Research Assistant Practitioner

Clinical research helps millions of people live longer and healthier lives.
If you want to join this innovative and exciting speciality, then we are offering a unique opportunity to work as a Clinical Research Delivery Assistant Practitioner in Team CARES (Cardiac, Anaesthetics, Respiratory, Surgery and Stroke Research) within the Research and Development Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
The Cares Team predominantly coordinate the Inpatient acute trials along with long term follow up of trials patients. The role involves day-to-day care of participants on clinical studies including screening, recruitment, and follow-up.
Our staff come from a variety of specialities and backgrounds to create a multidisciplinary research team working together to deliver research across Plymouth.
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 and 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:
Lorraine Madziva or Memory Mwadeyi
Senior Research Nurses
01752 432644

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for delivering effective, specialised, high quality nursing care, ensuring the area of work runs smoothly and efficiently;
• Works under the supervision of a Registered Practitioner;
• Works within the boundaries of existing competence, adhering to local and national protocols / standard operating procedures / policies;
• Delivers high standards of compassionate, dignified care, managing their time, tasks and resources effectively;
• Undertakes training, assessment and facilitation of peers and other staff as required;
• To support Registered Practitioners in their duties and contribute to the holistic care of patients as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team;
• To ensure that the environment is clean, safe, tidy and welcoming for patients and visitors;
• To undertake rotational work within the department as / if required.

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.

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.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.

If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Clinical (General Responsibilities):

• Delivering a high standard of safe, compassionate nursing care, recognising and incorporating the specific needs of patients;
• Undertaking assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care, under indirect supervision of a Registered Practitioner;
• Utilising a problem solving approach to patient care;
• Promoting and delivering health education within the clinical area for patients and significant others;
• Engaging and interacting with patients and significant others to include them in decision making and care planning;
• Implementing and sharing good infection prevention and control practices;
• Adhering to Trust infection control, decontamination and cleanliness policies;
• Adhering to COSHH regulations;
• Promoting the safety and wellbeing of patients, significant others and visitors;
• Support appropriate studies within PHNT/UHP and its partner organisations as appropriate.

Research Specific Clinical Responsibilities:

1. Assist in the clinical care of research participants within the relevant specialty in accordance with the specifications of each research study.
2. 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 Trust IT systems and databases.
3. Be responsible for the safe and accurate collection of research data through clinical procedures such as venepuncture, history taking, standard observations (height, weight, BP, RR, HR, oxygen saturations, temperature) and other assessments such as ECG, physical examinations, disease specific outcome measures, questionnaires, rated scales, qualitative interviewing as required by the protocol.
4. 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.
5. Centrifuge, process track and ship samples in line with protocol requirements including handling dry ice following training.
6. Record information relating to a patient’s previous medical history and current medication regimens following appropriate training, escalating any changes for review by a senior colleague.
7. Follow the process for receiving informed consent on a limited range of research studies as deemed appropriate and following specific training. This may require discussion of complex, sensitive information and awareness that there may be barriers to understanding the nature of research and the interventions that patients and/or relatives are asked to engage with.
8. Ensure accurate patient trial documentation, including the use of electronic data capture systems and ensure relevant information is recorded in patients’ medical notes in a timely manner.
9. Refer to other members of the MDT as required in order to provide optimal care of the participant.
10. Proactively seek feedback from participants and their families during their research involvement.
11. Ensure the environment is suitable for patient care and research processes, recognising the importance of privacy, dignity and diversity.
12. Contribute to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement activities across the department.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

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