Job description
The Cancer Research UK & King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit (CPTU) specialises in research to advance cancer prevention, early diagnosis and screening.
We perform research on efficacy, cost-effectiveness and technologies to improve existing and establish new screening programmes.
Our portfolio of both secondary (hospital) and primary (community) care trials includes:

• Multi-centre international randomised controlled trials of medicinal prevention of cancer often using drug re-purposing
• Pragmatic trials of screening and diagnostic interventions
• Trials of behavioural interventions in cancer prevention and screening
• Trials of diagnostic/screening devices

 
About the role:
We are looking for enthusiastic study coordinator and participant pathway navigator to join the CPTU team to contribute to the coordination and operational delivery for an exciting new study, the NHS-Galleri multi-cancer early detection project. Over 700,000 people across England will be invited to receive a novel CE-marked, blood test for the presence of over 50 cancers. You will provide excellence in participant-facing communications and support the CPTU nurses with navigating participants who have a cancer signal detected through their referral pathway.
 
You will have a good understanding of cancer pathways  and the ability to translate technical/ medical terms into lay language for participants. You will also have excellent people skills, patience and ability to deal calmly with worried and anxious individuals. You will be adept at working flexibly and be able to work effectively as part of a team or independently.
 
The study coordinator and participant pathway navigator will provide operational support to the research nurses team.  Tasks will be delegated and will include:
 
Supporting the CPTU nurses with navigating participants who have a cancer signal detected through their referral pathway, particularly participants who may require multiple diagnostic pathways.
Answering appointment, hospital parking, translation and support services questions that participants might have and liaising with the relevant Cancer Alliance to get information if necessary.
Providing regular feedback to the trial team about participant enquiries and referrals progress.
Supporting the general administrative tasks associated with the responsibilities of the research nurse team.
   
This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 12.5 months
This is a full-time post – 35 hours per week.

Key responsibilities
 

• Supporting the CPTU nurses with navigating participants who have a cancer signal detected into  the appropriate  referral pathway, particularly participants who may require multiple diagnostic pathways:- 
• Noting if participant’s choice (of referral hospital) is relevant and acted on.
• Ensuring participant’s  referral clinic and, if straight to test, liasing with primary and secondary care collegues to ensure thay have had the necessary preparation/ history taken in advance.
• Checking that they are referred on for appropriate further tests and/ or back to GP care if no cancer is found.
• Ensuring all participants  who have a cancer signal detected are transferred from research into secondary care and recording the referral to treatment date (RTT) and NHS clock starting.
• Tracking appointments, supporting the rescheduling of  missed ones.
• Providing an invaluable central point of contact for anxious participants and their families
• Answering appointment, hospital parking, translation and support services questions that participants might have and liaising with the relevant Cancer Alliances/GPs/research sites to get information if necessary.
• Effective verbal and written communication with patients and the multidisciplinary team
• Excellent record keeping and pathway management of participants requiring referrals
• Providing regular feedback to the trial team about participant enquiries and referrals progress.
• Supporting the general administrative tasks associated with the responsibilities of the research nurse team including scheduling and minute taking of meetings.
• Develop written procedures for trial procceses.
• Develop a good knowledge of the trial protocol, to be able to respond to all queries or appropriately escalate.
• Contribute to collaborative decision-making, planning and short and long-term objective setting. 
• Use initiative and creativity to resolve issues that might arise and identify issues that require onward reporting in liaison with the Lead nurse.  
• Assist in the creation of trial progress reports as required. 
• Ensure confidentiality on all matters and information obtained during the course of employment. 
• Work, where applicable, with the lead Investigators, data managers, monitors, clinicians, statisticians and external agencies on a daily basis to ensure the project milestones are met 
• Any other duties appropriate to the grade as directed by the supervisors.  

 
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
 
Skills, knowledge, and experience 
 
Essential Criteria

1. Degree in any life science or numerate discipline, or a professional qualification (e.g. nurse) or relevant experience in a similar role
2. Experience of directly working with patients or research participants
3. Good understanding of cancer pathways / working at interface of primary and secondary care
4. Ability to translate technical/ medical terms into lay language for participants
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to tailor communications to the intended audience
6. Meticulous attention to detail with ability to develop and maintain  a participant-tracking process
7. Excellent people skills, patience and ability to deal calmly with worried and anxious individuals
8. Excellent IT skills wincluding working with databases
9. Ability to work well under pressure
10. Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise own schedule with little supervision
11. Excellent organisational skills
12. Flexible and positive attitude with an interest in clinical research

 
Desirable

1. Experience of 2-week wait cancer referral pathways
2. Experience of working with cancer alliances
3. Understanding of ICH/GCP guidelines

Further information
This post is home working until further notice.  
 
This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.