Vfrac Clinical Research Manager

The role

This exciting opportunity offers the post-holder a role that will co-ordinate the Vfrac development and feasibility work prior to initiation of a future multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial. Vfrac is a simple clinical checklist developed at the University of Bristol to help primary care practitioners decide if an older woman with back pain is at high risk of having an osteoporotic vertebral fracture, and therefore requires a spinal radiograph to confirm the diagnosis.

What will you be doing?

The key duty of this post will be to manage the Vfrac feasibility work funded by NIHR RfPB which has four work packages: Firstly, recruitment of 6 general practices to look at implementation of Vfrac within clinical pathways in primary care (ISRCTN18000119); Secondly, a study undertaken by a qualitative researcher to assess the acceptability of Vfrac to patients and healthcare practitioners; Thirdly, use of CPRD by a statistician and a national survey to assess national variation in key data; and finally, bringing everything together to decide if the future RCT should be developed. In addition, you will manage two smaller studies: (1) a small mixed-methods study to test Vfrac in men, consisting of interviews by a qualitative researcher, co-creation of the modified tool using our experienced PPI group, and a small case control study to identify effectiveness (ISRCTN42028479); and (2) an agreement study to identify if Vfrac can be self-completed by patients at home or if it requires a physical examination by a healthcare practitioner (ISRCTN12150779).

You will liaise closely with the PI to co-ordinate this Vfrac development and feasibility work. You will ensure compliance with the Governance arrangements, assist in recruitment of individual patients, ensure research packs are sent out, recruit participating general practices in Bristol through the CCG, liaise with NBT and Research Nurses to ensure research clinics run smoothly, liaise with the qualitative researcher to ensure goals are met, ensure CPRD data is available for the statistician, co-ordinate the national survey within primary care, organise and contribute to data entry and quality checking, revise ethics and study documentation where necessary, review and maintain standard operating procedures, oversee maintenance of study files, produce regular reports for the study team and funders, administer and monitor the budget along with the PI, develop the research databases to record and store data as necessary, and carry out basic statistical analyses if needed.

You should apply if

• You have experience of working in a clinical research setting in a university or NHS institution
• You have high level project planning, co-ordination, organisational and time management skills
• You have a degree in sciences or relevant formal training in clinical research
• You have excellent interpersonal skills and enjoy working collaboratively towards a common goal

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact: Emma Clark,  emma.clark@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31st December 2024

Work pattern: Flexible and open for discussion, but majority during normal working hours

Grade: H

Salary: £30,497 - £34,304 per annum (pro-rata) 

School/Unit: Faculty of Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Translational Health Sciences, Musculoskeletal Research Unit

Shift pattern: 21 hours per week 

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on Thursday 7th July 2022.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.

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