Download JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Research Fellow in Childhood

JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Research Fellow in Childhood Glaucoma and Paediatric Ophthalmology
DEPARTMENT: Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
GRADE: Fellow
RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinical Trials Lead Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Clinical Trials Lead Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
The National Institute for Health Research’s Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology
is based at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of
Ophthalmology.
Established in April 2007, the Centre is funded by the Department of Health via the National
Institute for Health Research. The objective of the Centre is to conduct translational research
that is designed to take advances in basic medical research from the laboratory to the clinic,
enabling patients to benefit more quickly from new scientific breakthroughs. The research of
the Centre falls within six major research “themes”: Age-related Macular Degeneration;
Diabetes; Glaucoma; Ocular Repair, Regeneration & Pharmaceutics; Ocular Surface
Disease; Paediatric Ophthalmology and Inherited Eye Disease.
Our centre is one of 12 Biomedical Research Centres in the UK that were awarded to NHSuniversity partnerships having an outstanding international reputation for medical research
and expertise, and experience of translating research into the clinical setting. For further
information, please see http://www.brcophthalmology.org/
JOB SUMMARY:
To support ongoing paediatric research
studies and clinical trials at the NIHR Biomedical Research
Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of
Ophthalmology
LIAISON:
Orthoptic, medical, nursing, optometry, technical and all
other hospital staff as required.
The Post
The post carries full-time research responsibilities, to be carried out at the Richard Desmond
Children’s Eye Centre and the Clinical Research Facility at Moorfields Eye Hospital at City
Road in London.
Specifically, the post holder will support ongoing high-quality studies in childhood glaucoma,
ocular surface inflammation and general paediatric ophthalmology. The post holder will work
closely with the childhood glaucoma team at Moorfields Eye Hospital and will be able
participate in relevant educational activities.
KEY TASKS:
Research duties:
a)
To be responsible for identifying and recruiting patients for ongoing high-quality
clinical trials and studies adopted onto the NIHR portfolio. This will involve pre-screening of
medical notes to identify eligible patients and discussing studies and trials with patients and
families.
b)
To be responsible for carrying out relevant study procedures and assessments as
required. This may include providing information, obtaining informed consent, carrying out
paediatric slit lamp examination, fundoscopy, intraocular pressure measurement,
pachymetry, obtaining tear samples, eye movement waveform recordings, optical coherence
tomography assessments, and documenting findings. Training will be provided for
specialised assessments.
c)
To liaise with the relevant study team to ensure recruited participants have all
appropriate investigations and follow-up.
d)
To ensure that all research is conducted according to the principles of Good Clinical
Practice and within the framework of the Trust’s research governance policy
e)
To ensure that all proposed research projects follow the Trust’s R&D processes, from
protocol development to implementation
f)
To only carry out research approved by the National Research Ethics Service and
the NHS R&D offices at all research sites
g)
To collaborate with clinicians, scientists and allied health professionals to support
multidisciplinary research
h)
To make data available for external inspection and audit as required
i)
To report results of research activity on an annual basis
j)
To ensure that relevant key stakeholders are informed of research activities
Communication
a) To communicate effectively and sensitively with patients of all ages, ethnicity and learning
ability to obtain the optimum results with assessment and treatment.
b) To work where necessary with
interpreters, relatives, and support workers to achieve patient comprehension.
c) To fully communicate the results of assessments as relevant to the research to patients,
parents or guardians.
d) To discuss results of assessments and management plans with medical and other
colleagues as required to provide an integrated approach to patient care.
e) To provide clear documentation of patient’s records following the Trust’s guideline.
f) To correspondence with GPs and other colleagues in accordance with department
protocols.
g) To bring any problems with the service to the attention of the Clinical Trials Lead.
Administration
a) To cooperate with the Clinical Trials Lead in Paediatric Ophthalmology to ensure that
service and research are effective and safe.
b) To undertake or assist with administrative and managerial duties delegated by the Clinical
Trials Lead.
c) To undertake data collection as required for the management of the research
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
a) To continuously and critically review the current relevant literature to maintain an up to
date knowledge base and to enhance clinical and research practice with the best available
knowledge
b) To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of techniques and technology and to attend
appropriate training events.
c) To be responsible for personal evaluation of CPD and dissemination of information
gained.
d) To maintain records of CPD.
e) To actively participate in departmental and relevant specialist service audits and
professional development activities.
f) To attend departmental and other Trust meetings as required and to maintain an up to
date knowledge of issues relating to the Health Service.
g) Evidence of current registration with the General Medical Council must be submitted on
an annual basis.
h) To maintain training in Good Clinical Practice and follow these principles whilst working in
research.
Supplementary information
a) The post holder will at all times
comply with the policies, procedures, protocols and regulations relating to the Trust and the
paediatric service.
b) The post holder will at all times carry out duties in accordance with the Trust’s equal
opportunities policy.
c) The post holder will maintain confidentiality of information at all times and will comply with
the requirements of the Data protection act.
GENERAL DUTIES
1. To comply at all times with the requirements of the Health & Safety regulations under the
Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and to take responsibility for the health and safety and
welfare of others in the working environment ensuring that agreed safety procedures are
carried out to maintain a safe environment.
2. To comply at all times with the Trusts Data Security Policy. Also to respect confidentiality of
information about staff, patients and health service business and in particular the
confidentiality of electronically stored personal data in line with the Data Protection Act.
3. Disclosure Barring (DBS) (formerly CRB) checks are now a mandatory part of the NHS
Recruitment process for staff, which, in the course of their normal duties have access to
patients. Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust aims to promote equality of
opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. Criminal records will be
taken into account for recruitment purposes only when the conviction is relevant. Having an
unspent conviction will not necessarily bar you from employment. This will depend on the
circumstances and background to the offence and the position you have applied for.
Moorfields Eye Hospital is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. This means the
convictions never become “spent” for work which involves access to patients. Failure to
disclose any “unspent” convictions may result in the offer of employment being withdrawn or if
appointed could lead to dismissal. The Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) has published a
Code of Practice for organisations undertaking DBS checks and a copy is available on
request.
4. The Trust has adopted a security policy in order to help protect patients, visitors and staff and
to safeguard their property. All employees have a responsibility to ensure that those persons
using the Trust and its service are as secure as possible.
5. It is the responsibility of all trust employees to fully comply with the safeguarding policies and
procedures of the trust. As a Moorfields employee you must ensure that you understand your
role in protecting adults and children that may be at risk of abuse. Individuals must ensure
compliance with their safeguarding training.
6. The Trust is committed to a policy of equal opportunities. A copy of our policy is available
from the Personnel Department.
7. The Trust operates a no-smoking policy.
8. You should familiarise yourself with the requirements of the Trust’s policies in respect of the
Freedom of Information Act and comply with those requirements accordingly.
9. The role description gives a general outline of the duties of the post and is not intended to be
an inflexible or finite list of tasks. It may be varied, from time to time, after consultation with
the post holder.
10. All appointments within the National Health Service are subject to pre-employment health
screening.
11. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that they comply with the trust infection
control practises, as outlined in the health Act 2008 and staff must be familiar with the policies
in the trusts infection control manual, this includes the “bare below the elbow policy”.
Employees must ensure compliance with their annual infection control training.
12. You are responsible for ensuring that all equipment used by patients is clean /
decontaminated as instructed by manufacturers and in line with the infection control /
guidelines protocol and policy.
13. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure compliance with the Health and Social Care
Act, 2008, in preventing risk of infections to patients, visitors and other staff within the trust.
14. All staff are required to implement infection control policies and practices, including hand
hygiene, waste disposal, staff uniform and occupational health responsibilities, as detailed in
the trust intranet.
15. It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they have evidence of annual/or otherwise
infection control training.
16. All staff are responsible for ensuring that equipment used in the patient environment is
cleaned, decontaminated and maintained in line with trust policy.
17. Any other duties as designated by your manager and which are commensurate with the
grade.
NB. The role description is a reflection of the current position and may change emphasis or
detail in the light of subsequent developments, in consultation with the post holder.
Proposed timetable
Monday
AM Participation
in Paediatric
service
Teaching;
Prescreening of
notes to
identify
researcheligible
children
PM Recruitment
of research
participants
and research
assessments
Tuesday
Recruitment
of research
participants
and research
assessments
Wednesday
Recruitment of
research
participants and
research
assessments
Thursday
Recruitment
of research
participants
and research
assessments
Friday
Recruitment
of research
participants
and research
assessments
Recruitment
of research
participants
and research
assessments
Recruitment of
research
participants and
research
assessments
Recruitment
of research
participants
and research
assessments
Continuing
professional
development
activities
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST: Research Fellow in Childhood Glaucoma and Paediatric Ophthalmology
ESSENTIAL

Full GMC Registration
(with a License to
Practise)

FURTHER
TRAINING &
KNOWLEDGE


SKILLS &
ABILITY

FRCOphth / MRCOphth
or equivalent ophthalmic
qualification

Higher Degree (e.g. MD
or PhD)
Specialist Training in
Ophthalmology

Experience in Paediatric
Ophthalmology
Audit & research skills

EDUCATION
NB. ‘Equivalence’ must be
&
confirmed by PMETB/GMC
QUALIFICATIONS at time of interview
METHOD TO TEST
THESE CRITERIA
DESIRABLE
Ability to work as part of
clinical & research teams

High degree of clinical
skills in paediatric
ophthalmology &
strabismus

Application Form &
Certification

Application Form
Interview &
References

Application Form
Interview &
References

Application Form
Interview &
References
Track record of
publications in peerreviewed scientific &
clinical journals
 Ability to deliver results by
effectively managing
relationships with
sponsors/funding
bodies/collaborators/other
universities/hospital
research groups
 Ability to attract research
funding

Demonstrable experience
of contributing to a
research group

Evidence of promoting
excellence in areas of
research
EXPERIENCE

Experience in the
management of patients
with paediatric
ophthalmology &
strabismus & related
pathology problems
 Experience of public &
patient engagement
 Experience of running
clinical trials
 Experience of teaching at
postgraduate levels

Experience of working in
a clinical and/or
biomedical academic
environment
 Understanding of the key
NIHR funding streams for
research