Clinical Research Fellow in Cardiorespiratory CT

The post is

suitable for Specialty Trainees in Cardiology or Radiology who intend to

specialise in a cardiorespiratory imaging sub-specialty. This may be cardiac,

cardiovascular, cardio-oncology, cardiorespiratory, or pulmonary vascular

focused, with all interests welcome, although any appointees will be expected

to contribute to the whole research portfolio conducted on the PCCT. Applicants may have already commenced

training in general Cardiology or Radiology and wish to gain more sub-specialty

experience in Cardiorespiratory CT, by taking an Out-Of-Programme Experience

(OOPE) from their current training programmes or have obtained CCT. The ideal candidate would be looking for

sub-speciality experience in cardiorespiratory CT imaging by seeking a years

clinical research experience, allowing them time to write grants and apply for

further fellowships leading to a higher degree (e.g. MD or PhD) or use

the academic work to further an application for an intermediate level

fellowship. However, those looking to further their medical career through

augmentation with advanced imaging experience and familiarisation with the

academic environment are also encouraged.

This post has a significant clinical component

including care of patients at GSTT. It is primarily based at the Royal Brompton

Hospital but there may be a requirement also to attend other GSTT and KCL

sites.

Full

details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be

found in the Job Description.

Clinical Service

Contribute to the cardiorespiratory PCCT service jointly provided by GSTT and BMEIS, including attending clinical PCCT lists, recruiting participants to research studies, performing provisional reporting and weekly review sessions and undertaking data analyses, as required.

Compile a logbook in line with British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging and BSCCT (BSCI/BSCCT), Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) or European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) training and accreditation guidelines.

Demonstrate autonomy as well as the ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team in identifying the needs of patients and research participants and their families during their care.

Maintain excellent patient safety standards at all times

Keep clinical mandatory training up to date in accordance with Trust and KCL requirements.

Strive to continually develop clinically and keep up to date with the latest clinical practice, as per the Trust and KCL requirements.

Adhere to the relevant Trust and KCL policies and procedures at all times

Report any adverse events as per GCP and the Trust policies.

Research Delivery

Provide support in research projects as outlined by supervisors.

Collaborate with research teams to ensure adherence to trial protocols and administrative requirements.

Adhere to appropriate policies and legislation regarding clinical research e.g. informed consent, International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

Take responsibility for accurate and complete data collection, updating and maintenance of databases and computerised systems, ensuring corresponding documentation is recorded in medical notes and appropriate records are kept for notification of patient accruals in accordance with Caldecott requirements.

Work in conjunction with the Principal Investigators to ensure each trial protocol is adhered to by all members of the multi-disciplinary team identifying and reporting any deviations. Ensure the imaging and follow up appointments required are arranged.

Keep abreast of changing practices & regulations for randomised clinical trials in the UK and to feedback to research teams appropriately.

Ensure that full compliance with confidentiality at all times is maintained.

Work at all times according to regulations as described in ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and to current national and local guidance relating to research governance and research ethics

Plan the care and support of participants according to study protocols and ensure they are treated according to the schedule set out in the protocol.

Ensure documentation is up to date with the most recent information readily available.

Maintain patient information sheets/consent forms in the appropriate clinics and departments as per departmental protocols.

Support the team in the development and maintenance of databases as appropriate.

Ensure the study case report forms are completed in conformance with ICH GCP guidelines and within appropriate time guidelines.

Systematically document patient information in the medical notes.

Communication & Networking

Good general communication skills are essential for recruitment of and interaction with study patients and volunteers and for the interaction with clinical and research staff.

It will be essential to form a good working relationship with referring clinicians.

Routinely communicate complete and conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge and understanding as well as to peers using high level skills and a range of media.

Collaborate actively within and outside the department / School to complete research projects and advance thinking.

Participate in and develop external networks (e.g. identify sources of funding, generate income, obtain consultancy projects, build relationships for future activities).

Decision Making, Planning and Problem Solving

Decision will be taken together with the Research PI to whom the post holder is primarily accountable.

Develop new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding.

Resolve problems of meeting research objectives and deadlines.

Develop ideas of application of generating income and promoting research areas.

Develop ideas for application of research outcomes.

Decide on research programmes and methodologies, in collaboration with colleagues and subject to the approval of the PI.

Plan, co-ordinate and implement research programmes.

Service Delivery

The post-holder will be involved in the delivery of the clinical cardiorespiratory PCCT service, including protocolling studies, optimising patients for scan acquisition, and timely clinical report turn around as per the service objectives.

If required, provide support to enable and optimise PCCT scanning of other patients and research participants (i.e. those with non-cardio-respiratory conditions)

Provide specialist or professional advice and make recommendations within guidelines to support informed decision-making.

Deal with queries of specialist nature and in consultation with multi-disciplinary teams.

Analysis & Research Outputs

The post-holder will be primarily responsible for the analysis of all data generated in these studies, following appropriate training.

Develop research objectives, projects and proposals

Conduct individual or collaborative research projects.

Support in writing grant proposals.

Identify sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds.

Extend, transform and apply knowledge acquired from scholarship to research and appropriate external activities.

Write or contribute to publications or disseminate research findings using other appropriate media.

Make presentation at conferences or exhibit work in other appropriate events.

Assess, interpret and evaluate outcomes of research.

Teamwork, Teaching & Learning Support

The post-holder will have no formal teaching commitment but will be expected to contribute to training of multi-disciplinary staff and the groups educational events on a regular basis.

Within the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, the School

of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences is a

cutting-edge research and teaching School dedicated to development, translation

and clinical application within medical imaging and computational modelling

technologies. Our objective is to facilitate research and teaching guided by

clinical questions and is aimed at novelty, understanding of physiology and

pathophysiology as well as development of new diagnostic tools and therapies.

This way, basic science can be rapidly translated into clinical applications

(and vice versa).

This post is jointly hosted by the Research Department of Cardiovascular Imaging and the Royal Brompton Hospitals Imaging Department in Chelsea. The School of BMEIS has worked in partnership with Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) to deliver specialist clinical services for many years. When the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals joined GSTT in February 2021, we became the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. Together, we provide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatment that is available anywhere in the world.

Experience

Qualifications