Job summary
- Main area
- Research
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 216-DH-CO7826383
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Research & Development Office
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/03/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Research Healthcare Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
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 Research Assistant Practitioner in the Synergy Team within the Research and Development Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
The Synergy Team coordinates studies in a large variety of specialities including Maternity, Diabetes, Hepatology, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics and Orthopaedics. 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
[email protected]
01752 431854
Or
Sasa Topol
[email protected]
Senior Research Nurse
01752 431854
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.
Working for our organisation
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 manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Leadership
1. Have an understanding of the clinical research team work-plan and contribute to its achievement.
2. Contribute to research performance of relevant studies.
3. Take responsibility for own health, safety and security.
4. Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical and research policies, procedures and SOPs.
5. Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures without direct supervision.
6. To be able to prioritise workload even when frequently interrupted and under pressure.
7. Maintain effective communication between the research team and patients (who may at times be distressed) tactfully and empathetically.
8. Be part of a blame free culture in reporting incidents and where appropriate support local investigation of incidents.
Research
1. Work within the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework for Health & Social Care and the EU Clinical Trials Directive.
2. Participate in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training.
3. Support the clinical research team by attending study visits and collecting accurate and relevant study data within both the hospital and community setting.
4. Help to ensure that trial specific investigations and procedures are undertaken as required by booking relevant investigations and assisting patients to appointments.
5. Ensure that information is transcribed accurately where required and assist with the maintenance of the Trial Site File.
6. Support external audit and monitoring visits by ordering and collecting patient records and act as a runner or chaperone as required.
7. Collect and handle clinical trial prescriptions and medicinal products.
8. Assist in study close-down procedures.
9. Support appropriate studies within PHNT/UHP and its partner organisations as appropriate.
Clinical
1. Assist in the clinical care of research participants in accordance with the specifications of each research study.
2. With training and support, screen and identifying 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.
3. 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.
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. 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.
7. Contribute to the monitoring of clinical standards within the research team.
8. 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.
9. Respond quickly and appropriately to enquires and queries, knowing when to escalate issues higher.
10. Demonstrate responsibility for own actions and awareness of own limitations by working within the non- registered practitioners competency framework.
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
***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.***
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- One of the following o Accredited Level 3 (SCQF – 6): - City and Guilds 3 o NVQ 3 o Accredited BTEC National Diploma o Experience equivalent to the above qualifications
- Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math’s, 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
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- • Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
- • Be able to work as a member of a team
- • Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
- • Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential criteria
- • Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- • Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- • Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
- • Committed to providing high quality patient care
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Natasha Wilmshurst
- Job title
- Specialist Research Nurse
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 431854
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