Ward Manager
Job Title: Ward Manager
Location: London Bridge, SE1
Term: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: Competitive + Benefits (Private Medical, Private Dental, Life Assurance, Private Pension & many more)
The Ward Manager is an experienced, independent research practitioner working in partnership with the Clinical Operations Management team to lead the delivery and growth of clinical research. The post holder provides clinical and professional leadership and line management to Clinical Trials Associates (CTAs).
This is a hands-on role, requiring the post holder to be present on the ward to directly support clinical trial activities, including the day-to-day management of screening, outpatients and study visits. The post holder also provides support, education and professional development to CTAs, ensuring that clinical trial procedures take place at the scheduled time.
Clinical Responsibilities
- Maintaining a hands-on, visible presence on the ward to directly support clinical trial activities
- Ensuring that all studies are delivered to high research and clinical governance standards
- Coordinating across all clinical areas to achieve expected study timelines, ensuring smooth flow of study visits, screening and outpatient appointments
- Maintaining accountability for accurate and timely documentation of trial data according to ICH GCP guidelines
- Monitoring, recording and reporting adverse events, escalating serious adverse events as required
- Overseeing and supporting clinical activities – vital signs, ECG, cannulation, venepuncture, walking tests, telemetry set-up, life support cover, etc.
- Demonstrating good leadership and collaborating with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to identify and meet the needs of participants
- Ensuring participant safety is always prioritised, providing ongoing information, education and support to participants and their significant others
- Collaborating with Procurement and the Clinical Operations Managers (COMs) to ensure ward equipment is available for clinical trials
Line Management and Staff Development
- Providing clinical and professional leadership and directly line managing a team of CTAs, including performance reviews and appraisals
- Collaborating with the Scheduling Manager to ensure appropriate staffing levels
- Leading on training in both study and non-study procedures for clinical operations staff (e.g. vital signs measurements, ECGs, blood draws, telemetry)
- Collaborating with the COMs to design and participate in the induction of new staff, overseeing appropriate engagement and reducing time to autonomy
- Acting as the behavioural role model for all CTAs
Quality Assurance and Audits
- Taking personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment by proactively identifying areas of risk, and following incident, serious incident and near-miss reporting policy and procedure where required
- Taking responsibility for allocated CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions), management of risk, and audits
- Fostering a culture of incident reporting and response, reflection, equal opportunity, openness, mutual respect between professions, and professional development within the ward and department
- Ensuring MHRA compliance and keeping the ward tidy, organised and inspection-ready at all times
- BSc or above in Life Sciences or related area
- Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent proven experience
- Experience of incident reporting and CAPA management
- Proficient in clinical skills such as cannulation, venepuncture, ECG and vital signs
- Capable of caring for an unwell participant in the event of deterioration
- Proven knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines
- Understanding of the importance of audit and quality
- Understanding of the importance and principles of infection control in a clinical environment
- Current Immediate Life Support (ILS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification (Desirable)
- Teaching or mentorship qualification (e.g. Practice Supervisor/Assessor) (Desirable)
