Research Healthcare Assistant

University Hospitals Plymouth Nhs Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is seeking a Research Healthcare Assistant to join the Quest Team within the Research and Development Department. You will assist in day-to-day care of participants on clinical studies, including screening, recruitment and follow-up, in multiple specialties.

The role offers training, induction, mentoring and opportunities to develop in clinical research. Based at Plymouth Science Park and main hospital site, with travel between buildings as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare or clinical research environments.
• Strong communication and time-management skills.
• Ability to work well in a team and use initiative.

Responsibilities

• Work with the clinical research team to provide clinical, practical and technical support for studies.
• Screen and identify suitable patients for trials and assist with recruitment and follow-up.
• Ensure study procedures are conducted per protocols and maintain quality participant experiences.
• Assist with data collection, documentation and sample handling as required by trials.
• Support audits and monitor visits by coordinating records and coordinating patient interactions.

Skills

Communication skills

Organised

Teamwork

Clinical research experience

Education

Accredited Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

NVQ Level 3

Functional English/Maths Level 2

Job description

Job summary

Are you a demonstrably experienced Healthcare Assistant looking for a change? Are you a highly organised individual with excellent time management and communication skills? Do you enjoy working in a team as well as using your own initiative?

Clinical research helps millions of people live longer and healthier lives. If you are interested in joining this innovative and exciting speciality, we are offering a unique opportunity to work as a Research Healthcare Assistant in the Quest Team within the Research and Development Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

The Quest Team coordinates studies in a variety of specialities including Maternity, Hepatology, Paediatrics and Nephrology. We recruit patients from both inpatient and outpatient settings. The role involves day-to-day care of participants on clinical studies including screening, recruitment, and follow-up.

We offer a friendly, supportive working environment with access to training and professional development and offer a full induction programme with ongoing mentoring. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience, support delivery of research and see first‑hand the difference it makes to patients' lives.

For further information or if you would like to arrange an informal visit please contact:
Natasha Wilmshurst, Research Nurse Specialist, [e-mail], 01752 431854
Elanor Haughan, [e-mail], Research Nurse, 01752 431247

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work with the clinical research team to provide technical, practical and clinical assistance for research projects. The post holder will assist in the implementation and monitoring of the clinical requirements associated with research to ensure optimum delivery of clinical trials. S/he will support the team to ensure research procedures are conducted according to study protocols and will focus on providing a quality experience for research participants.

The University Hospitals Plymouth Research & Development department is based at Plymouth Science Park across two buildings. Potential candidates need to be aware that there are distances they will need to be able to cover between the buildings and the different research clinics based in the main hospital site.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.

Details

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year Per Annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Closing date: 10 November 2026

Job responsibilities

Leadership

Research

• Work within the Department of Health's Research Governance Framework for Health & Social Care and the EU Clinical Trials Directive.


• Participate in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training.


• Support the clinical research team by attending study visits and collecting accurate and relevant study data within both the hospital and community setting.


• Help to ensure that trial specific investigations and procedures are undertaken as required by booking relevant investigations and assisting patients to appointments.


• Ensure that information is transcribed accurately where required and assist with the maintenance of the Trial Site File.


• Support external audit and monitoring visits by ordering and collecting patient records and act as a runner or chaperone as required.


• Collect and handle clinical trial prescriptions and medicinal products.


• Assist in study close-down procedures.


• Support appropriate studies within PHNT/UHP and its partner organisations as appropriate.

Clinical

• Assist in the clinical care of research participants in accordance with the specifications of each research study.


• With training and support, screen and identify patients suitable for clinical research using inclusion and exclusion criteria and utilising NHS records, screening clinics, visiting wards and outpatients and using IT systems and databases. Inputting data into various systems.


• Undertake clinical activities for which training and competency assessment has been completed. Duties may include performing standard clinical observations (Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Temperature, Oxygen Saturations, Height and Weight), venepuncture, urine sampling, spirometry, ECG, blood glucose monitoring and physical assessments.


• With regard to the above clinical duties, assist in the monitoring of treatment toxicity/side effects by reporting any abnormal values to a senior member of the team.


• Centrifuge, process, track and ship samples in line with protocol requirements including handling dry ice following training.


• Ensure accurate patient trial documentation, including the use of electronic data capture systems and ensure relevant information is recorded in patients' medical notes or Case Report Form in a timely manner.


• Contribute to the monitoring of clinical standards within the research team.


• Treat all persons encountered during the course of duties with respect and courtesy and maintain a standard of conduct which best represents the clinical trials team and the Trust.


• Respond quickly and appropriately to enquiries and queries, knowing when to elevate issues higher.


• Demonstrate responsibility for own actions and awareness of own limitations by working within the non-registered practitioners competency framework.


• Ensure the environment is suitable for patient care and research processes, recognising the importance of privacy, dignity and diversity.


• Contribute to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement activities across the department.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• One of the following: Accredited Level 3 (SCQF - 6): City and Guilds 3, NVQ 3, Accredited BTEC National Diploma, or demonstrable experience equivalent to the above qualifications


• Level 2 Functional skills in English and Maths, or equivalent


• Completion of accredited Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)


• Equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

• Research specific Training (e.g. GCP)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Computer literacy


• Proven ability to organise and prioritise own workload and work to tight deadlines


• Relevant demonstrable healthcare experience


• Demonstrable experience with dealing with confidential patient information


• Proven ability to communicate information to patients/carers/members of MDT


• Demonstrable experience at HCA/NVQ Level

Desirable

• Proven understanding of the relevance of research


• Proven knowledge of the Research Governance Framework and the International Conference on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice Guidelines


• Skilled at venepuncture


• Clinical skills including standard observations


• Demonstrable experience of clinical research within an acute clinical setting

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work cohesively as a member of a multidisciplinary team


• High level of interpersonal and communication skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address: Research Office, 5 Research Way, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 5FP, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Specialist Research Nurse, Natasha Wilmshurst, [e-mail], 01752431854

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