Clinical Research Practitioner

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in Manchester is seeking a Research Practitioner for its Lung Cancer Research team. This role involves providing clinical support and managing data for clinical trials, ensuring compliance with established protocols. The ideal candidate will have strong organisational skills and previous experience in a clinical research environment. This fixed-term contract offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to pioneering healthcare research, with a potential to extend beyond 2 years.

Qualifications

• Proven work experience in data management involving clinical trials.
• Good understanding of clinical research, GCP, and clinical trial governance.
• Experience working in healthcare environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care for research participants as delegated.
• Conduct data collection and clinical observations.
• Liaise with sponsors and external NHS staff regarding trial data.

Skills

Data management skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Relevant qualification in clinical research

Job description

Please note that these posts are permanent contracts at 37.5 hours per week. The role will work across the clinical and administrative areas of the Lung research team. This will require working in clinical areas under the supervision of clinical research nurses and translational research facilitators and working in administrative areas under the supervision of the trial coordinators and research managers. The post-holder will provide clinical support for patients, within the boundaries of their own competence, and under the supervision and delegation of investigators and nurses. This will include tasks such as collecting biological samples, observations, data and quality of life questionnaires from trial participants. The administrative role will involve the management of a portfolio of clinical projects with support from other colleagues. This includes entering data from patient visits, responding to trial queries, completing trial‑related records, filing key trial documents, assisting with invoicing, working with members of the core Research and Innovation team, liaising with pharmaceutical contacts, and assisting colleagues with other administrative tasks. Post holders will be expected to participate fully in their personal development and review process in order to achieve the objectives for this post. They should be in possession of, or working towards, the National Care Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care for research participants, as delegated by PIs and research nurses, within the boundaries of own knowledge, competence and skill level.
• Ensure that all research is undertaken according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Trust policies.
• Planning and organising day‑to‑day research and other activities.
• Conduct delegated data collection with participants, such as questionnaires and interviews.
• Collection of biological samples as required for the clinical protocol, this may include blood, urine, sputum etc.
• Preparation of sampling kits as described in study laboratory manuals, maintaining laboratory stock and shipping & tracking of research samples.
• Undertake research‑related activities as required such as clinical observations and NEWS2, blood glucose monitoring, blood sampling (venepuncture and other venous access), PK sampling, cannulation and ECGs.
• Attend individual project meetings as required.
• Contribute to clinical and research governance processes, including adverse event and incident reporting, supporting any investigations.
• Understand and deliver care in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols.
• Ensure all clinical activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Evening and weekend shifts may occasionally be required to meet the clinical needs of the service RESEARCH.
• Act as a point of contact for the core Research and Innovation team, study sponsors, clinical research organisations and specific research teams, communicating directly with them regarding data queries, monitoring visits and other enquiries relevant to trial set up and general trial conduct.
• Maintain investigator site files and essential documentation in accordance with ICH GCP and Trust SOPs to ensure they are kept inspection ready at all times.
• Process trial amendment submissions in accordance with ICH‑GCP and Trust SOPs and timelines.
• Complete case report forms as per sponsor requirements, and liaise with clinical trial monitors to ensure the data sent is valid and their requirements are met at site monitoring visits.
• Cross check, confirm data and complete query resolution with sponsors and third parties in a timely manner.
• Completion of clinical trial specific databases with data from various sources such as questionnaires, hospital records and other electronic and paper sources.
• Liaise with internal and external NHS staff regarding case notes, data collection, archival tumour blocks, mortality data, and other general trial activities, which may be confidential and sensitive in nature.
• Ensure that data is available and up to date for any meetings related to a clinical trial.
• If required attend project related meetings, investigator meetings (abroad or teleconferences, as necessary) to convey the relevant information to the study team.
• Undertake general administrative tasks related to clinical trials as delegated by your line manager.
• Assist with preparation for audit and inspections within assigned teams.

Key Values

• Demonstrates the agreed set of values and is accountable for own attitude and behaviour.

Qualifications

We are looking to appoint a Research Practitioner (Band 4) in the Lung Cancer Research team within The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This is a fixed‑term contract for 2 years with the possibility to extend thereafter.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced individual who will assist the translational research team, research nurses, consultants and trial management team with the delivery of clinical research projects and clinical trials. The ideal candidate will have proven work experience in data management involving clinical trials and a good understanding of clinical research, GCP, and clinical trial governance. Strong organisational and communication skills, the ability to work well both within a team and independently, and a keen attention to detail are essential.

EEO and Diversity

The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring the best opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all our activities. We have a zero‑tolerance approach to modern slavery in any of its forms, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking.

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.