DUTIES OF THE POST

Title: Respiratory Clinical Research Fellow

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, ambitious individual to join our
Respiratory Team.

The Respiratory Team have a pedigree of leading and delivering high quality research
projects, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological trials, across a broad range
of sub-specialties. As example, Professor Stephen Bourke has led a highly successful
COPD research programme that has influenced national and international practice,
and research activity is embedded within many of our clinical services, including our
regional cough service, and our bronchiectasis, sleep, and interstitial lung disease
services.

The clinical research fellow will receive both clinical training in respiratory medicine
and provide clinical support for a portfolio of respiratory research (50% respiratory
medicine, 50% supporting respiratory research).

The post is based at North Tyneside General Hospital; however the successful
candidate will work trust wide. There is no night shift commitment. Clinical training will
be undertaken on the Respiratory Wards and in outpatient clinics within the trust.
This post is best suited to trainees who have completed foundation training. The role
and responsibility’s 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, Principal 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.

They will receive the necessary training to enable you to deliver clinical research; prior
experience is not essential.

Appointment

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 respiratory medicine.

Supervision

The fellow will report directly to Dr Mark Weatherhead, Head of Service for Respiratory
Medicine. They will also work very closely with designated chief and principal
investigators assigned to respiratory research trials (Prof Bourke, Dr Steer, Dr Parker,
Dr Aujayeb, Dr Mackay).
There will be an opportunity to their own support audit and/or research project.
They will contribute to a range of clinical trials, supported by several different funding
sources, including the pharmaceutical industry, charitable organisations and other
funding agencies.

Aims
 To gain training in respiratory medicine

 To increase recruitment to respiratory 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 Clinical Research Fellow with training in research methods; critical
appraisal; project management; data analysis

 To provide training in Respiratory and General Medicine through the delivery of

clinical care at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital and out-patient
clinics across the trust.

Duration

This Clinical Research Fellow post is initially for 12 months.

Research training opportunities and statistical support will be available from other
members of the research team and the R&D Department of the Trust.

Education Centre

There is an education centre on site at each of the Trusts’ hospitals. The libraries are
fully equipped and computerised, with state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities in the
lecture theatres. There are additional seminar rooms and classrooms. A full range of
computer software is available including statistics, graphics, databases etc, as well as
access to both monochrome and colour printers, scanners, and slide-makers. The
Trust network also provides access to on-line resources, either via desktops, or in the
new 24 hour IT suites.
Directorate/Service

The funding for this job comes from both the NIHR and the department of respiratory
medicine at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHCFT). The NHCFT
multidisciplinary Respiratory service includes the following consultant staff:

Dr Laura Mackay Dr Mark Weatherhead (HoS)

Professor Stephen Bourke Dr Sarah Haney
Dr Sean Parker Dr Claire McBrearty
Dr John Steer Dr Simon Fearby
Dr David Cooper Dr Jonathon Miller
Dr Nicola Green Dr Avinash Aujayeb
Dr Bryan Yates Dr Janice Ward
Dr Claire Storey

Integral to the respiratory service, with a presence at all our hospital sites, are
Respiratory Nurse Specialists, Respiratory Physiologists, Respiratory
Physiotherapists, Clinical Psychologists and several other allied health professionals
with an interest in respiratory medicine.

Contacts

There is an increasingly active Academic Division within Northumbria Healthcare, with

close links to the Medical School. Members of the department who can be contacted
for further information include:

Dr Laura Mackay Consultant Respiratory Physician and Deputy Business

Unit Director, Medicine and Emergency Care.
Laura.mackay@nhct.nhs.uk

Professor Stephen Bourke Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Research lead

Stephen.bourke@nhct.nhs.uk

Dr John Steer Consultant Respiratory Physician and Regional NIHR

Lead for Respiratory Disorders
John.steer@nhct.nhs.uk

Dr Sean Parker Consultant Respiratory Physician

Sean.parker@nhct.nhs.uk

Conditions of service

a. The post is full-time.

b. Salary scale: as appropriate to the level of the post-holder on the standard clinical
scale.

c. For pre-employment health assessment purposes as part of the Trust's

Occupational Health Service, the successful applicant will be required to
complete a medical questionnaire prior to commencement in the post. This will
 be treated in strict confidence and will be sent by the successful applicant directly
to the Occupational Health Physician. The successful applicant may be required
to undergo a medical examination and health screening.

Equal Opportunities
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the provision of Equal
Opportunities both as an employer and in the services it provides.

All employees of the Trust and all applicants for employment have equality of
opportunity for employment based on their abilities, qualifications, and fitness for work.
The Trust is committed not only to the letter of the Law but also to the promotion of
equality of opportunity in all fields.

Risk Management

To deliver the quality standards and targets outlined in the Trust’s Risk Management
Strategy and local operational policies.

Health and Safety

For managers

Managers have a duty to ensure that safe systems of work are used within their area
of responsibility; to investigate accidents; to arrange for risk assessments to be
conducted annually, and to ensure staff attend appropriate health and safety training.

For all staff

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and
that of others who may be affected by their activities; to cooperate with the Trust in
complying with all health and safety rules and safe systems of work; and to inform their
line manager of any work situation, or practice which may be considered a danger to
health and safety.