Natalie Parker

My role

As a Clinical Research Practitioner, I work across multiple service lines on research studies and clinical trials. At any one time I can be working either independently within my own scope of practice, or be supporting my Nursing/AHP colleagues, in the feasibility, set up, opening, running and closing of multiple studies.

I work to deliver safe, ethical and high quality clinical research care. I am part of the Clinical Research Practitioner Directory, and I am currently working towards becoming a Registered Practitioner with the AHCS.

My responsibilities

I work on the set-up, project coordination and delivery of a portfolio of research trials and studies across Solent NHS Trust, including meeting with clinical teams and community partners, recruiting participants and completing study measures and administration. I am qualified in Venepuncture, and can undertake basic Obs, as well as carry out swabs and other clinical tests.

I work on the planning and running of the Academy Conference and also help to induct and train new starters in the team. I also manage the close-down and archiving of studies, and I am the Information Governance Custodian for the Academy.

My background

I graduated from Portsmouth University with a BA(hons) in Business and have worked in the NHS for the last 16 years. I started out as an Admin Assistant in Occupational Therapy and then quickly became the Team Leader. My role then changed to Management Admin Team Leader in Adults Portsmouth before I took a year out to have my first child. When returning from maternity, I joined the Research and Improvement Team as an administrator and then later became a Clinical Research Assistant. I have now become a Practitioner.

Why I love my job

I love how diverse our role is, every day is varied, every study is different. We are always learning new skills and working out ways to best carry out research in the community. I get to work with lots of my colleagues across the whole team, who all have difference experiences and expertise. It's great to be part of a team which is working towards improvements in future healthcare.

Current projects/research studies

• PREVENT IAD - PREVENTion and Treatment of Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) through optimising care: a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of the IAD Manual to prevent and treat IAD in participants with incontinence

  
  

• DISCO-UTI - Feasibility cohort study on predictors of diagnosis and prognosis of urine infection in care home residents

  
  

• Feasibility and Acceptability of Scalable Tests (FAST) Brain study: determining the feasibility and acceptability of collecting and analysing blood samples as well as cognitive data relevant to dementia risk