Stroke Research Manager

at  Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The post-holder will be responsible for the operational delivery of the Stroke research service’s recruitment and follow-up of patients into National Institute Health Research (NIHR) portfolio adopted studies. Working alongside the Clinical Stroke research lead, this will entail portfolio development, operational delivery including managing a core research team, overseeing good governance and assisting with financial oversight, amongst other duties.
The post will be responsible for planning, developing and delivering the stroke research portfolio in two secondary care settings. Portfolio development entails setting up and coordinating a broad portfolio of commercial and non-commercial trials and studies - this may include preparing submissions for ethics and regulatory approval, supporting feasibility reviews and trial set-up from inception to completion.
As the operational lead, the post will direct the service’s recruitment of hyperacute patients within the first few hours of admission in A&E, and acute and sub-acute stroke patients on the wards and in outpatient clinics. In addition to recruitment, the post will be responsible for ensuring the team collects trial data, completes follow-ups and responds to queries as required in a timely and accurate fashion.

Portfolio development

• Lead the development of the stroke research portfolio, including set-up of and coordination a broad portfolio of NIHR adopted commercial and non-commercial interventional trials and observational studies
• Assist in process of gaining local regulatory approval before trial commencement. This will entail reviewing feasibility of new trials including resource and funding implications and, for King’s Sponsored studies, submitting to regulatory authorities (HRA, REC, MHRA) where required
• Liaise with local supporting departments (CT Pharmacy, Neuroradiology) regarding set-up and ongoing delivery to promote a good working environment, integration of research within and open channels of communication

Operational delivery

• Lead an established multidisciplinary research team of Research Nurses, Coordinators and Administrators across two sites
• Provide effective supervision and line management to the clinical research team
• To assist with recruitment, development, training and all others aspects of people managing including performance management, sickness etc.
• Delegation of trial related activities to research team members (clinical and administrative)
• Be accountable for the service and management activities, to ensure smooth running and efficient day-to-day operation of research activities

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King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Analysis and Research

• Work closely with other members of core the research team including Research Nurses, Research Coordinators and Research Administrator in data collection, providing training and on-going support
• Monitor data quality; and perform routine data cleaning, to achieve an accurate and complete dataset. Monitor online data entry, checking for inconsistencies, violations and adverse events
• Monitor the progress of research activities including preparation of periodic performance review and ad hoc reports as required by investigators, the wider research team, funding agencies and regulatory bodies
• Provide senior management with project status reports, advise on best project management practice and identify areas that need improvement

Planning and Organising

• Work closely with King’s R&I and KHP CTO to optimise the study set up process
• Facilitate study set-up at participating sites; and continue to oversee the clinical operations throughout the lifetime of the trial, including recruitment, informed consent procedure, visit co-ordination and visit scheduling
• Support clinicians and research staff in maximising recruitment and follow up participation. Identify any barriers to effective recruitment and follow up, and seek solutions in conjunction with the other members of the research team.
• Deal promptly and efficiently with any queries, acknowledging all communication and ensuring efficient flow of information
• Plan and organise own and other administration staff workloads effectively and efficiently, completing tasks within tight time constraints.

Decision Making

• Develop and implement a strategy for recruiting patients, identify barriers and strategies to overcome
• Responsible for identifying significant and critical risks/issues affecting the progress of the service , able to take immediate corrective action and communicate issues to the Clinical Stroke research lead in a timely and coherent fashion
• Responsible for identifying documentation, training and administrative requirements with respect to trial management, and contributing to these appropriately
• Monitor developments in the legal and regulatory frameworks for the conduct of clinical trials. Disseminate to appropriate staff and update project documentation appropriately

Communication and Stakeholder Relationships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Work closely and maintain excellent communication with the Clinical Stroke research lead, Investigators and the wider clinical team
• Establish and maintain good communications with colleagues, including clinicians, therapists, nurses etc. Ensure good channels of communication with other departments in the NHS and the university, as well as with external stakeholder
• Participate and represent service at local and national research meetings as appropriate e.g. South London Clinical Research Network and Hyperacute Stroke Research Centre (HSRC) committee meetings
• Provide a highly effective and responsive approach to problem resolution
• Provide regular feedback on the progress of the service including recruitment performance against targets

Problem Solving

• Recognise and resolve issues within the areas of trial management, flagging critical issues to the Clinical Stroke research lead in a timely fashion. This will include reporting adverse incidents and near misses via the Trust’s online incident reporting form (Datix)
• Proactively employ risk management techniques in project management, ensuring smooth flow of activity throughout
• Maintain proper documentation in line with Data Protection and Confidentiality laws, Good Clinical Practice and trust policies and guidelines.
• Adopt a proactive approach to workload management and problem solving, using initiative and judgement.
• Respond accordingly in the event a Corrective Action Prevention Action (CAPA) or Datix is raised for the service

Travel and Job Demands

• The nature of the post may require regular working outside of normal office hours. The post – holder should be open to undertaking flexible hours of work
• The work of the post may require attendance at meetings away from King’s College Hospital, including overnight stays

Please refer the Job description for details