays into research - the ability to target and adapt communication style is therefore crucial.
• To become proficient in the use of our web-based electronic research database such as EDGE to enter, update and retrieve project information, to be able to use the web-based systems eg: NIHR operating data platform ODP .
• Liaise with and support investigators, research nurses, trial co‑ordinators, Clinical Research Network, Staff, and external Clinical Research Associates to ensure full trial documentation sets are available and in place before authorisation of R&D Confirmation of Capacity and Capability. The completion of applications must be organised in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide effective and timely communication with ethics committees, R&D offices, investigators and the multi‑disciplinary teams, pharmaceutical companies and other research organisations such as the Universities.
• Liaise with the R&D Finance team to ensure that Clinical Trials Agreements are in place and the studies are fully costed before approval is given. Making the R&D Finance team aware of any potential study delays.
• To learn to identify the different types of R&D projects (Clinical Trial of an Investigational Medicinal Product [CTIMPs] and non‑CTIMPs, device studies, genetics, Phase I, commercial and academic), in order to make appropriate and accurate judgements concerning their approval and governance requirements.
• To be aware of and deliver studies to national and local targets and timelines, whilst also being sensitive to the wider research environment and understanding the possible impact on a delivery teams other commitments to research.

• NVQ level 3 in related subject, or equivalent demonstrable experience

• Excellent IT skills, using Microsoft Office and web-based databases.
• Good telephone skills
• Understanding of medical terminology
• An understanding of medical research processes
• Demonstrable experience of working in an large clinical setting

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.

£25,760 to £27,476 a year

Per Annum Pro Rata