Clinical Research Administrative Assistant Apprentice

Summary

Our Clinical Trials Specialist degree apprenticeship (Level 6) works in collaboration with Clinical Professionals Ltd and aims to advance the skills of those in the field and attract new staff. It is suitable for people who work as part of a team focused on the delivery and execution of Phase I-IV clinical trials.

Wage

£22,383 a year

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Starting salary of NHS Band 2 wage (£22,383) Progress to NHS Band 3 salary on successful completion of year 2 Progress to NHS Band 4 salary on successful completion of year 3

Training course

Clinical trials specialist (degree) (level 6)

Hours

37.5 hours (4 days office based and 1 day per week for study) This is an onsite role and not WFH or remote.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Friday 5 September 2025

Duration

5 years

Positions available

10

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

To assist in providing the clinical research team with administration services as required to ensure the efficient and successful delivery of clinical trials and other studies according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), standard operating procedures (SOPs), trust policies and all applicable regulations and governance structures.
·Assist with uploading of research documentation into relevant clinical trials portals/databases/programmes following appropriate training.
To assist with unit archiving.

Where you'll work

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ
Downs Road, Sutton, SM2 5PT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Your training course

Clinical trials specialist (degree) (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Monitor and Source Document Verification Develop, write and implement centralised and site monitoring plans. Conduct SDV and implement recruitment strategies for clinical trials. Assess suitability of trials at sites based on detailed understanding of protocol requirements and create appropriate feasibility questionnaires at country and site level. Conduct all site monitoring activities: site selection, initiation, maintenance and close out per national and local requirements. Record and report compliance deviations such as Serious Breaches and Product Complaints. Utilise information from clinical systems to oversee accuracy and contemporariness of trial data.
Clinical Trial Management Systems Use clinical trial systems including; electronic Clinical Trial Management Systems (eCTMS), electronic Case Report Forms (eCRF), Interactive Response Technology (IRT), electronic Patient/Physician Reported Outcomes systems and electronic Trial Master Files (eTMF). Develop documentation to support set up, programming, maintenance and oversight of these systems to be to be compliant with the protocol and Good Clinical Practice.
Project Management and Leadership: Generate effective project plans to include management of scope, schedules, and risk. Organise resources, tasks and people. Co-ordinate team activities to meet project requirements and quality processes. Adapt clinical strategy/delivery to be consistent with variations in national, local and Ethics Committee requirements when conducting trials across multiple regions/countries.
Data Collection and Reporting: Input into the development of data management documentation, including design of Case Report Forms, Data Management Plans, Data Review Plans, edit checks and User Acceptance Testing Plans.
Communication Skills: Write extended reports and critique others' work across a range of documentation, e.g. protocols, consent forms and clinical study reports. Deliver oral presentations and answer questions about their work and/or the work of their team. Utilise interpersonal skills, communication and assertiveness to persuade and motivate.
Critical Thinking: Conceptualise, evaluate and analyse information to solve problems.

Your training plan

The course is delivered online using a platform called Moodle. There are not set days for lectures, but apprentices will need 1-day per week (or 8 hours) to complete online study. There is also face-to-face teaching each year at our ‘Summer Schools’ – these are for practical assessments and examinations. The Summer School usually runs Monday – Thursday in late August or early September.

More training information

Primary areas of responsibility:

Assist with unit and source data documentation management (including photocopying and scanning of documents)
To assist with the preparation of clinical trial documents and source data for archiving as per Trust SOPs.
To assist in uploading scans to trial specific electronic portals following appropriate training
Management of own electronic mailbox in an efficient and timely fashion – ensuring appropriate team members are aware of any communications appropriate to their role.
Assist with preparing meeting rooms when required.
Attend Unit research meetings and actively participate where appropriate.
Show initiative in carrying out duties, prioritise workload and undertake all other relevant clerical and administrative duties to support the research team.
Assist with the preparation for monitoring visit or audits.

Communication & networking

Communicate with staff at all levels, both internal and external relating to research unit activities, regarding information which may be confidential and sensitive in nature.

Service Delivery

Provide administrative support to the Research Operations Manager and the Trial Managers (data capture, meeting arrangements, document management etc).
Support governance staff with the management of essential trial documentation (electronic site file management).
Support and maintain unit operating systems/records.
Support research staff with preparations for sponsor and external audits/inspections.
Assist with preparation and collection of curriculum vitae, training & delegation records for research staff for sponsors and managers of clinical trials (as required)

General responsibility

To be responsible for maintaining own professional development and be aware of current practices and future developments within the Trust and National Health Service.
To attend statutory and mandatory training when required and also any other training to improve knowledge and understanding. To aid in the implementation of corrective and preventative measures within the Unit as agreed with the Unit Head.
To support the Clinical R&D Office in preparation for regulatory inspections.
To take an active role in the Unit and the Trust as a member of a clinical research team.
Any other duties that may be required that are consistent with the nature of the grade of the post.
Take personal responsibility for prioritising own workload and meeting target deadlines.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

A Level in:

Any (grade C)
Chemistry / Biology (grade C)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

Level 3 Laboratory Technical Apprenticeship (grade Pass)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Team working
Working under pressure
Time Management
Diligent/reliable/adaptable
Ability to work Independently

Other requirements

This is an onsite role and not WFH or remote.

About this company

The Royal Marsden is recognised worldwide for the quality of its cancer services. The Trust’s strategic aim is to achieve excellence in cancer treatment and diagnosis, through partnership and collaboration. The prime purpose of the Trust is the provision of state-of-the-art cancer services as well as enabling research into the development of improved methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Its other main purpose is teaching and the dissemination of knowledge both nationally and internationally. In 1991 it became the first NHS hospital to be awarded the Queen’s Award for Technology for its work on drug development. The hospital gained National Charter Mark Awards in 1995, 1998, 2001, and again in 2008 for the excellence of its services and achieved the international quality standard ISO 9001 for radiotherapy in 1996 and for chemotherapy in 2003. The Royal Marsden has consistently been awarded three stars and more recently double excellent rating in the NHS performance indicators, rating it among the nation’s best in terms of clinical quality and patient care. The Royal Marsden comprises two sites at Chelsea and Sutton and over 40,000 patients attend the Royal Marsden each year. The Trust employs 3600 staff, including 335 medical staff. As a specialist cancer centre, the Trust serves local populations within the London Boroughs of Merton, Sutton, Wandsworth, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, as well as receiving referrals both nationally and internationally.

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

The Royal Marsden has two sites - Chelsea, London and Sutton, Surrey. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across both sites as required and agreed with their line manager.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Future career opportunities within industry.

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