The Research Delivery Coordinator (RDC) will be working across a wide range of specialties encompassed within the recognized six National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) divisions in line with services provided at EPUT to actively promote research amongst clinicians, service users and the wider NHS Trust. One of the main responsibilities of the post holder is to support the Research Manager in engaging with Trust staff at all levels in order to encourage and support participation in NIHR portfolio adopted studies. Working alongside clinicians the RDC will collect and collate data, carry out clinical assessments and ensure clinical trials are conducted to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. This includes the provision of education and support to local study teams in relation to research studies, as well as ensuring processes are in place for study set up and project management with particular focus on safety, ethical and regulatory considerations.
The post holder takes a lead role in engaging clinicians new to research and will be a principal contact for setting up essential support systems in all services across the Trust. The post holder will work collaboratively with study teams across a range of sites offering ‘hands on’ facilitation and support. This requires skills to communicate complex information to win the confidence of colleagues and to effectively influence the opportunities for clinical research.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To engage with Trust staff at all levels to encourage and support participation in NIHR portfolio studies, w h il st i d e nti f y i ng sp e c i f i c b a r r i ers a n d o p p o r t u ni t i es.
2. To identify new NIHR research studies open to new recruitment sites with the support of the NIHR East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN).
3. To aid identification of appropriate Principal Investigators (PI), local collaborators (LC) and Sites etc. within EPUT for recruitment of participants to research studies.
4. To identify potential participants for NIHR portfolio adopted studies according to specific protocols and guidelines, and assist clinicians in obtaining informed consent from those participants. Where necessary obtaining informed consent on behalf of PIs, LCs etc.
5. Supporting research staff and sites, ensuring processes are in place for study set up and project management with particular focus on safety, ethical and regulatory considerations.
6. Proactively assist investigators and clinicians with the full research process, paying particular attention to provision of information around national guidelines, frameworks and regulation.
   EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
   Season Ticket Loans
   NHS discounts for staff
   Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
   Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
   The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
   Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
   Day One Flexible Employer
   The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
   Join our Staff bank
   What is Staff Bank?
   Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
   All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
   If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To engage with Trust staff at all levels to encourage and support participation in NIHR portfolio studies, w h il st i d e nti f y i ng sp e c i f i c b a r r i ers a n d o p p o r t u ni t i es.
2. To identify new NIHR research studies open to new recruitment sites with the support of the NIHR East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN).
3. To aid identification of appropriate Principal Investigators (PI), local collaborators (LC) and Sites etc. within EPUT for recruitment of participants to research studies.
4. To identify potential participants for NIHR portfolio adopted studies according to specific protocols and guidelines, and assist clinicians in obtaining informed consent from those participants. Where necessary obtaining informed consent on behalf of PIs, LCs etc.
5. Supporting research staff and sites, ensuring processes are in place for study set up and project management with particular focus on safety, ethical and regulatory considerations.
6. Proactively assist investigators and clinicians with the full research process, paying particular attention to provision of information around national guidelines, frameworks and regulation.
7. To facilitate the coordination and completion of required study documentation to support the delivery of the Research approval process including Research Ethics and Health Research authority Approval. The post holder will be expected to work collaboratively with study teams and relevant RDN staff.
8. To undertake feasibility assessments of NIHR research studies in conjunction with the Research Manager to inform capacity and capability assessments.
9. Where possible, in practical terms, to support the delivery of projects. This could include searching databases for potential participants, consenting patients and adhering to the requirements of the study protocol.
10. To act as a resource and support to patients and carers explaining practical aspects of research studies and working with clinical teams as required supporting delivery of research.
11. To support the Research Manager in the review and dissemination of up to date research specific information and amendments i.e. Protocol amendments etc. as necessary to personnel working on research projects.
12. To support the Research Manager in providing education on research projects to interested parties, and to promote Research within the Trust and further afield.
    Finance and Research costings
13. Develop and jointly review regularly with the Research Manager processes to ensure full costs of NIHR research studies are identified, agreed and authorised together with ensuring timely notification of the distribution of service support costs as appropriate.
    Management, Monitoring and Policy Development
14. Assist the Research Manager in the development and review of department Policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines
15. To be responsible for overseeing day to day management of allocated research projects to ensure effective administration of data collected and informing Research Manager and team as appropriate.
16. Develop effective liaison with all local services in order to contribute to the NHS research agenda and to identify areas for expansion of activity and aim to increase engagement.
17. To identify potential blocks for NIHR portfolio research that local practitioners and clinicians experience in order to inform local strategies for supporting clinical research across all services within the Trust.
18. To monitor recruitment on a weekly basis to identify areas of low recruitment and liaise with the Research Manager on potential mechanisms to improve / optimise research activity and performance for individual research sites to inform new strategies.
19. To monitor on a weekly basis the NIHR recruitment achieved against the Trust’s recruitment target and together with the Research Manager, address any specific operational needs
    Education and Training
20. To keep up to date with NHS R&D related issues, including regulations, frameworks and legislation.
21. Ensure staff receive appropriate training with regard to the specific training needs of a specific research study. This includes Venepuncture training.
22. To maintain a working knowledge of relevant Trust services in order to inform areas of research potential.
23. T o k e e p u p -t o - d a t e w i t h NIHR RDN a g e n da a n d NH S r es e arch pri o r i t i es to share information, ideas and resources where appropriate,
24. T o contribute to internal R&D team m e e t i n g s as r e q u i r e d t o d eli v er t h i s j ob r o l e, including regular review with the Research Manager of peer support meetings with research delivery staff.
25. To keep up to date with NHS R&D related issues through regular reviews of relevant websites and attendance at team meetings, project management group meetings for specific research projects and where appropriate external meetings/conferences.
26. To assist the Research Manager with the development and creation of training packages.
    Communication and Information Management
27. Accountable for ensuring accuracy and maintaining appropriate IT systems in support of research activity in conjunction with the local Trust IT departments and the NIHR East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS) EDGE database needs.
28. Expected to understand performance metrics used by the NIHR and be able to communicate performance information to a variety of professional staff.
29. Responsible for continuous monitoring and analysing of information against quality standards, developing proposals for reducing clinical risk and improving clinical care through the use of clinical systems in-line with regulations and policies and procedures.
30. Responsible for contributing to the operational implementation of clinical quality improvements in line with clinical governance standards.
31. Ensure all staff are made aware of changes required as part of the National Programme for IT and use of clinical systems.
32. Input data and information accurately and completely within agreed timeframes using the latest versions of policies and procedures in manual and electronic systems.
33. To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to specific research protocols and adheres to the Data Protection Act 1998 and according to Good Clinical Practice guidelines
34. In conjunction with specific issues, to investigate any areas of concern in relation to research and produce the information required by relevant senior management staff to assess the situation.
35. To ensure maintenance of adequate patient records and associated relevant research information is documented in the patients’ healthcare records.
36. To further develop the local research database of clinicians involved or willing to participate in NIHR portfolio clinical research.
37. To ensure the timely upload of national recruitment data to specific study databases as required, together with providing information / reports on recruitment upon request.
    Research and Audit
38. T o e v a l u a t e e ff e c t i v e n ess o f t he l oc a l s e t up e n a bli ng r es e a r ch a c t i v it y , i d e nt i f y i ng a n d r e p o r t i ng b a r r i er t o p a rt ici p a t i on i n r es e a r ch
39. T o con t r i b u t e t o t h e m a n a g e m e n t a n d c o - o r d i n a t i on of t he l oc a l p o r t f o li o of r es e a r ch s t u di es a n d ass i st i n t he i d e n t i f i c ati o n o f t he l oc a l pri o r i t i e s ass o c i ated w i t h h o s t i n g a n d c o n d u c t i n g r es e arc h .
40. T o m a i n t a i n a n d e x p a nd u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f e ff e c t i ve s tr at e g i es f o r r e c r u i tm e nt a n d r eten t i on , b e st p r actic e , l aw a n d r e g u l ati o ns ass o c i ated w i t h t he co n d u c t o f r es e arc h .
41. T o pro v i de an e x p e r t knowledge r es o u r ce f o r r es e a r ch and d e v e l o p m e n t of h i g h q u ali t y r e se a r ch.
42. Ensure all r es e a r ch and study related procedures are co n d u c t ed and recorded i n acc o r d a nce wi t h all t he r e l e v a n t national g u i d eli n e s and frameworks i n order t o pro t e c t t he r es e a r ch p a rt i c i p a nts a n d t he q u ali t y o f e a ch s t u d y .
43. To support all delivery staff in identifying participants and obtaining informed consent for Portfolio adopted studies according to specific protocols and guidelines. Together with supporting the coordination of treatments, assessments and follow ups as necessary in accordance with research protocol
44. To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants and their carers for the duration of their involvement in the research project as necessary and where appropriate providing assistance with the completion of questionnaires.
45. With appropriate training and/or relevant experience / professional qualifications to conduct assessments and take clinical samples. This could include venepuncture.
46. To arrange collection and dispatch to relevant departments or research centres of samples required as part of the research study and ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens in conjunction with local support services staff.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

• Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures
• To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage
• To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy
• To provide management supervision where appropriate