About this role
Job summary
Laboratory and Clerical Assistant to Research Team full time
Hours: Full Time37 hours per week
Holiday: 20 days annual leave (pro rata) rising per completed year to a maximum of 25 days
Pension: you will be eligible to join the NHS Pension Scheme
Rate of Pay: 13.02 per hour
We are looking for someone who can work flexibly as part of our Research team and provide both laboratory and clerical support to enable deliver a range of clinical trials in primary care.
Applicants must provide a comprehensive supporting statement demonstrating how they meet each of the essential criteria. Applications with insufficient supporting information may not be shortlisted.
Applicants must address the person specification within their Supporting Information section.
Main duties of the job
This will include handling blood, saliva and other samples and processing them in the laboratory in accordance with trial specific procedures. It will also involve a range of administrative duties and some patient contact.
About us
The Windrush Medical Practice is an Outstanding-rated practice with a strong reputation for clinical quality, education and innovation. We are a training practice with undergraduate teaching, extensive involvement in primary care research, and well-established multidisciplinary services including pharmacists, prescribing nurses and ECP-led clinics.
Located on the edge of the Cotswolds and just 13 miles from Oxford, the practice benefits from close links with adjacent community services, diagnostics and secondary care facilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB TITLE
Laboratory and Clerical Assistant (to the Research Team)
(AKA Lab Clerk)
ACCOUNTABLE TO
Dr N Thomas , Research Lead GP Partner
Reporting to: Research Manager
Operational liaison with: Laboratory Coordinator and Clinical Trials Assistant
HOURS OF WORK
Full time
Whilst there is some flexibility in the working week, the role will sometimes require starting work at 8am and/or working until 6:30pm e.g. when clinics require laboratory support, or sample shipments are awaiting courier collection
Working patterns can be varied if agreed between the post-holder and Research Team but must be when the practice is open (weekdays 8am 6.30pm). Very occasionally, you may be asked to work at a weekend to support a clinic although this will be negotiated in advance, and may be available as paid overtime.
LOCATIONS
Windrush Medical Practice, Witney
(and occasionally Eynsham Medical Practice)
As the employer, The Windrush Medical Practice may enter into agreements with other local practices or organisations to jointly undertake clinical trials or deliver other services, therefore the location of each working day will be defined by the organisational needs. It is anticipated that the workplace will remain in Witney, with infrequent trips to Eynsham, but occasionally may extend to other parts of West Oxfordshire if agreed with the postholder.
The Practice Philosophy is
Comprehensive patient-centred care.
Welcoming environment for patients
Well motivated, caring and efficient team Job Summary:
- (1) To undertake laboratory processes as part of the Research team, including training and following clinical trial protocols to perform laboratory, sample shipping and related tasks.
- (2) To undertake administrative and clinic booking processes to support the Clinical Trials Assistant and wider Research Team.
Job Responsibilities
Work in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and within Health and Safety guidelines
- (1) Develop laboratory knowledge as appropriate for research studies taking place at Windrush Medical Practice and other sites that may be working collaboratively with the practice. This includes completing trial specific and ICH-GCP (Good Clinical Practice) training.
- (2) Perform laboratory processes to support the specific needs of each trial and site.
- Ensure sample collection and storage procedures follow protocol requirements and best practice including completion of documentation e.g. sample, processing and storage logs, and respond to data management queries.
- Support the Research team in organising ordering/collection/ delivery of dry ice/packing materials for transportation of samples and ensure shipment of samples and documentation is completed following sponsor and/or local procedure.
- Support the Research team in helping arrange courier collections and ensure transfer of samples and/or documentation is undertaken in a secure and approved manner.
- Participate in the monitoring of temperature -controlled storage, take timely action and report temperature deviations.
- Support the Research team in helping manage supplies monitoring and ordering of laboratory equipment/supplies to ensure sufficient quantities of complete, unexpired stock is available as required and equipment is maintained and working effectively e.g. sample kits, centrifuge.
- Perform equipment maintenance/validation activities.
- Set up and ensure rooms that are used for laboratory activities are suitable for purpose,and liaise with site management regarding any issues that may arise.
- Ensure suitable PPE is available and used appropriately when working in the laboratory.
- Ensure laboratory areas used for research activities are kept and left clean and tidy.
- Take and record actions to address or escalate laboratory issues that may impact on the delivery of the activity /clinic and result in potential protocol deviations.
- Act as an autonomous practitioner, taking responsibility for laboratory decisions where you are competent to do so and seek advice where this is unclear.
- (3) Administrative and clinic booking activities to support the Research team
- Communicate by telephone, email and face to face with potential participants to provide information on trials.
- Respond to enquiries and issues from participants, sponsors and other agencies, and escalate to Research team members as appropriate.
- Undertake Pre-screening activities and document using templates
- Book appointments and send reminders to maximise attendance
- Assist with stock management and maintenance of supplies, keeping storage areas tidy.
- Take responsibility for administrative tasks in preparation for clinics e.g. creation of participant take home kits, participant document binders.
- Undertake data entry, photocopying/scanning/printing and filing documents/records and other clerical tasks.
- Provide administrative support to Research Team members including organising meetings, distributing papers, producing newsletters and taking minutes.
- (4) Other responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Adhere to all relevant local policies and standard operating procedures for research studies taking place at Windrush Medical Practice and other sites that may be working collaboratively with the practice.
Attend Research and Practice Teams, Sponsor training events and other relevant meetings which are deemed essential to the satisfactory delivery of your role as agreed with the Laboratory Coordinator.
Support the Laboratory Coordinator, Clinical Trials Assistant and Research Manager in the review of laboratory activities within Windrush Medical Practice and other sites that may be working collaboratively with the practice.
Health & Safety
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:
Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
Reporting potential risks identified.
Equality and Diversity
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation
- Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of participants, patients, carers and colleagues
- Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
Personal/Professional Development
The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment.
Quality
The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:
- Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
- Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
- Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
- Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet participant/patients needs
- Effectively manage own time, workload and resources
- Maintain and evidence up to date Statutory and Mandatory training
Communication
The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:
- Communicate effectively with participants, patients and carers
- Communicate effectively with the research, administrative and clinical teams
- Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly
- Report any problems encountered to the relevant person
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- The ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Ability to work efficiently in a changing, fast-paced healthcare environment
Knowledge
Desirable
- IT skills, e.g. Microsoft Office, EMIS Clinical system, data entry software
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of working in a health or social care setting
Qualifications
Desirable
- Laboratory Skills Qualifications
Training and Development
Essential
- Commitment to ongoing training including ICH-GCP and trial-specific learning
Skills
Essential
- Manual dexterity/good fine motor skills indicating ability to have/develop good practical laboratory skills e.g. pipetting
- Flexibility to agree working schedule to support trial and practice needs
- Attention to detail including ability to follow instructions
Desirable
- Demonstration of good practical laboratory skills
Employer details
Employer name
Windrush Medical Practice
Address
Welch Way
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX28 6JS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.windrushmedicalpractice.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)