Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, ambitious individual to join our Elderly Care Team. The post is based at Wansbeck General Hospital (WGH), however the successful candidate will work trustwide. There is no on call commitment.



The clinical research fellow (CRF) will receive both clinical training in Elderly Care and provide clinical support for a portfolio of clinical research. The clinical component of the post will be primarily based within the elderly assessment unit at WGH, providing an exciting opportunity to gain skills in frailty and urgent assessment.



If the successful appointee has over four years post qualification experience, they will be appointed on specialty doctor 2021 terms and conditions.

This post is open to trainees who have completed foundation training. The role and responsibilities will be adjusted according to prior experience. The fellow will provide medical support within the Clinical Research Department (CRD) for high profile clinical trials. They will work within a supportive, multidisciplinary team of research nurses, Principle Investigators, clinical trial pharmacists and study co-ordinators. They will gain experience and training in all aspects of clinical research delivery, including: study set up, recruitment, consent, pharmacovigilance, investigations, research governance and follow-up of patients.



The CRF will receive the necessary training to enable them to deliver clinical research; prior experience is not essential.



This post will be for 12 months in the first instance and will provide an ideal opportunity to undergo supervised training and gain valuable experience in the development and implementation of patient and healthy volunteer-based projects in an established clinical academic environment.



In addition the post-holder will benefit from Consultant led Educational supervision, be supported in their professional development and be



provided with training opportunities in Elderly Care.



There is an increasingly active Academic Division within NHCFT, with good links to the Medical School at Newcastle University.



The CRF will report directly to Professor Richard Walker, head of the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHCFT) PD service. They will also work very closely with designated chief and principal investigators assigned to PD research trials.



They will contribute to a range of clinical trials, supported by a number of different funding sources, including the pharmaceutical industry, charitable organisations and other funding agencies. There will be an opportunity to conduct their own audit and/or research project.

Aims:

To gain training in Elderly Care Medicine. To increase recruitment to PD National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) portfolio research studies To facilitate and encourage high quality clinical research within Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. To develop the skills and knowledge needed to conduct and deliver clinical research in the NHS.

Objectives:

To provide training in good practice in research, and the mechanisms for recruitment to portfolio studies. To provide the CRF with training in research methods; critical appraisal; project management; data analysis

Directorate/Service:

The funding for this job comes from both the NIHR and the department of care of the elderly at NHCFT. The NHCFT multidisciplinary PD service includes the following staff:



Professor Richard Walker - North Tyneside area



Dr James Fisher - South Northumberland



Dr John Adamson - North Northumberland



Dr Liesl Allcock - West Northumberland



Dr Anke Wehrkamp - Associate Specialist



Dr Ellen Tullo - Associate Specialist