Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication

1. To champion the CRF project to executives, senior managers and clinicians within the Trust.
2. To engage with key groups and individuals across both the Trust (internal theme leads, research active departments and investigators), and external academic and commercial partners, to ensure ongoing collaborative research relationships are established, and effective project delivery achieved.
3. To oversee liaison with pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organisations during the set-up, interventional and follow up phases of commercial studies.
4. Develop relationships with other CRFs across the UK CRF Network in order to operationalise collaboration on projects or wider initiatives, in particular the LUHFT CRU.
5. To develop and maintain links with key partners and initiatives including the North West CRF Alliance, GOSH BRC PaediatricExcellence Initiative and CRF Managers Network.
6. To routinely report performance information, including progress against NIHR short, medium and long term objectives, to key internal and external committees.
7. Deliver formal presentations to large groups of stakeholders.

Analytical Skills

1. Analysis of CRF performance data to determine trends and patterns e.g. analysis of proportion of early phase and experimental medicine trials over time, and collate these data into reports (e.g. Trust committees, NIHR annual reports)
2. Interpretation of trends and patterns to inform options to progress.
3. Use of expert judgement to recommend and/or implement options.
4. Manage the publicity and promotion of the CRF including planning and coordination of open days and events. Seek opportunities to promote the CRF as a centre of excellence.
5. Oversee the development and on-going maintenance of the CRF website and social media accounts (i.e. X) as channels for both internal and external communication.

Planning and Organising Skills

1. Responsible for the day-to-day running of the non-clinical aspects of the CRF, including facilities and information management.
2. Taking into account the AHCRF objectives, Trusts overall strategy, Trust research strategy, develop and implement a range of plans to improve CRF engagement and performance across departments and services across the Trust.
3. Be responsible for the operational delivery of the research programme.
4. Take action to address project underperformance.
5. In conjunction with the CRF Director, Deputy and senior management team, plan and produce the CRF annual report, quarterly reports to NIHR CCF, and ensuring that planning requirements are regularly updated for the forthcoming six months.

Physical Skills

1. Standard keyboard skills.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

1. Contribute to the development of clinical and research policies and procedures.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

1. Work with the senior management team to develop and implement an income strategy for the CRF to ensure the long-term financial stability of the CRF.
2. To have responsibility for the departmental budget and physical resources and their effective utilization.
3. Responsible for management of the CRF budget.
4. Provide reports to divisional and Trust committees on financial matters relevant to the CRF.
5. Liaise with investigators and research support team to provide estimated costs for proposed CRF research studies.
6. Manage the ordering of medical equipment, supplies, services and equipment, ensuring that competitive quotes are obtained, and resources are effectively and efficiently utilised.
7. Provide regular reporting to NIHR on utilisation of funds.
8. Responsible for the on-going management of the CRFs medical equipment. Develop and maintain inventories appropriate for good resource management and ensure that systems are in place for safety testing, servicing and maintenance as appropriate.
9. Responsible for procurement of new equipment, furniture & fittings and ensure that purchases are underpinned by maintenance contracts where appropriate.
10. Liaison with Estates and external suppliers in planning and implementing any repairs, improvements or other building works.
11. Jointly with the Matron, be responsible for the Health and Safety of patients, visitors and staff ensuring that all incidents, accidents and hazards are reported according to the Trusts incident reporting mechanisms and that the CRF provides a safe environment for research. Conduct risk assessments where appropriate.
12. Be responsible for undertaking regular business continuity planning for the CRF and implementing any necessary changes, with support from the wider team.

Responsibility for Human Resources

1. Develop and co-ordinate the established national online teaching/training programme.
2. Promote sharing of best practice through regular team meetings and externally with other UKCRFs
3. Co-ordination of placement staff and students.
4. Supervision of external visitors and contractors to CRF.

Responsibility for Information Resources

1. Responsible for updating and maintaining CRF related information e.g. ward occupancy.
2. Responsible for quality assurance of CRF related data on Trust systems.
3. Responsible for creating reports to support performance and reporting.
4. Collation of data for, and writing of, NIHR annual report

Responsibility for Research and Development

1. Routinely oversee the operational aspects of clinical R&D activity within the CRF in conjunction with the matron.
2. Conduct customer satisfaction questionnaires, user and patient surveys to monitor departmental performance and develop action plans to address any issues raised.
3. Provide assurance that medical equipment is appropriately tested.
4. Maintain a thorough working knowledge of current research governance and EU Clinical trial legislation, guidance and policies and ensure these are adhered to by staff in conjunction with the research governance manager
5. Maintain a working knowledge of issues relating to delivering clinical research studies in a paediatric setting.
6. Maintain awareness of local Trust policies relating to research and its governance and ensure all staff comply with these.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

• Educated to masters level in a subject relevant to the role or equivalent relevant experience.
• Project management qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable

• Valid GCP certificate

Experience

Essential

• Management within a clinical research environment.
• Working with clinicians and other health care professionals.
• Engaging with commercial and academic partners.
• Experience of effective budgetary management and control, including achieving annual targets on a regular basis.
• Managing organisational change.
• Presenting to large groups of staff or members of the public.

Desirable

• Management experience within a paediatric setting within the NHS.

Knowledge

Essential

• Research practice within the NHS.
• The NIHR and its KPIs.
• Operations and project management.
• Financial principles and processes.
• IT systems and processes for research and performance management.

Desirable

• Paediatric research practice with the NHS.
• EDI principles.

Skills

Essential

• Highly developed interpersonal and facilitation skills, with ability to gain and maintain credibility at all levels of the organisation, including with senior clinicians and external partners.
• Political awareness - ability to perceive impact of actions on the decisions and activities of others.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to respond effectively to multiple priorities.
• Ability to interpret national guidance relating to research.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information.
• Ability to propose changes to practice and lead on service development.
• Ability to communicate with staff and colleagues at all levels.
• Time management skills, able to meet deadlines, and work with several projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and listening skills.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Able to work independently.
• Composed and resilient.
• Team worker.
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
• Treats others with courtesy and respect at all times.
• Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .

Employer details

Employer name

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Eaton Road Liverpool,

Liverpool

L12 2AP

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