This is a full time post offered on a fixed-term basis for 3 years, with the possibility of an extension.

Transcription

1 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Norwich Medical School Norwich CTU Database Programmer REF: TC515 This is a full time post offered on a fixed-term basis for 3 years, with the possibility of an extension. The Post This post provides an exciting opportunity to utilise and develop your ASP.NET, SQL, Web design and problem-solving skills, and gain experience in the rapidly evolving field of clinical data management. You will be working as part of the Data Management team at NCTU to develop fast, secure and user-friendly web-based data collection systems for clinical trials. You will be working with the most up-to date software and hardware, and designing innovative solutions for complex data management projects, as well as helping maintain and improve existing systems. The majority of the systems we produce are written in Visual Basic.NET, so a familiarity with this language and framework is preferable, as is a good working knowledge of SQL and/or t-sql, and good database design and query-writing skills. Further training on SQL Server administration and the specifics of the systems we produce will be provided on the job. Some experience with C# and PHP would be an advantage. You will be required to document and source control your code using GIT, so a familiarity with GIT or similar Source code control software is advantageous. In addition to ensuring that data management systems meet the needs of researchers, the role involves ensuring that systems perform to a high quality standard and comply with research and data regulations e.g. Good Clinical Practice, the UK Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) regulations, the NHS Research Governance Framework, the Data Protection Act and Information Governance best practices. Training in these regulatory requirements will be provided. The role involves frequent communication with researchers and other stakeholders to gather requirements and give feedback, so the ability to gather information from written and oral sources as well as communicating back ideas and solutions is essential. You will also be involved in reviewing code and testing systems, so a familiarity with systems testing is advantageous. 1

2 NCTU is a successful and growing Clinical Trials Unit. We pride ourselves on having a friendly and supportive working environment, and allow a degree of flexible working around certain core office hours. We invest in our staff, and funding is available for attending training courses to further develop your skills. Job Description Key tasks of the post holder will be: Develop systems for research data management and ensure that they are appropriately designed, tested and fit for purpose, meet the specification requirements agreed with the researcher and makes appropriate use of available software including ASP.NET, VB.NET and SQL Server Investigation, analysis, resolution and documentation of problems such as computer system errors, data anomalies, hardware problems and software application problems. To work with Norwich CTU staff, locally based researchers and those based at other institutions across the UK to understand data management requirements and advise on appropriate and compliant solutions within trial budgets. Demonstration and training of data management systems to researchers and research trial team members and other members of Norwich CTU. Extract data from data management systems in formats acceptable to researchers, statisticians and other stakeholders, including the provision of final validated data sets. Ensure that data management systems in Norwich CTU are safe and secure repositories for clinical trial data provided in trust and confidentiality by members of the public. Work within and contribute to development of working practices and standard operating procedures. Produce, and review during lifetime of the study, data management documentation to support study set-up, maintenance and close-out requirements. Able to work independently, referring to the head of data Management for reference and supervision as appropriate. Ensure that all data management tasks conducted in Norwich CTU are compliant with relevant standards and regulations such as Good Clinical Practice, the UK Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) regulations, the NHS Research Governance Framework, the Data Protection Act and Information Governance best practices. Person Specification The person specification for this post is attached as Appendix A. Informal Discussions To discuss the post further, please contact Martin Pond, Head of Data Management, martin.pond@uea.ac.uk or tel:

3 Norwich Clinical Trials Unit Norwich Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU) has been established by UEA and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals (NNUH) to provide an effective platform for the conduct of high quality clinical trials and to provide a forum for training and methodological advancement in trial design, conduct and analysis. This includes developing funding applications, trial design, management, quality assurance, analysis and reporting. The vision is to establish an internationally recognised clinical trials unit to conduct important trials across a broad range of clinical disciplines which influence clinical and research practice and are published in high impact journals, thus enhancing the international research reputation of Norwich Research Park (NRP). Norwich CTU is a key asset for translational research by Norwich Research Park Partners made up of the UEA, NNUH, John Innes Centre, Institute of Food Research, Sainsbury Laboratory and the Genome Analysis Centre. These institutions form an extensive bioscience community which is identifying new ways to improve human health. Norwich CTU is undergoing an expansion, in recognition of its importance to reliably evaluate new treatments and take advantage of a growing pipeline of investigative compounds that can be taken from early to late stage using technology, development and trials expertise across the Norwich Research Park. Norwich CTU is fully registered as a UK Clinical Research Collaboration trials unit and receives National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) CTU support funding to help the CTU in developing and supporting NIHR trials. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMH) The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is led by the Executive Dean of Faculty, Professor Dylan Edwards, working closely with the Heads of School, and the Associate Deans who share responsibility for the areas of Research; Enterprise and Engagement; Learning and Teaching; Admissions; and Postgraduate Research. These senior academics, together with the Senior Faculty Manager, the Faculty Human Resources Manager, and the Faculty Finance Manager, form the Faculty Executive. Teaching is organised through the Faculty s two Schools of study, comprising Health Sciences (HSC) and Norwich Medical School (MED), assisted by a Centre for Inter-professional Practice (CIPP). The Faculty also has strong research links with the Norwich Research Park, comprising the Institute of Food Research (IFR), the John Innes Centre (JIC), and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, see 3

4 The post-holder will have an appropriate level of research skills, experience and track record in an area that complements the existing skill mix of the team, in order to support the research strategy within the Faculty. Researchers within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences benefit from: a dedicated Associate Dean of Research; appropriate support in all aspects of their research activity; a well-resourced Research Office to support the process of submitting research grant applications; our collaborative approach and close links with practitioners in a wide range of clinical specialities across the region; strong collaboration within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and across other professional schools and academic disciplines across the University; exposure to expertise in both qualitative and quantitative paradigms of research, and support for appropriate conference and course attendance. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Schools of Study The Norwich Medical School Head of School: Professor Michael Frenneaux. The Norwich Medical School was established at UEA in 2001 and has over 200 members of academic, research and support staff and a large number of active NHS secondees and honorary appointees from a wide range of disciplines (including medical specialties, biological sciences and a range of social and statistical disciplines, including health economics, clinical psychology, epidemiology and medical statistics). The School has grown with a current entry each year of 168 students. Its first students graduated in 2007 and since then the School has been in the top 10 of all medical schools on the National Student Survey on three occasions, (4th in 2013); the Prescribing Skills Assessment pass rate is over 97%; the Situational Judgement Test is among the top scores nationally and the Preparedness to Practice and Core Skills Acquisition are consistently top 5. In 2014 the school was shown to have produced some of the best prepared Foundation doctors, demonstrated through national data provided by the GMC following their annual survey of all doctors in training. RESEARCH Research focus is on developing translational research themes that answer important health questions, from an understanding of the basic mechanisms and genetics of disease through to clinical trials and from there to incorporation into clinical guidelines and evaluation within the broader health care community. 4

5 The Medical School has a vision to build a clinical and translational research programme of international standing based on the existing strengths of the Medical School, University of East Anglia (UEA), The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and the Norwich Research Park (NRP). The presence of 3 BBSRC research institutes on the Norwich Research Park (Institute of Food Research (IFR), John Innes Centre (JIC), The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) provides unique opportunities not available to other comparable medical schools. Preventive medicine is a major goal for 21st century medicine. The role of diet in the prevention of a wide spectrum of disease will be a particular focus of research within the Medical School. Incorporated with this will be parallel strategies to understand the epidemiology and health economic impact of the conditions studied. Areas of research within the Medical School include: Cancer Studies Clinical Science and Trials Epidemiology Gastroenterology and Gut Biology Health Economics Health Services Research Medical Microbiology Musculoskeletal Science Nutrition Psychological Sciences Norwich Medical School is housed on East (main) campus in the Norwich Medical School Building, and on West Campus in the brand-new 20m Bob Champion Research and Education Building which opened in late 2014, adjacent to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital providing outstanding facilities for staff and supporting clinically orientated research. The Medical School enjoys a strategic partnership with the adjacent 1,000- bed Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and with other teaching Trusts (the James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Trust based in Norwich, Ipswich Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn, as well as local CCGs). UEA Health Partners has been constituted, composed of NHS Trust Chief Executives, senior university members and chaired by the Vice Chancellor to oversee the strategic relationship between the University and NHS Trusts with whom the School interacts in both research and teaching. The Dean of Medicine is a member of the UEA Health Partners Board. There is a growing number of clinical academics in the areas of stroke and ageing; respiratory medicine; gastroenterology; clinical pharmacology; cardiology; primary care; public health and epidemiology; rheumatology; diabetes; and orthopaedics. The Medical School has for several years received an allocation of Walport academic training posts. There is particular 5

6 strength within the Medical School in epidemiology, statistics and health economics and exciting possibilities for appointees to develop clinical trials with the NIHR fully registered Clinical Trials Unit as well as experimental medicine within the five-bed Clinical Research Facility (CRF) located in the University Hospital. There is a research 3T MRI scanner also located within the University Hospital. The School of Health Sciences Interim Head of School: Professor Rosalynd Jowett On 1st August 2014, the Schools of Nursing Sciences and Rehabilitation Sciences at UEA came together to create a new School of Health Sciences. The School s purpose is to resolve health challenges through the advancement of knowledge and interdisciplinary working. This innovative development has built on the strong reputation of the two Schools and creates an outstanding learning environment for students; fostering cutting edge research and offering opportunities for real innovation in enterprise development. The School of Health Sciences encompasses a family of interrelated disciplines; midwifery, all fields of nursing, operating department practice, paramedic science, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Our research is focussed on developing solutions to future global health challenges as a consequence of our life style choices (e.g. obesity, diabetes); living longer with long term conditions and the need for systems, services and training models to adapt to different health care needs in the future. We have a clear vision and strategy to be a leading international academic force in our field, improving the quality of healthcare through our research and education. The School s academic structure is designed to secure the delivery of our strategy. Staff belong to one of three health challenge units which drive innovation in research, teaching and learning in three theme areas: reforming health systems; promoting family and community health and living well with long term conditions. The groups foster a collaborative ethos and serve as an academic home community for those with related interests from a variety of professional backgrounds. We support our academic staff to actively engage in practice and provide opportunities to extend personal development linked to performance. As a School community we are committed to sustained engagement with staff, students, service users and carers and we aim to be in tune with the priorities and requirements of our NHS partners and other providers at a time of considerable change and resource constraint in the wider economy. We have developed excellent partnership working with other HEIs, commissioners and health care providers in the region and work closely with clinical colleagues to maintain and develop clinical experience for students, as well as 6

7 providing a mechanism for incorporating their role as mentors and clinical educators into lifelong learning. We currently have over 1300 undergraduate, pre-registration students and around 1200 post registration and postgraduate students taking a variety of modules and courses, including our flagship NIHR Masters in Clinical Research. The success of the School is reflected by the popularity of its programmes and a number of measures of esteem. The School is ranked 5th for nursing and midwifery and 7th for health professions in the Guardian University Guide (2015) and has recently climbed four places to 8th place for nursing in the Complete University Guide (2015). 7

8 GENERAL Salary Salary 25,023 to 30,738 per annum on Grade 6 on the single salary spine. The normal expectation is that the starting salary will be at the minimum of the advertised salary scale. Starting date This post is available immediately and is offered on a full time basis for a fixed term period of 3 years. Terms and Conditions of appointment Full details of terms and conditions of employment for Technical staff will be made available to the candidate to whom the appointment is offered. Annual Leave Entitlement There is an annual holiday entitlement of 25 days plus statutory (8 days) and customary (6 days) holidays, pro rata for part-time. Superannuation The post is superannuable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme. This appointment will be subject to: Proof of Qualifications The person specification for this post lists qualifications that are essential and/or desirable and you may hold some or all of these qualifications. Please note that if you are offered the post you will be asked to provide original certificates of these educational and professional qualifications. Please DO NOT provide these with your application. Entitlement to Work in the United Kingdom If you are shortlisted for interview you will be asked to bring to interview original documentary evidence of permission to work in the UK. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with a list of appropriate documents that can be provided as evidence. Please DO NOT provide this with your application. Due to the nature of this role and the level of qualifications required, please note that immigration legislation allows the University to apply for a sponsorship certificate for this post. Where appropriate, the University will apply for a sponsorship certificate from the Home Office UK Immigration and Visa Service on behalf of the candidate offered 8

9 employment. The individual will be required to supply original documents and certificates to support this application. Workers from outside of the EU who do not have current residency status within the UK and will require entry clearance or leave to remain approval from the Borders Agency should familiarise themselves with Tier 2 (General) of the Points Based System operated by the Home Office. Details are available at Occupational Health Assessment Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment to be carried out by the University s Occupational Health Service. Disclosure and Barring Service This appointment will be subject to a criminal record check at Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further details outlining the procedure will be sent to you on receipt of your signed Acceptance of Appointment Slip. Please note: you are expected to meet the cost of obtaining a satisfactory Disclosure and a deduction will automatically be made from your salary shortly after receipt of the Disclosure. The present cost of an Enhanced Disclosure is 44. In connection with the DBS Disclosure, please also note that: 1. This post is concerned with the provision of health services and is excluded from the provision for non-disclosure of spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. 2. Due to delays in receiving Disclosure information from the DBS, it has been agreed that you may commence work at the start date of this contract subject to a risk assessment having been completed by Norwich Medical School. 9

10 APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS Your completed application form should quote reference code TC515 and be returned by no later than 12 noon on 31 May 2016 in one of the following ways: accessed via the relevant vacancy details at then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically then saved and sent as an attachment to or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically, then printed and posted to the Human Resources Division, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from and downloaded in PDF format and printed, to be completed by hand and returned by post to the Human Resources Division at the address shown above or forms received by post from the Human Resources Division should be completed by hand or typed and returned by post to the above address. Postal applications will not be acknowledged unless a stamped addressed envelope/postcard is supplied. For paper submissions please ensure you add the correct postage to your application pack as failure to do so will considerably delay receipt by this office and may jeopardise your application for this post. Please note that applications received after the closing date will not normally be accepted. If you are submitting an application by post immediately prior to the closing date please contact the Human Resources Division on to let us know that your application has been posted, and if possible also send a copy by fax to or by to hr@uea.ac.uk in order that we receive these by the closing date. Please note that feedback will not normally be provided to those applicants who are not shortlisted for this post. Applicants for posts with a reference code beginning TC must ensure they submit a covering letter and three paper copies of their curriculum vitae, or one copy if submitting the application by , along with their completed application form. 10

11 Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Please note that an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be completed and returned with ALL applications, whether submitted by post or by . If submitted by , the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be sent as a separate document/attachment to the Application Form. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be detached from the received Application, before short-listing takes place and will not form any part of either the short-listing or decision making process. Referees In naming referees in your application, you are requested to give only those who can immediately be approached and one of these must be your current employer, or if not employed your most recent employer. Interviews Successful shortlisted candidates may be notified of their interview times by telephone and/or and it is therefore essential you include both of these in your application. This document is available in alternative formats e.g. large print, disc and on-line. If you need this document in an alternative format please contact us on , fax , or hr@uea.ac.uk 11

12 APPENDIX A PERSON SPECIFICATION CTU Database Programmer Ref: TC515 School: MED Criteria Essential Desirable Education, Experience and Achievements Skills and Knowledge Degree or equivalent in computer science, information management or numerate discipline. Experience of developing web based data collection and management systems. Demonstrable written and spoken communication skills in English. Computer literate with standard office software such as MS Excel/ Word/ PowerPoint. Ability to summarise and explain varied datasets. Ability to organise own workload and priorities for allocated projects. Understanding of the principles of good software design. Software testing and documenting skills. Experience of developing with ASP.NET, VB.NET, SQL Server. Experience of working with clinical research data management systems. ASP.NET Training MS SQL Database administration training. Ability to program in VB.NET and design and query databases in SQL. Web design skills, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery. Ajax, IIS, MS Access, VBA, ASP.NET custom controls. Knowledge of the data management process in clinical research. Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, Data Protection Act, Information Governance. MS SQL Database Administration. Source code control systems. PHP coding. 12

13 Personal Attributes Special Circumstances Ability to work autonomously using own initiative, and as a member of a small team, as well as part of the wider multidisciplinary team. Diplomatic and calm under pressure. Able to problem solve, coming up with practical, pragmatic solutions. Customer focussed, with good interpersonal skills. Ability and willingness to travel to meet the requirements of the post. Motivation to work in the field of clinical data management. 13