About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Development and Innovation Project Support Officer to join our Research Team!
Under minimal supervision the Research Support Officer is responsible for the effective and efficient day to day administration of research studies to enable the researcher and study team to fulfil their responsibilities.
Main duties of the job
The Research Support Officer will also provide a comprehensive and high-quality project and administrative support to the Research Management Team, in the promotion, delivery and reporting of Research studies.
Provide an effective point of contact for enquiries and communication relating to research studies.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.
Job description Job responsibilities
Act as a point of contact for all queries relating to research studies within the Trust internal personnel and external organisations, resolving most queries independently or referring on to the most appropriate member of staff as appropriate. Supervise the research administrative service using own initiative, reporting any problems to the RDI Co-ordinator and/or RDI Manager as appropriate. Support the recruitment process for patients into research studies. Assist the Research teams in preparing study documents for ethical and trust approval. Co-ordinate and attend meetings, to support, and help to coordinate, the planning of the official opening of a study. Process all necessary internal and external approvals for research studies to be conducted within the Trust within nationally set timelines. Prepare and coordinate any local RDI reviews and obtain necessary internal approvals. Responsible for quality control, checking validity and completeness of the data to provide accurate data sets for statistical analysis. Co-ordinate appointments/meeting and provide reports when required. Collection and interpretation of patient information from notes to complete reports. Completing and sending Forms in a timely fashion to relevant Clinical Trials Units. Take action to obtain or correct missing or contradictory data while maintaining confidentiality. Create study logs and ensure data uploaded one on a regular basis. Ensure adequate study information supplied when required. Manage study amendments and update files. Ensure that study information is recorded appropriately on EDGE/REDA and other study information record systems, providing updates regarding study changes. Attend regular Research team meetings and provide regular updates and progress reports, taking notes/minutes when required. Ensure research protocols are adhered to, that all healthcare professionals involved in research comply with the NHS Research Governance Framework and that Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is implemented. Prioritise and manage data queries to resolution in a timely fashion Liaison with the Research team to clarify discrepancies and establish correct data collection. Monitor and maintain study databases and other records. Supervise the tracking of patients to predict when next data collection is required. Ensure that supplies are available with the correct specimen containers /bottles in preparation for future appointments. Co-ordinate the processes required for interventional studies. To assist in the maintenance of outcome monitoring databases and operational processes, which enable the recording of patient recruitment and completion of studies on behalf of the Research Management Team. Assist the RDI Manager in producing annual reports, annual plans and other departmental documents and presentations as required. General clerical and office duties including the maintenance of efficient filing systems. Liase with Clinical Trials Units, Clinical Research Associates and other non-trust staff. Undertake any other duties deemed relevant to the post and grade. Provide advice, guidance and assistance in the development of study specific patient tracking and data collection tools for use by the research team Coordinate the purchase of non-stock items for research studies Maintain stock control for both the department and research teams, including using the SBS system to re-order stock as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to GCSE standard/NVQ3 or equivalent experience NVQ/other relevant IT qualification
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Microsoft Office - Excel, Word and Teams Multidisciplinary working Previous experience in administration /Project work including minute taking Working knowledge and experience of the EU Clinical Trials Directive and GCP Working knowledge and experience of the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Knowledge of the National Institute for Health Research Knowledge of the Health Research Authority and the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) Prioritise workload Work with frequent interruptions Good time management and organisation skills Uses own and others time effectively Keep work systems up to date, neat and tidy Plans workload and tasks in a systematic way, ensure all tasks / activities are completed in a timely manner Demonstrable experience of working within a research environment
Desirable
Knowledge of Local Clinical Research Networks Data Management experience Experience of supervising staff
Skills Essential
Good interpersonal skills Ability to liaise with other stakeholders Highly organised Team worker Ability to work under pressure/deadlines Initiative Reliable Good time-keeper Flexible in approach to work Meticulous attention to detail Organised -ability to deliver and maintain daily routine, work in a planned and structured way. Uses own and others time effectively Behave in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Plans workload and tasks in a systematic way, ensure all tasks Use systems and Tools to ensure records and audit trails are clear and up to date. / activities are completed in a timely manner Recognise own Limitations and seek advice when required ( team approach) Has a positive attitude to change management
Other Essential
Working knowledge of Microsoft office with keyboard skills There is a requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable. The majority of the tasks within the role require full attention due to the level of detail; although as first point of contact there will be numerous interruptions thought out the day which may require a change in task. Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances is rare Ensure that other team members know how process & systems work Keep work systems up to date, neat and tidy Continual VDU use
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 Employer name Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot
L35 5DR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)