Job overview
An opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Senior Assistant Practitioner post within the Neuro-Oncology research team.
Ideally the postholder should have previous clinical research experience in the field of cancer would be helpful. To be educated to degree level, you will work within the guidelines and policies for the conduct of clinical trials, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with the principles of GCP.
The successful applicant should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently. In addition; excellent communication, administrative and IT skills and being supportive and open to new initiatives are particularly valued by the team.
The success
What’s in it for you?
• Opportunities to develop your clinical and research skills.
• Continuous on-going learning with internal and external courses available.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will primarily work under the supervision of the Senior Research Nurses or Lead Research Nurse within the Neuro-oncology team at Sutton. The Senior Assistant Practitioner (SAP) is an essential and valued member of the team appointed to support registered nurses in the delivery of care to patients participating in Neuro-oncology clinical trials.
The post holder will also be autonomous in their workload and responsible for recruiting to and coordinating an agreed portfolio of non-interventional research projects inclusive of biological sample processing (training will be provided). Responsibilities will include day to day management under direct and indirect supervision of experienced research staff, identifying patients through MDTs (multi-disciplinary teams)/screening notes, explaining certain studies to patients prior to informed consent, collecting ‘on treatment’ and ‘follow-up’ data, designing databases for local studies and/or completing data entry where needed, and liaising with external trial centres for multi-centre studies. The post holder may also be delegated to assist with Quality-of-Life questionnaires (paper or electronic) and associated data collection, through discussion with patients.
The SAP will work closely with the multi-disciplinary team including medical staff, research nurses and coordinators, site-specific teams and oncology groups, clinical nurse specialists, clinic staff and radiographers for various research studies.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
2.1 Develop tumour site-specific knowledge in order to enhance practice.
2.2 To perform specific interventions as identified by competency achievement to enhance the delivery of care, such as venepuncture, cannulation and biological specimen processing and to be aware of own competency limitations.
2.3 Provide support and reassurance to patients, referring them to the appropriate units or team members as necessary.
2.4 To consistently adhere to requirements to protect patient’s rights, dignity and confidentiality throughout their treatment.
2.5 Work autonomously screening patients’ suitability for entry into non-interventional research studies, by attending MDTs or clinics, liaising with medical personnel or searching patient case notes exercising judgment and knowledge of trial eligibility criteria.
2.6 Liaise with relevant trial patients directly, maintaining adequate study records and ensuring all relevant information is documented in the patients’ medical and nursing notes.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. A Levels/ BTEC in relevant subjects
2. Degree or Foundation Degree in Science or Health & Social Care, or equivalent qualification
3. National Care Certificate
Desirable criteria
4. Post registration oncology qualification or equivalent relevant qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Proven healthcare or patient facing experience.
6. Experience of research and development, science or health and social care
7. Experience in data management, data collection and data entry in clinical trials or healthcare
8. Evidence of completing specific competencies for the role (ECG, height and weight, observations, blood sampling, and tissue handling)
Desirable criteria
9. Experience in dealing with Oncology patients.
10. Experience and involvement in the informed consent process.
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Knowledge of common medical terms and conditions, hospital departments and research staff roles
12. Excellent communication skills and ability to facilitate collaborative working relationships
13. Ability to work autonomously and within multi-disciplinary team
14. Ability to organise and prioritise own workload, with good attention to detail
15. Computer literate in Microsoft outlook, office, word, excel and PowerPoint
16. Ability to cope with emotional demands of working in oncology setting
Desirable criteria
17. Knowledge of cancer terminology
18. Understanding of psychosocial needs of oncology patients
19. Knowledge and understanding of research methods
20. Patient assessment skills
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.