Job summary
Barts Health NHS Trust
Senior Clinical Research Fellow Post (ST3+ Level) in Cardiology
Barts Heart Centre
Job Reference Number: 259-MED540SBH
Applications are invited for a whole time Senior Clinical Research Fellow post (ST3+ level) in Cardiovascular-Disease (CVD) prevention and specialised cardiology. The post is available from April 2024 and is funded for 18 months.
This is an exciting opportunity to work at the Barts Heart Centre (BHC), which is Europe's largest cardiac center, providing world class services in all major cardiac subspecialties. A unique element of Barts is its preventative cardiology offering. This incorporates a large regional CVD risk and lipids service, specialist hypertension clinics, cardiac rehabilitation and close links with diabetes and obesity specialists. The CVD risk and lipids service treats patients with premature CAD (<45yrs), those with family histories of premature CVD and advanced dyslipidemia including Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH). Specialist prescribing of PCSK9 inhibitors and all advanced secondary prevention therapies are offered through this service.
Previous experience in general cardiology at ST3+ level or equivalent is essential as is MRCP (UK) or equivalent. Current full GMC registration with a license to practice is essential.
Main duties of the job
This post is intended as a two-year clinical research post, in partnership with Verve Therapeutics. The primary responsibility will be to support recruitment to the groundbreaking Verve 101 and 102 phase 1 trials for genetic editing for lifelong cholesterol lowering in patients with FH or premature CAD. The fellow will have support to complete a research MD, registered at UCL, broadly in CVD risk/ coronary artery disease, but this will be tailored to the candidate's interests. The fellow will also gain training in preventative cardiology and be expected to support the clinical service with specialist outpatient clinics.
This post is suitable for someone with a good grounding in general medicine and cardiology, wishing to pursue a dedicated period of research, and ideally with an interest in coronary artery disease and prevention. Opportunities for advanced training in preventative cardiology and a relevant area such as cardiac CT, could be accommodated for the right candidate.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To drive recruitment to VERVE 101 and VERVE 102 phase 1 trials. Barts is a patient identification site, so the fellow will be expected to identify and approach patients across the site(s) with either Familial Hypercholesterolaemia and/or premature CAD, who may be eligible for recruitment, providing brief information about the study and explore willingness to participate. If a patient is interested, to then liaise with Richmond Pharmacology to refer onwards. Richmond Pharmacology is a specialist trial unit who will consent and conduct more detailed selection before dosing any included participants.
To support the clinical services of the CVD prevention department. This primarily includes the CVD risk and Lipids clinic but other areas may be included depending on the candidates training needs. Responsibilities will include running outpatient clinic lists, supporting MDTs, contributing to Advice and Guidance for GPs, responding to clinical queries and referrals, and support with genetic testing among other routine clinical activities of the department.
To develop and pursue research ideas in the CVD risk, prevention and CAD space with the support of the consultant body. This can be done in the framework of an MD research degree or as isolated research projects, depending on the candidates preference for seeking a higher degree. If one is sought, we would expect the candidate to register the degree at either UCL or QMUL.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. The applicant must have achieved a primary medical qualification as recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC