Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Research and Innovation Division at The Christie. We are looking to appoint a Clinical Research Fellow to the Melanoma research team.

This post presents an opportunity to join an established research team with a varied portfolio of clinical trials as a Clinical Research Fellow. The Melanoma disease research team is responsible for a varied portfolio of academic and commercial clinical trials.

This is a 10 session SpR equivalent Trust Grade post. It is based at the Christie site in the department of Medical Oncology. This position is suitable for individuals who wish to gain specialist training and experience in the care of patients with melanoma, and further training in early phase clinical trials. The Melanoma Team is a multi-disciplinary team of surgeons, oncologists and research staff. The team is a major contributor to clinical and translational research

The post will offer experience in cutting edge research in personalised medicine and immunotherapy, Early Phase trials, and experience in managing complex cases in an academic tertiary care centre with an international reputation. In addition, there are ongoing projects in toxicity management, late effects and on the use of big data and interrogation of national data-sets. It is expected the successful applicant will publish a number of papers as a result of their attachment, and there will be an opportunity to develop novel research projects.



To work as a Clinical Research Fellow at the Christie under the supervision of Professor Paul Lorigan, Dr Avinash Gupta, Dr Patricio Serra and Dr Rebecca Lee. This will involve close liaison with other members of the multidisciplinary team in particular surgeons, research nurses and data managers. A major role of the post will be to implement evidence based best practice for patients who are being treated on clinical trials at the Christie and to develop and support associated clinical research.

To work closely with and support the team in the management of patients with melanoma. An important role of the Clinical Fellow will be to have direct involvement in the day-to-day clinical management of patients under the supervision of the consultant whether or not they are being managed within the confines of a clinical trial, and to attend relevant MDTs, radiology and educational meetings.

The Clinical Fellow will be required to support research and NHS clinics, typically 4 clinics per week

The post does not attract an on-call commitment.



The Melanoma disease team is a small team of nurses and consultants with clinical trial coordination and project management support. The portfolio is driven to deliver treatment opportunities to as many patients with Melanoma at The Christie as possible.

There is a close working relationship with all members of the team with a strategy to increase recruitment into these niche protocols thus offering patients more opportunities to be involved in clinical research. We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated individual to join our team, to help develop streamlined ways of cross-team working and to provide our research patients with the best possible experience.

The team is highly collaborative in its working practices in order to promote the teams achievements throughout the R&I division, NIHR and with our commercial sponsors with regular reviews of performance & clinical trial feasibilities and service improvement to ensure the highest possible experience for the team and our patients and their families.



ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

This post is for a 12-month fixed term contract for a clinical Fellow to join the Medical Oncology

melanoma service for 40 hours per week.

This post is for 40 hours per week



Role Purpose

This is a 10 session SpR equivalent Trust Grade post. It is based at the Christie site in the department

of Medical Oncology. This position is suitable for individuals who wish to gain specialist training and

experience in the care of patients with melanoma, and further training in early phase clinical trials.

The Melanoma Team is a multi-disciplinary team of surgeons, oncologists and research staff. There

are 4 plastic surgeons, 2 clinical oncologists, 4 medical oncologists and a large clinical research team.

The oncology team covers a population of > 3.5 million and sees approximately 2250 new patients a

year with high-risk primary or advanced disease. The team is a major contributor to clinical research

at a national and international level. We work closely with colleagues in the CRUK Manchester

Institute, one of 3 CRUK Super Centres in the UK, and with colleagues at the University of

Manchester (, Dr Adam Hurlstone). Manchester Cancer Research Centre has prioritised melanoma

as one of six areas in which it will be internationally leading in research.

The post will offer experience in cutting edge research in personalised medicine and

immunotherapy, Early Phase trials methodology and conduct, and experience in managing complex

cases in an academic tertiary care centre with an international reputation. In addition, there are

ongoing projects inn toxicity management, late effects and on the use of big data and interrogation

of national data-sets. It is expected the successful applicant will publish a number of papers as a

result of their attachment, and there will be an opportunity to develop novel research projects.

The role will be responsible for:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Main Duties:

To work as a Clinical Fellow at the Christie under the supervision of Professor Paul Lorigan, Dr Avinash Gupta, Dr Patricio Serra and Dr Rebecca Lee. This will involve close liaison with other members of the multidisciplinary team in particular surgeons, research nurses and data managers. A major role of the post will be to implement evidence based best practice for patients who are being treated on clinical trials at the Christie and to develop and support associated clinical research.

2. Clinical Management:

to work closely with and support the team in the management of patients with melanoma. An important role of the Clinical Fellow will be to have direct involvement in the day-to-day clinical management of patients under the supervision of the consultant whether or not they are being managed within the confines of a clinical trial, and to attend relevant MDTs, radiology and educational meetings.

3. Clinics:

the Clinical Fellow will be required to support research and NHS clinics, typically 4

clinics per week:

examples - Monday am (treatment and research), Monday pm (new and

follow-up), Wednesday pm (new, FU and treatments), Thursday (new).

4. Protocols:

the post holder will be expected to revise and develop evidence-based protocols

for patients. He/she will be expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with

the care of these patients.

5. Professional Development:

He/she will maintain a level of continuing professional

development consistent with the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians.

Appropriate arrangements for study leave will be made in conjunction with colleagues. A

fund, administered by the Director of Service for the support of study leave exists within the

Trust. The post holder will also be required to undergo an appraisal.

6. Junior Doctor Training:

the post holder will be expected to contribute actively to the training

of ST1 & 2s in medical oncology and of medical students from the University of Manchester

The post holder will also be expected to help in the training of nursing and multidisciplinary

staff in both inpatient and outpatient departments.

7. Clinical Governance:

the post holder will be expected to participate in all relevant aspects of

clinical governance, including maintaining up to date protocols, guidelines and clinical audit,

under the supervision of the other consultants in the unit.

8. Audit:

the appointee will play a full role in clinical audit as a member of the Christie Hospital

Medical Staff.

9. Research:

there are excellent opportunities for research within the department. The

appointee will be encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit

and/or set up new projects in consultation with supervisors. Successful candidates will be

encouraged to submit research findings for presentation at national or international

meetings and will be supported to attend these.

On call:

the post does not attract an on-call commitment.



Continuing Professional Development

The Trust supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.



Role Planning



Provisional Sessional Timetable for Clinical Fellow in Medical Oncology

Proposed Sessional Activities:

CLINICAL

Outpatients Clinic 4

Ward Rounds 1

MDT 0.25

Clinical meeting/Morbidity and mortality meeting 0.5

Support of research nurses/data managers 1-2

Personal research and CPD 3-4



A sessional activity is 4 hours



Monday



Tuesday



Wednesday



Thursday



Friday



AM



Research clinic



Educational meeting (once a month) Personal Research &

CPD

Support for research

nurses/data managers



Ward round Support

research staff



Personal research &

CPD

Support for research

nurses/data

managers

Weekly research

meeting



Personal research

& CPD



PM



Clinic



Research clinic

Specialist meeting

(once a month)



Clinic



MDT alternate weeks Clinic



Personal research

& CPD

Support research

staff