A day within the lifetime of…a Clinical Trials Manager

Welcome to the primary blog in our “day in the life of…” series, which goals to present the various roles and profession paths in nursing. In our first blog, Ms Chloe Cowan, Clinical Research Manager on the Glasgow Clinical Research Facility at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, gives insight into her current role and food for thought for nurses trying to work in clinical research.

(1) What is your position and predominant role/responsibilities?
I’m tClinical Trials Manager, Glasgow Clinical Trials Site, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. This includes leading a talented, diverse research team that supports clinical trials within the NHS. At any given time, we’re conducting roughly 400 clinical trials across all specialties, for each adults and kids. We have two purpose-built clinical research centers and three smaller facilities, including a dedicated research facility in a dental hospital. In addition to managing the team, I’m chargeable for overseeing the implementation of the clinical research portfolio, evaluating recent projects, managing the budget, reviewing and ensuring processes and risk assessments for patient safety and quality management. I’m also chargeable for our education team, which develops and runs a program of competencies, courses, training and skills programs.

(2) How did you get into your current role/field of labor?
I got really involved in clinical research as a chemotherapy nurse: I became a part of a lung cancer clinical trial research team and at the identical time studied for a Masters in Cancer Care, which involved designing and conducting my very own research project. From there, I had the chance to work as a Research Specialist within the Cancer Center, supporting nurse-initiated research and collaborating with the practice development and education team to develop the research interests, commitment, and skills of the oncology nurse. I enjoyed working in an lively research environment and when a task for a Cancer Research UK senior nurse became available along with managing the Cancer Research Network, I grabbed the chance with each hands. Thanks to this, I gained experience in managing a team of clinical research nurses and a research budget. My responsibilities included ensuring that research was relevant not only to multiple service partners, but in addition to patients, and interesting the general public in our clinical trials.

(3) Can you tell us what a typical day is like for you as a nurse?
Daily activities include assessing the team’s workload, skill set, clinical space, materials and equipment needed. I work closely with other senior managers in research and innovation (R&I) as most projects involve many alternative services and require close collaboration with, for instance, diagnostic imaging, laboratories, pharma and e-health. We have established a brand new Research Task Force to oversee and review our response to the Covid 19 pandemic, and have played a key role in the event of latest treatments and vaccines, providing vital information for public health and clinical services.

(4) What parts of your role would you describe because the “best” or most satisfying?
Working on the forefront of health sciences is an actual privilege. Talking to our study participants – whether or not they are patients who’ve benefited from life-changing treatments or those willing to volunteer their precious time in order that we will higher understand life-limiting conditions, knowing that their health may not improve improve – is incredibly humiliating.

(5) What advice would you give to others who would love to pursue an identical nursing position?
Clinical research offers nurses the chance to advance their careers in lots of areas, whether it’s disease specialization, advanced clinical skills, or developing and leading others in education and management. This is a fast-growing, exciting field that has brought urgent public health research into COVID-19 into the highlight, showing that it is a crucial a part of a responsive NHS.

Chloë Cowan (@clo_cowan) graduated as a Registered Nurse from the University of Glasgow (@UofGNurse) (BAN 1998, MA 2004). He is Head of the Glasgow Clinical Research Facility (@GlasgowCRF), a part of the UKCRF Network (@NIHR_UKCRFN) and NHS Research Scotland (@NHSResearchScot). Since writing this blog, Chloë has been appointed Senior Research and Innovation Manager at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (@NHSGGC).

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