Research Assistant | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 15 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £26,530 - £29,114 per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 15 May 2025 |
| Location: | Liverpool, L69 3GN |
| Company: | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7152005/287-CEF-41-25-A |
Summary
The purpose of this post is to collect data and provide research support to the research team. The team recruit and support patients in trials, and the research assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the nurses in the collation and delivery of quality data generated in these trials, and contributes to a consistently high standard of care for participants within research studies.
The assistant will be expected to perform a variety of audit, clerical and research duties within a research environment, aiding the PI and Research Nurses to maximise the effective use of their time.
Research is the primary focus of this role, with some projects recruiting patients for National and International research studies.
Key responsibilities include:
Assisting Research Nurses with study visits and clinical trial procedures, including venepuncture and vital signs (following appropriate training).
Collecting, processing (centrifugation, freezing, dry ice handling), and shipping biological specimens per protocol.
Coordinating courier collections for blood samples and documents.
Completing data queries and CRFs by gathering patient information and inputting data.
Accessing and managing data from Trust information systems.
Updating project databases, validating details with researchers, running queries, and generating reports.
Tracking patient activity, including expenses and financial records.
Arranging research-related follow-up appointments.
Handling patient and family enquiries professionally, escalating concerns to the consultant.
Managing patient complaints with sensitivity and ensuring timely referral.
Collecting and recording research data with meticulous attention to detail.
Exercising independent judgement to resolve issues or escalate appropriately.
Liaising with medics, nurses, admissions, medical records, specialist nurses, hospital management, and research teams to ensure smooth study operations.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women’s Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospitalis the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit theircareers page.
Research is the main part of this role, some of the research projects are recruiting patients as part of National & International research studies.
§ Assist Research Nurse with patient’s study visits and clinical trial procedures. This will include venepuncture, and vital signs (after appropriate training).
§ ILS (Intermediate Life Support) training, dependent on the research speciality.
§ Collection, processing (including centrifugation, freezing, handling of dry ice) and shipping of biological specimens according to protocol requirements.
§ Co-ordinating courier collections for blood samples and documents.
§ Assist in the process of completing data queries and other CRFs (Case Report Forms) documentation for trial sponsors. Each CRF differs according to a specific protocol. This will involve collecting information and data from patient records and inputting this data onto the CRF.
§ Access data/information from Trust information systems as required
§ Reviewing and updating project information on the database, referring to the researchers as necessary to validate the details
§ Running database queries and providing reports as requested by researchers
§ Liaise directly with outside agencies and external bodies i.e. University staff, pharmaceutical representative’s etc.
§ Maintain database to track patient activity including patient expenses and other financial records
§ Deal efficiently with enquiries from other departments or hospitals.
§ Arrange patient follow up appointments for research specific purposes.
§ Deal with enquiries from patients and their families in a sensitive, professional and capable manner, reporting any concerns directly to the consultant
§ To deal with any patient complaints sensitively and sympathetically and to ensure that they are referred to the appropriate department without delay.
§ To carry out the collection of data, and accurate completion of research documentation as appropriate, with meticulous attention to detail
§ Arrange investigations, follow-up and ensure that all results are presented to medical staff and are subsequently filed into patient’s medical records within the agreed timescale.
§ Exercise independent judgement and initiative when problems arise by taking appropriate action to resolve the problem, or by referring the problem to the appropriate person.
§ Liaison with all staff concerned within patient services e.g. medics, nurses, admissions staff, medical records, specialist nurses, hospital management, and other members of the research team.
§ To meet on a regular basis with the CRU Clinical Manager for professional support and guidance
§ To attendtrainingcourses, conferences and study days in order to remain up to date with all relevant aspects of clinical research
§ To attend research network meetings
§ Ensure the safe handling of named patient and study specific data in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Computer Misuse Act 1990
§ To ensure that all clinical research activity is ICH GCP compliant and conducted in accordance with the agreed protocols
§ To maintain a high standard of patient care in line with Trust and Directorate policies and protocols and in accordance with the Research Governance Framework.
§ Ensure own actions contribute to the maintenance of a quality service provision.
§ Compliance with Trust, Directorate and R&D policies and protocols
§ Assisting members of the research team with general clerical duties.
§ Deal with postal & telephone enquires on behalf of the research team.
§ General typing duties including answering letters, to inform GP’s of patient’s involvement in a research study
§ Ensure all medical records are in a tidy and chronological order.
§ Ensure that all filing is up to date and in a proper order.
§ Retrieval of medical records, investigation reports, etc.
§ Other general clerical duties including photocopying, faxing, sort/distribute mail
Clinical Experience
It is anticipated that the individual post-holder will meet the following requirements of the post;
§ Previous experience in research
§ The ability to work independently to plan, organise and manage own workload.
To have sufficient computer skills for the handling and management of
§ computerised data
§ To work on a daily basis with minimal supervision as part of a research team.
§ To have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
§ Effective time management skills
§ Competent in the skills of venepuncture
Co-ordination & Communication
The post-holder will work as part of the research team under the supervision of the research nurses, and will be expected to maintain the good working relationships the team has established with a range of individuals and organisations.
• The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.
• The post holder will be expected to work shift patterns
The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.
This advert closes on Thursday 17 Apr 2025