Clinical Research Assistant

NHS; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a motivated Health Care Assistant to support the Diabetes Research Unit at Ipswich Hospital. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and phlebotomy expertise. You'll assist with administrative duties for clinical trials while maintaining high standards of patient care. Join a dedicated team where your commitment to healthcare can thrive in a supportive environment with opportunities for training and development.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave on commencement

Access to NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Essential to have phlebotomy skills and experience in a public-facing role.
• Willing to undergo personal development and training.

Responsibilities

• Assist research teams with clinical trial duties.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Skills

Phlebotomy skills

Excellent communication skills

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Good IT skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent experience

Good level of general education

Job description

Job summary

Are you enthusiastic, motivated and committed with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and an interest in research?

We are looking for an experienced Health Care Assistant or practitioner to support the busy Diabetes Research Unit at Ipswich Hospital. This post holder needs to have common sense, attention to detail, practical skills, adaptability and a “can do” attitude with an absolute commitment to high standards of care are required.

It is essential the post holder have phlebotomy skills and he/she is able to work calmly and methodically whatever the surroundings.

Good Clinical Practice, study specific protocol training, specimen processing training will be provided, due to the nature of the role, excellent IT skills are essential. The role will be a patient facing role, therefore excellent communication skills are essential. Knowledge and understanding of research practice and the ability to apply research governance principles to practice is desirable.

The Research and Development department at ESNEFT hosts a variety of studies such as the NIHR portfolio, locally developed (ESNEFT) & commercial. The research ranges from simple observational studies to interventional clinical trials of investigational medicinal products (CTIMPs). This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic multi‑disciplinary team.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain patient and research subject confidentiality at all times
• Assist research teams in administrative duties for clinical trial start‑up, initiation, maintenance and study closure.
• Work with the Research department to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Assist in the entry of accurate and timely documentation of data in patient Case Report Forms (CRF's) either on paper or electronic versions.
• Assist the research team and monitors the resolution of raised data queries.
• Assist the research teams in the maintenance of the trial site file by e.g.: Collating and filing paperwork, obtaining signatures for the delegation log.
• Archive research data following information and research governance policies.
• Assist the research team in the entry and maintenance of accurate information on databases such as the patient recruitment database.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are the largest NHS organisation in East Anglia, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here – www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Details

Date posted 19 December 2025

Pay scheme Agenda for change

Band Band 3

Salary £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract Permanent

Working pattern Full‑time

Reference number 432-HR1043‑25

Job location

Ipswich Hospital, Heath Road, Ipswich, IP4 5PD

Person Specification – Qualifications Essential

• Good level of general education as evidenced by exam results or qualifications.
• A willingness to undergo personal development and training and learn new skills. NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent experience.

Person Specification – Qualifications Desirable

• Good Clinical Practice Course (or complete within one month of employment).

Person Specification – Experience Essential

• Experience of working with the public or people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Person Specification – Experience Desirable

• Research setting.

Person Specification – Knowledge Essential

• Awareness of ESNEFT Trust values.
• Phlebotomy skills or willing to be trained. Familiarity with medical terminology.

Person Specification – Knowledge Desirable

• Knowledge of clinical trials and other research methodology.

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

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Ipswich Hospital, Heath Road, Ipswich, IP4 5PD

Employer’s website https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/