Job overview
The Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) together with its academic partner The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) form the only specialist cancer NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) that supports translational clinical research into cancer diagnosis and treatment. The BRC goal is to increase cancer cure rates with smarter, kinder treatments which significantly reduce immediate and long-term side effects.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Patient & Public Involvement and Engagement (PPI/E) Coordinator in clinical research. The vision of our BRC & CRF Strategy for Involving and Engaging People in Cancer Research | TRM CancerBRC (2022-27) is to ensure that diverse public and patient voices are heard in all we do; in contributing to translational research, leading to the best cancer treatment alongside outstanding patient experiences.
This role will facilitate patient and public involvement and engagement in these ambitious programmes of work. The ideal candidate will have professional experience of patient, public and community involvement and engagement in research setting and of communicating with diverse members of the public. A working knowledge of the benefits, issues and initiatives related to PPI/E in research is essential.
Main duties of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• Develop a patient and public involvement and engagement action plan in collaboration with the Head of PPI/E, the Head of Clinical Research Infrastructure, and other stakeholders, to promote and facilitate involvement and engagement in Data Strategy projects and programmes, i.e. the IDD programme.
• Support and coordinate patient and public involvement and engagement plans in Data Science projects and programmes, i.e. the IDD programme.
• Support the Head of PPI/E with PPI/E training and support activities aimed to both professionals and patient and public contributors, i.e. record keeping, registrations and coordination. These may include virtual and online activities, the Training and Support Programme, training through Learning and Development, coaching and mentoring.
• Support the Head of PPI/E and PPI/E Coordinator (Community & Digital) with other PPI/E digital and community activities, i.e. the Cancer Patient Platform, organising and facilitating community events, workshops, focus groups and other activities.
• Actively engage and inform local partners, organisations, and communities about the NIHR BRC at the Royal Marsden and the ICR and PPI/E opportunities and encourage equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Experience in training and support will be a bonus. The post holder will always work with a high degree of discretion and initiative, respecting confidentiality of information.
This position is full-time (37 hours/week) fixed-term (1 year) contract, based in Sutton with occasional travel to Chelsea and home and/or flexible working as required and agreed with the line manager.
Experience of working in Data Science projects, including AI and or diagnostics, as well as experience of using information technology solutions to produce reports, create and maintain databases, prepare presentations, and efficiently provide information are equally essential.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Educated to degree level
Desirable criteria
2. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
3. MSc in Data Science or further qualifications
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria
4. Experience of patient, public, community and other stakeholder engagement in research setting at a level suitable to facilitate credibility and positive relations with staff, patients, members of the public and communities
5. Experience of working in research within an academic, healthcare, research charity or similar environment
6. A working knowledge of the benefits, issues and initiatives related to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPI/E)
7. Experience of engaging with diverse patients, carers and communities in a professional capacity, and understanding of their dynamics, needs and challenges
8. Experience of managing a website or digital platform
9. Experience of using information technology solutions to produce reports, create and maintain databases, prepare presentations, and efficiently provide information
10. Experience in performing data quality reviews and providing feedback and solutions to senior management
11. Experience of writing high quality reports and presenting results of work to senior colleagues and management
Desirable criteria
12. Experience of working on Data Science projects, including AI and/or Software as Medical Device
13. Experience of delivering or supporting training programmes and activities
14. Experience of writing blogs in lay format, translating academic / research work into lay language
15. Experience of using social media in a professional capacity
16. A working knowledge of Data Protection legislation
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
17. Strong relationship building skills at both public and professional level, with the ability to interact in a manner that builds sustainable trust and confidence, in patient and public involvement and community engagement
18. Good knowledge of a range of communication and engagement approaches (both patients / public and professionals)
19. Excellent team worker, able to listen and understand different points of view but also work towards a shared goal
20. Self-motivated, with a track record of working successfully on own initiative, as well as part of a team and larger organisation
21. Strong organisational and planning skills, with a proven ability to coordinate and deliver projects with a PPI/E agenda
22. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of groups and colleagues and translate academic / research language into lay language
23. Friendly, collaborative and outgoing, with excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build effective working relationships
24. Commitment to own learning and professional development and that of others
25. Computer literate, with knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams and zoom
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.
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