Clinical Research Practitioner

Overview

We’re looking for a full time Band 5 Clinical Research Practitioner to coordinate and deliver clinical research studies at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, including recruitment at St Mary’s Hospital and the Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital. The successful candidate will either be a registered Clinical Research Practitioner with the Academy of Healthcare Sciences or working towards registration. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to contribute to the development of clinical research for people with and at risk of cancer within the Breast Research Team.

We have an extensive portfolio of NIHR academic and commercial clinical trials. The role involves recruiting patients to trials, obtaining informed consent where appropriate, supporting patients enrolled in trials, and ensuring study interventions are completed according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Trust standards. The role includes collecting blood, breast milk and nipple aspirate fluid samples and conducting structured interviews (training will be provided).

You will work within a supportive team of experienced clinical research nurses and the clinical trial administration team.

Location details: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, with activity at St Mary’s Hospital and the Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

• The post will involve coordinating a portfolio of research studies across different specialties within the Trust.
• Ideal for individuals with an interest in Breast and experience in a busy clinical/research environment who wish to further develop their skills.
• Recruit patients to clinical trials, obtain informed consent where appropriate, support participants and carers, and ensure trial interventions comply with protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Collect biological samples (e.g., blood, breast milk, nipple aspirate fluid) and conduct structured interviews (training provided).
• Collaborate with a team of clinical research nurses and trial administration staff.
• Provide induction support and training to new and existing trials staff; develop training sessions and guidance documents.
• Encourage sharing of best practice and disseminate information through regular structured meetings with trials staff.
• Assist with metric tracking for performance indicators (e.g., training, recruitment timelines, target achievement), amendment timelines, and divisional absences.
• Coordinate feasibility activities for new studies under direction from Clinical Research Nurse Team Leaders and Principal Investigators.
• Manage setup and initiation of allocated clinical trials within assigned Clinical Research Teams.
• Understand and deliver protocols in accordance with regulatory requirements; manage financial aspects of study setup and income recovery with relevant teams.
• Maintain Investigator Site Files and essential documentation per ICH-GCP and Trust SOPs; ensure inspection readiness.
• Assist with audit preparation and action plans; secure NHS permissions (R&D approvals) before patient recruitment where you are project lead.
• Record all trial activities in appropriate systems; monitor and meet disease-specific targets for recruitment.
• Arrange and facilitate trial-related meetings; perform general administrative tasks as delegated; coordinate reporting mechanisms and ensure data for meetings is up to date.
• Attend project meetings, investigator meetings (virtual or in person) and disease-specific team meetings to maintain overview of activity.
• Adhere to Trust archiving guidelines for documents; participate in monitoring and audit activities within the team.
• Act as a primary contact point for trial patients and advise other healthcare professionals as appropriate.

• Demonstrate awareness of divisional and Trust strategic objectives, performance indicators, and metrics.
• Escalate governance issues that impact delivery of job purpose.
• Participate in monitoring and audit activities within the research team.

• Maintain professional development and evaluate knowledge with assistance from the line manager to satisfy the NHS Knowledge and Skills…