Early Phase Clinical Research Fellow

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Role: The successful candidate will be recruited as a Clinical Research Fellow in Early Phase Trials Team.

Research:   A diverse range of clinical research trials are in progress and, following training, you will be expected to participate in these studies as a co-/sub-investigator. These include Phase I trials of immunotherapeutics, small molecule inhibitors, next-generation chemotherapy trials, combination / multi-modality Phase I trials, molecular characterisation / translational studies. In addition to the research projects outlined above, the post-holder may be involved with new patient consultation, consent and screening, and reviewing patients at follow-up appointments.

Primarily, patients are seen in the outpatient setting but with some inpatient cover.  The appointee is required to attend 6 trial outpatient clinics per week (see indicative timetable).

Protocols: You will be expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of their patients.  The appointee will be encouraged to harness opportunities to be involved in the development and planning of new studies.

Professional Development: You will maintain a level of continuing professional development consistent with the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians.

Appropriate arrangements for study leave will be made in conjunction with colleagues.  There is the potential to present research work and you will be expected to be involved in audit, writing papers and reviews.  You will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.

Clinical Governance: You will be expected to participate in all relevant aspects of clinical governance, including maintaining up to date protocols, guidelines and clinical audit, under the supervision of the other consultants in the Early Phase Trials team.

Audit: You will play a full role in clinical audit as a member of Early Phase Trials team. The appointee will develop, supervise and deliver team audit projects.

Continuing Professional Development

The Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

Role Planning

This is a 10 session non-training specialty registrar (full) level post funded through The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre for an initial period of 1 year with potential to extend to 2 years.

Provisional Sessional Timetable for Early Phase Clinical Research Fellow

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Proposed Sessional Activities

Early Phase Review and Consent    5.0

Multi tumour Early Phase Clinic      1.0

Research Administration                     1.0

Trial Teleconferences                             1.5

Team Meeting                                             0.5

Audit/CPD                                                   1.0

                                                                            10

Indicative Clinical Timetable

Indicative outputs:

• Minimum of 100 new patients assessed per annum.
• Minimum of 35 patients enrolled onto clinical study/annum (in consultation with consultant staff).
• Minimum of 2 commercial/investigator sponsored studies secured and opened/annum (in consultation with consultant staff).

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, but it aims to highlight the typical main responsibilities of the post.  It may be reviewed from time to time to ensure that it relates to the job as then being performed, or to incorporate whatever changes are being proposed.  This procedure is conducted in consultation with the post holder. 

Equality and Diversity

All employees must demonstrate a positive attitude to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust’s equality policies and Equality Scheme.  Employees must not discriminate on the grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national beliefs, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and will treat patients, colleagues and members of the public with dignity and respect.

Health and Safety

The employer will take all reasonably practical steps to ensure your health, safety and welfare while at work.  You must familiarise yourself with the employer's Health & Safety policy, and its safety and fire rules.  It is your legal duty to take care of your own health and safety as well as that of your colleagues.

Information Security and Confidentiality

During the course of your employment you may have access to, see or hear information of a confidential nature.  You are required not to disclose such information, particularly relating to patients or staff.  All personal identifiable information must be held in the strictest confidence and should only be disclosed to authorised people in accordance with NHS confidentiality guidelines (Caldicott) and the Data Protection Act 1998, unless explicit written consent is given by the person identified or where information sharing protocols exist.  Any failure to comply with this term of your employment will be treated as an act of misconduct under the employer's disciplinary procedure.

Research Governance

Research and Development is at the heart of providing effective treatments and high quality services, supporting a culture of evidence based practice and innovation amongst staff.  All staff have a duty to be aware of and comply with their responsibilities for research governance, whether as researchers, as part of the team caring for those participating in research, or as research participants themselves.

 Infection Control

All employees are expected to follow consistently high standards of infection control practice, especially with reference to hand decontamination, adherence to dress/uniform code, and for clinical staff, aseptic technique and to be aware of and follow all Trust infection control guidelines and procedures relevant to their work.

Mandatory Training

Mandatory training relates to information and/or training regarding the management of general and specific risk.  All staff are required to attend mandatory training, which is relevant to their role as identified in the Trust’s risk management mandatory training matrix.

Code of Conduct

As an employee of the Trust, it is a contractual duty that you abide by any relevant code of professional conduct and/or practice applicable to you.  A breach of this requirement may result in action being taken against you (in accordance with the Trust’s disciplinary policy) up to and including dismissal.  In addition, managers are required to carry out their duties in a manner, which complies with the code of conduct for NHS Managers Directions 2002.