Clinical Research Fellow- Breast

This Fellowship post is for 40 hours per week and will allow a senior medical trainee to work within the Breast disease group at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This coordinated research expansion plan sits under the umbrella of the Systemic Therapy Research Group, which aims to substantially increase research output within the Department of Medical Oncology. This position is suitable for an enthusiastic and research-motivated applicant with a medical degree, who wishes to pursue a career in Medical Oncology and have an interest in gaining further research and clinical trial experience in Breast Cancers.
We encourage our fellows to publish papers and attend conferences during the fellowship and would provide support for these outputs.
The fellow appointed to this post would attend 2 research clinics each week and support the care of Breast cancer patients undertaking phase 1 – 3 clinical trial treatments on the Clinical Research facility.
In addition, the fellow will have the opportunity to learn about the management of early and advanced breast cancer on the ward and in Breast medical oncology clinics
Successful applicants will divide their time between research and a moderate clinical commitment; this may involve Clinical Research and audit activities, including protocol-writing. The post-holder will work closely with other members of the respective multidisciplinary teams and will support the consultants, specialist registrars, and Clinical Research nurses in managing the disease group clinical trial portfolios. This will facilitate more rapid clinical decision making, an increase in the number of trials opened, together with increased recruitment of patients into new and existing research protocols.
The Fellow will attend appropriate clinics per week (a maximum of two research and two NHS clinics), and multidisciplinary meetings. In addition, they will participate in Clinical Research meetings and any other relevant trial planning or trial set-up meetings. The Fellow will also spend time reviewing clinical data, writing abstracts/manuscripts, planning new studies and attending educational meetings.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Breast Research group based at the Christie is comprised of 3 consultants, research nurses and data managers who undertake a range of research and clinical trial programmes. There will also be additional team members providing direct clinical care in the outpatient areas, these include ANPs, clinical fellows, GPs and the secondary breast cancer nursing team.
The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to the care of the medical oncology Breast patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
The post holder is committed to delivering at least four of the following:
Successfully complete a clinical audit.
Actively participate in at least one national or international meeting (abstract presentation).
Successfully publish at least two first-author peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Aid income generation through assistance in development and writing of investigator-led studies/grant applications for research projects.
Increase the international profile of the Disease Group, The Christie School of Oncology and The Christie Medical Oncology Fellowship programme.
Representation from The Christie on international professional committees
The Clinical Research fellow will have the following opportunities within the Department of Medical Oncology:
Audit: Fellows play a key role in Clinical Audit as a member of The Christie Medical staff.
Clinics: Research fellows in Medical Oncology usually attend several outpatient clinics per week (seeing new referrals, follow-ups and patients on clinical trials) and are expected to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of these patients.
Clinical Governance: Fellows are 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 Consultants in the team.
Education: There are numerous courses organized annually by the School of Oncology at The Christie. Please refer to The School of Oncology website: http://www.christie.nhs.uk/school-of-oncology.aspx In addition, there is an annual research event where all Medical Oncology fellows are encouraged to present their on-going research and a little about themselves. There are also weekly teaching sessions in practical life skills related to Medical Oncology, such as interview skills, oral presentation skills, curriculum vitae preparation, media training, career development etc.
Professional Development: Fellows should also 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. There is the potential to attend international meetings to present research work and fellows are expected to be involved in writing papers and reviews and will also be required to undergo an annual appraisal.
Protocol Development: Fellows may also assist with the revision and development of evidence-based clinical trial protocols for patients.
Research: There are excellent opportunities for research within the Department. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to current research projects within the unit and/or set up new projects. The Manchester Cancer Research Centre has been established to bring together the expertise, ambition and resources of partner organizations, which include the University of Manchester, the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Research UK, in addition to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
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
The weekly timetable for the post is flexible and can be agreed with appropriate supervisors prior to commencement in post. As outlined previously, this would include a maximum of two research and two NHS clinics per week. Arrangements to visit the hospital may be made directly with key contacts indicated above within individual post descriptions.
Contacts
Arrangements to visit the hospital or to discuss the role further, may be made directly with:
Name &
Role Title
Email
Number
Dr Ciara O’Brien
Consultant medical oncologist
ciara.obrien3@nhs.net
Vicky Lau
Lead research nurse
Vicky.lau2@nhs.net
Jane Haslett-Evans
Senior research nurse
jane.haslett@nhs.net
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential for the post
Desirable for the post
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
1. ATTAINMENTS
Educational
Good Clinical Practice
Qualifications
Have been awarded MRCP (or equivalent) status.
Professional Qualifications
GMC registration
&
International Academic English Language Testing System (IELTS) proficiency (at time of commencing position) (if appropriate).
CE
Research / Publications
Experience of research.
AF/I
2. TRAINING
Experience in general
oncology and internal
medicine
Have been awarded MRCP (or equivalent) status.
AF
3. EXPERIENCE
Job Specific
Have clinical experience in Medical Oncology.
Breast cancer experience
Clinical trials
experience phase 1 -3
AF/I
Management / Audit
Experience of developing, supervising and delivering audit projects
AF/I
4. TEACHING
Experience in teaching postgraduates
AF
5. PERSONAL SKILLS
Acceptability
Be computer literate.
Pay meticulous attention to detail.
Have the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and independently with physicians, scientists, administrators at all levels.
Be able to use databases.
Experience of statistical packages for data analysis.
I
Leadership
Self- reliance
Be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Have excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and organise own workload and that of others, and be able to work to strict deadlines, using own initiative.
I
Motivation
Have a proactive and flexible approach to work and be willing to undergo training and to learn new skills, as required.
I
6. CIRCUMSTANCES
Domicile
Within 30 minutes travel time to the hospital.
I
Abbreviations for Methods of Assessment:
AF – Application Form
I – Interview
R – References
CE – Certification Evidence