Clinical Research Fellow- Lower GI

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

This Fellowship will allow a senior medical trainee to work within the Lower GI disease-related group at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This coordinated research expansion plan sits under the umbrella of the Systemic Therapy Research Group, which aims to substantially increase research output within the Department of Medical Oncology, through increased delivery of innovative investigator-led studies driven by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. A key part of this process is to encourage education and empowerment of research staff at all levels, which includes training the next generation of cancer research leaders.
The post would be for an initial 12 month period with the possibility of extension dependent upon performance.
This position is suitable for an enthusiastic and research-motivated applicant with a Medical degree, who is pursuing a career in Medical Oncology and have an interest in gaining further research and clinical trial experience in the Lower GI disease group area.
The successful candidate must hold full General Medical Council (GMC) registration and have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) proficiency at the time of post commencement, as appropriate. The Fellowship is a one to two-year, full-time position to support clinical research and to provide specialist experience and training for the successful applicant.
Salary will be on the Specialist Registrar scale, starting salary within range £43,923 - £63,152 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications. There is no on-call commitment attached to this post.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

3. EXPERIENCE

Job Specific

• Have clinical experience in Medical Oncology.
• Have demonstrated commitment to Lower GI Cancers

R/I

Management / Audit

• Be able to use databases.
• Experience of statistical packages for data analysis.

5. PERSONAL SKILLS

Acceptability

• Be computer literate.
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Have a proactive and flexible approach to work, and be willing to undergo training and to learn new skills, as required.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and independently with physicians, scientists, administrators at all levels.

Leadership

Self- reliance

• Have excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and organise own workload and that of others, and be able to work to strict deadlines, using own initiative.
• Pay meticulous attention to detail.

Motivation

In addition, there is an annual research event where all Medical Oncology fellows are encouraged to present their on-going research and a little about themselves. There are also weekly teaching sessions in practical life skills related to Medical Oncology, such as interview skills, oral presentation skills, curriculum vitae preparation, media training, career development etc.

• Professional Development : Fellows should also 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 attend International meetings to present research work and fellows are expected to be involved in writing papers and reviews, and will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.
• Protocol Development: Fellows may also assist with the revision and development of evidence-based clinical trial protocols for patients.
• Research: There are excellent opportunities for research within the Department. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new projects. The Manchester Cancer Research Centre has been established to bring together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organisations, which include the University of Manchester, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Research UK, in addition to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

The medical establishment provides The Christie Department of Medical Oncology (Clinical Director, Dr Yvonne Summers) was founded in 1974 and is one of the largest Departments of Cancer Medicine in the UK. The major research remit of the Department is to develop improved methods for cancer patient management. Laboratory research is closely integrated with clinical research and service work.
There are 47 Consultants in Medical Oncology who run the clinical service and research practice. There are currently 33 Medical Oncology Clinical Research fellows and Speciality and Associate Specialist doctors working at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
The Medical Oncology Fellowship Committee was formed in 2016 to pro-actively coordinate recruitment, training and support of Medical Oncology/Haematology Clinical Fellows. More information can be found on the following website;
http://www.christie.nhs.uk/professionals/education/the-christie-international-school-of-oncology/medical-oncology-Fellowship-programme/
The Systemic Therapy Research Group was formed in 2016 to include the disease groups who prescribe systemic therapies, forming a single coordinated research group that has size-impact to drive the necessary improvements. The plan is to increase the number of world-class cancer research leaders, support them and maximise influence on developments, by focusing on attracting and delivering more investigator-led studies driven by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. A key part of this process is to encourage education and empowerment of research staff at all levels, which includes training the next generation of cancer research leaders.

The Clinical Research fellow will have the following opportunities within the Department of Medical Oncology:

• Audit: Fellows play a key role in Clinical Audit as a member of The Christie Medical staff.
• Clinics : Research fellows in Medical Oncology usually attend a number of outpatient clinics per week (seeing new referrals, follow-ups and patients on clinical trials) and are expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of these patients.
• Clinical Governance: Fellows are 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 Consultants in the team.
• Education: There are numerous courses organised annually by the School of Oncology at The Christie. Please refer to The School of Oncology website: http://www.christie.nhs.uk/school-of-oncology.aspx

In addition, there is an annual research event where all Medical Oncology fellows are encouraged to present their on-going research and a little about themselves. There are also weekly teaching sessions in practical life skills related to Medical Oncology, such as interview skills, oral presentation skills, curriculum vitae preparation, media training, career development etc.

• Professional Development : Fellows should also 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 attend International meetings to present research work and fellows are expected to be involved in writing papers and reviews, and will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.
• Protocol Development: Fellows may also assist with the revision and development of evidence-based clinical trial protocols for patients.
• Research: There are excellent opportunities for research within the Department. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new projects. The Manchester Cancer Research Centre has been established to bring together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organisations, which include the University of Manchester, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Research UK, in addition to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder is committed to delivering at least four of the following:

• Successfully complete a clinical audit.
• Actively participate in at least one national or international meeting (abstract presentation).
• Successfully publish at least two first-author peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Aid income generation through assistance in development and writing of investigator-led studies/grant applications for research projects.
• Increase the international profile of the Disease Group, The Christie School of Oncology and The Christie Medical Oncology Fellowship programme.
• Representation from The Christie on international professional committees

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
The post entails five clinic sessions per week focused on systemic therapy for patients with lower GI cancers. The clinics will give a wide exposure to adjuvant, neo-adjuvant and palliative treatment for patients with colorectal cancer as well as some exposure to patients with anal, small bowel and appendiceal cancers. The clinic exposure will include review of patients in clinical trials and study related procedures. There is no on-call commitment as part of the post. The position will provide opportunities for clinical research within the lower GI team with previous clinical fellows having developed QI projects, clinical research projects, or contributed to translational research studies, etc. These opportunities have often led to presentations at local, national and international meetings and peer reviewed publications.