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Experimental Medicine Division
Job description and person specification
Job title
Clinical Research Fellow
Division
Medical Sciences
Department
Experimental Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine
(NDM)
Location
Department of Dermatology, Churchill Hospital, Headington,
Oxford
Grade and
advertised salary
Grade E64 - £30,992 - £49,670 per annum
Hours
37.5 hrs p/w (Full Time)
Contract type
Fixed term, 6 months in the first instance (From 1 October 2010)
Reporting to
Principal Investigator
Vacancy reference
HBA040
Introduction
The University
Oxford was the first University in the English-speaking world. Our aim is to remain at the
forefront of centres of learning, teaching and research.
Students from more than a hundred and forty countries and territories make up a student
population of over twenty thousand. Over a third comes from outside the United Kingdom.
But it is not just longevity and global reach that mark Oxford out and give the University its
special character. There is also our distinctive college and tutorial system which underpins
a culture of close academic supervision and careful personal support for our outstanding
students. Our colleges and halls of which there are more than forty also help to foster the
intense interdisciplinary approach that inspires much of the outstanding research
achievement of the University and makes Oxford a leader in so many fields.
For more information please visit www.ox.ac.uk
Medical Sciences Division
The Medical Sciences Division is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for
biomedical and clinical research and teaching, and the largest academic division in the
University of Oxford.
World-leading programmes, housed in state-of-the-art facilities, cover the full range of
scientific endeavour from the molecule to the population. With our NHS partners we also
foster the highest possible standards in patient care.
For more information please visit: www.medsci.ox.ac.uk
Experimental Medicine
Experimental Medicine is part of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine. We have
staff based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Peter Medawar and
Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine sites.
Research within Experimental Medicine spans fundamental basic science to translational
and experimental medicine approaches including clinical trials. We seek to understand the
pathophysiology of disease and apply this knowledge to develop enhanced diagnostics
and treatments for human disease.
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Experimental Medicine's thematic research includes immunology, dermatology, stroke
medicine, geratology, behavioural science, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, palliative
care and respiratory medicine. The research is undertaken within different groups and
research units and includes clinical trials.
For more information please visit: www.expmedndm.ox.ac.uk/home
The role
Overview of the role
This is a post funded through the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The post is funded
by and appointed to the University of Oxford. An application will be made for an honorary
NHS contract. The aim of this appointment is to facilitate and expand clinical and basic
scientific research within the Unit in all aspects of dermatology.
The clinical unit in Dermatology is based at the Churchill Hospital and offers a wide range
of services including; tumour, allergy, patch, paediatrics, vulval, blister, phototherapy,
wound healing, laser and surgery.
The Dermatology clinical approach is multidisciplinary, with teams of medical and nursing
staff working closely together. The clinical approach is integrated with the department’s
research interests, with many clinical staff also involved in research projects.
The Dermatology Service provides clinical care and professional education for Oxfordshire
and surrounding counties. All parts of the team are involved in providing professional
education both within the hospital, to the local community and nationally. Please see
Appendix A for more information about the team.
This post would include the development and management of clinical trials within the Unit
and will be responsible to Dr Graham Ogg. You will acquire specialist knowledge and
provide support and advice for patients in clinical studies and trials. An essential role will
also be to facilitate basic scientific research. You will be expected to play an integral part
of taking consent and samples from participants for clinical studies
The post holder will be expected to work closely with clinical staff. In addition, the work
requires contact and liaison with all members of the department and external
organisations.
Responsibilities/duties
Clinical Practice and Research
The post holder will have primary responsibility for managing clinical trials. Responsibilities
include:
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Manage and co-ordinate clinical trials and other research studies together with
other clinicians, the dermatology nurses and industry. This will involve hands-on
dermatology work with both assessing and treating patients within your
competencies.
Recruit patients to the trials and to monitor and evaluate the patients throughout the
trials, including the taking of patient samples (which may include blood and skin).
Provide support and advice to patients in the trials.
Provide expert clinical advice to nurses, members of the multi-disciplinary team and
primary care regarding the service.
Promote effective communication and liaison with the multidisciplinary team,
primary care and drug companies.
Adhere to the GMC Codes of Conduct and Good Clinical Practice at all times.
Provide accurate record keeping of case report forms both on paper and computer.
Monitor and help develop dermatology databases.
Liaise and provide effective communication with Ethics and Research Development
and other regulatory organisations.
Act as autonomous practitioner taking responsibility for clinical decisions where you
are competent to do so.
Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of any other person
who may be affected by your acts of omission, with particular reference to the
University of Oxford’s Health and Safety policies.
Management and Organisation
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Plan your own workload and take responsibility for managing and planning for the
clinical trial service.
Complete managerial and organisational responsibility for recruitment, monitoring
and evaluation of the clinical trials and research studies.
Promote effective communication within the multi-disciplinary team to ensure
collaborative working practices.
Adhere to all local policies.
Investigate and act on untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies,
injury or drug administration errors as detailed in local protocols and procedures.
Implement health and safety regulations that apply to staff and patients in the
clinical area and monitor compliance with the procedures.
Plan trial visits according to the study protocol, with due consideration of volunteers’
availability and the need to co-ordinate with other users of shared clinic space.
Communicate effectively with patients, the Chief Investigator and the Research
team.
Present results as a verbal presentation or written report.
Assist with maintenance of complete, accurate, organised study files.
Professional Development and Education
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Continually update medical practice in accordance with current research.
Develop and maintain a healthy clinical learning environment.
Accept responsibility for own personal and professional growth.
Provide a competent knowledge base for research skills.
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Person specification
The selection criteria for this role are as follows:
Essential
 Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP).
 At least six months post-registration experience in an acute clinical environment
(medical or surgical assessment, critical care)
 Full General Medical Council Registration
 Ability to work effectively as part of a team, as well as independently.
 Be fluent in both written and spoken English
 Evidence of continuing professional development.
 Methodical approach to data gathering and recording of data.
 Excellent oral and written communication skills.
 Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to be comfortable and confident
interacting with volunteers in a research study, team members, laboratory and
administrative staff, monitors, and the broader research community.
 Ability to work flexibly with regard to duties and hours worked, with the priority being
meeting the team research goals.
 Excellent organisational skills.
 Experience with working in a multi-disciplinary team.
 Competent in the use of email and standard PC packages (spreadsheets,
databases, etc.)
 Background acceptable for honorary NHS contract.
Desirable
 Experience of clinical trials, including those that are GCP-compliant, and of the
process of obtaining and maintaining regulatory and ethics approvals.
 Understanding of research methodology.
Please ensure that your supporting statement demonstrates how you meet these selection
criteria.
Application Process
Completed applications should be sent to the Personnel Officer, Experimental Medicine
Division, Nuffield Dept of Clinical Medicine, Room 5800, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford,
OX3 9DU or e-mail to personnel@ndm.ox.ac.uk. Please quote the reference HBA040.
The closing date for applications is Friday 24th September 2010.
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Appendix A
Dermatology Clinical Activity
The Dermatology outpatient appointments 2008-2009:
Sub-specialty
Outpatients first attends
Outpatients follow up
attends
Outpatient child first
attends
Outpatient child follow up
attends
Day cases
Out patient procedures
10639
14323
994
996
2167
1182
Staffing
Consultants
Name
Special Interest
Jonathan Bowling
Sue Burge
Sue Cooper
John Reed
Richard Turner
Vanessa Venning
Graham Ogg
Neil Walker (Hon)
Skin cancer, hair & nail, dermoscopy, surgery
Paediatric dermatology
Contact dermatitis, vulval disease
Skin cancer, surgery, allergy, eczema
Skin cancer, surgery, male genital dermatoses
Immunobullous diseases, light therapy
Allergy
Laser, surgery
Junior medical
SpR / ST
4
SHO/F1
3
Other Staffing
Administrator Manager
Outpatient staff
Secretaries
Administrators
Senior clerks
Specialist nurses
Business manager
1
10
5
2
2
9
1
6