Clinical Research Technician

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT); Cambridge; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) is seeking a Clinical Research Technician to support the delivery of clinical research studies within the R&D team. You will assist Research Nurses/Practitioners, identify potential participants, support visits, collect samples, and help with trial documentation.

Based at Windsor Research Unit, Fulbourn Hospital, with some duties at Cavell Centre, Peterborough.

Qualifications

• Experience in a clinical, healthcare, or patient-facing environment.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and handling confidential information.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Identify potential participants from diverse sources for RDN portfolio and clinical trials.
• Prepare for and support study visits, ensuring readiness of clinical areas and documentation.
• Undertake phlebotomy and assist with processing and shipment of samples per SOPs.
• Perform delegated clinical tasks (vital signs, ECG, measurements) once trained.
• Maintain accurate patient records and study documentation.

Skills

Strong communication

Attention to detail

IT skills

Organise workload

Work independently

Follow protocols

Phlebotomy willingness

Collect clinical observations

Coordinate appointments

Data protection

Clinical terminology

Clinical trial processes

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

GCP training

Phlebotomy training

Research-related training

ECG training/competency

Job description

This is a full-time (37.5 hours p/w), 2-year fixed term contract.

This post is part of a growing team of research nurses and practitioners working in the research and development (R&D) team at CPFT.

The post holder will support the safe and effective delivery of clinical research studies by assisting Research Nurses/Practitioners and the wider research team with patient care, study procedures, and trial administration.

Working in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and local governance frameworks, the role contributes to high‑quality data collection, participant experience, and the smooth running of the research portfolio.

The Clinical Research Technician will help identify participants, support study visits, collect and process samples, maintain accurate documentation.

Main duties of the job

The post holder plays an essential role in ensuring research is delivered across Cambridge and Peterborough to a high standard and supports improvements in patient care and clinical outcomes. These studies will cover four main specialities: Mental health, Dementia, Physical health/community and rare diseases.

The postholder’s primary base will be at Windsor Research Unit Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, with an expectation to provide support at the research unit at the Cavell Centre, Peterborough.

Working for our organisation

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.

Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children’s, adult and older people’s mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.

To achieve our goals, we recruit high calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly under represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

All appointments for new employees to CPFT are subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.

Please note we reserve the right to close adverts early should we receive sufficient applications.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If you apply for a post that does not attract sponsorship, your application will be withdrawn from the process.

For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

• Working under supervision to identify potential participants from the Trust’s clinical services, community services, university and NHS databases, specialist clinics, third sector organisations, schools and other access routes, for RDN portfolio and non-portfolio studies and clinical trials.
• Prepare for and support research study visits, ensuring clinical areas, equipment, and documentation are ready and compliant with study requirements.
• Undertake phlebotomy and assist with the collection, labelling, processing, and shipment of biological samples in accordance with study and relevant SOPs.
• Perform delegated clinical tasks such as measuring vital signs, ECG recording, height/weight measurements, and other protocol‑specific assessments once trained and deemed competent.
• To maintain accurate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented within the patients’ medical notes and study source documentation.
• Supporting the study lead with the preparation for the monitoring visit ensuring the Investigator Site File (ISF) or Trial Master File (TMF) sections are up to date.
• Maintain professional awareness of subject area, including up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, Trust policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Monitor participants during and after study procedures, promptly escalating any concerns about patient safety or wellbeing to the supervising nurse or clinical team.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe clinical environment, including infection control, equipment checks, and adherence to local health and safety policies.
• Accompany the participant to the study related procedures, i.e. imaging department and assist with check‑in.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent relevant qualification/experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training (or willingness to complete upon appointment).
• Phlebotomy training and competency.
• Research‑related training (e.g., ICH‑GCP, informed consent awareness).
• Clinical skills certificates relevant to the role (e.g., ECG recording, vital signs

Experience

• Experience working in a clinical, healthcare, or patient‑facing environment.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and handling confidential information.
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Previous experience in clinical research or supporting research studies
• Experience collecting clinical observations or undertaking basic clinical procedures.
• Experience with data entry, databases, or electronic patient record systems

Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly and sensitively to patients.
• Ability to work accurately with excellent attention to detail.
• Competent IT skills, including data entry, email, and use of clinical or administrative systems.
• Ability to organise workload, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently within defined boundaries and seek support when needed.
• Ability to follow protocols, SOPs, and instructions precisely.
• Ability to perform phlebotomy or willingness to train.
• Ability to collect clinical observations (e.g., BP, pulse, temperature, ECG).
• Experience coordinating appointments or patient pathways.
• Understanding of patient confidentiality, data protection, and safeguarding principles.
• Basic understanding of clinical terminology and healthcare processes.
• Knowledge of clinical trial processes, ethics, and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of sample handling, laboratory processes, or clinical pathways relevant to research.

Other

• Dedicated to high quality patient care
• Flexibility and reliability
• Energy/drive, enthusiasm and tenacity
• Patient, non-judgmental, respectful and compassionate
• Good standards of written and verbal communication
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant to the role.
• Ability to travel independently and in a timely manner across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to meet strict deadlines.

Here at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) we are dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion. We deliver many of the NHS services that are provided outside of hospital and in the community such as physical, mental health and specialist services.

We are a health and social care organisation, offering a wide range of services, including:

• Integrated physical and mental health services for adults and older people;
• Specialist mental health and learning disability services;
• Children’s community services in Peterborough;
• Ground-breaking research

We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people and members of our ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities. For further information about our positive equality, diversity and Inclusion work, please visit https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/equalityanddiversity .

CPFT is looking to build upon its pool of temporary workers with Temporary Staffing Services (TSS). You will be asked at interview if you would be willing to register with TSS. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to take on additional hours that are flexible around your personal circumstances.

Please be advised that in line with the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, 2020 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust currently are unable to accept applications from overseas candidates whose country of residence is classed as a ‘Red List’ country.

Applicants who require entry into the UK will be required to provide a valid police certificate from the relevant authority from each country (except the UK) where the applicant has been present for 12 months or more, 10 years before the date of visa application, while aged 18 or over.

If you are successful at interview you will be subject to pre-employment checks, including a DBS (if appropriate), references and Occupational Health. To ensure a smooth process please bring all identity documents to your interview. A list of required identity documents will be attached to your interview invitation.

All communications will be sent to you via TRAC Systems. By applying for this post you are agreeing to CPFT transferring the information contained in this application to TRAC. If you are made an offer, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.