Mark Warburton is a Clinical Trials Administrator working with the Metabolic Medicine Research Team at Salford Care Organisation. Over the past year, he’s been supporting the team to deliver a range of clinical trials and contributing to innovative research in metabolic medicine. Here he blogs about his work and his apprenticeship to develop his career.
My role
As a Clinical Trials Administrator, I perform a variety of admin tasks essential to the successful delivery of our clinical trials. My responsibilities range from data entry and preparing paperwork, to attending meetings relating to the trials and meeting with study monitors. For me the most interesting part of my job is learning about the rare genetic diseases which we research in metabolic medicine.
While at university I learnt about some of the diseases in a genetics module, however I had no idea that inherited metabolic disorders include more than 500 diseases, some of which are so rare that only a few people in the world suffer from them. Working in this role has introduced me to a new specialty of medicine and it is rewarding to know that I am contributing to such an under-researched and underrepresented field.
The apprenticeship
Alongside my role as Clinical Trials Administrator, I have enrolled on a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is funded by the NCA and I dedicate seven hours of my normal working week to studying. This is a great arrangement because I don’t have to spend any of my free time studying and I can work towards a new qualification while earning my full salary. So far, the apprenticeship has been useful in helping me to further enhance my organisational skills and efficiency. By working through various modules, such as project management and planning and organisation, I’ve been able to streamline my work and learn new skills which I can apply to this role and my future career.
My prior experience
Prior to becoming a Clinical Trials Administrator I completed a BSc in Medical Sciences and worked in various admin roles. While at university I learnt about clinical research and pharmaceutical development, it was there that my interest in research first began. After graduating I found a job at another NHS trust, first working as a receptionist in outpatients and then as a clinic coordinator. I found these positions were fundamental in developing my communication, time management, and organisational abilities. After 18 months I began applying for roles in clinical research and was eventually offered the position at Salford. Moving from a role in outpatients to research came as a shock and took some getting used to, however after a year I now feel more capable in my role.
Looking ahead
Through my apprenticeship and role in research, I feel I am continually having new experiences and learning new things, this is something which I find very rewarding. I look forward to using the skills and knowledge I am gaining to further my career and contribute to the advancements research. I hope to use my experience to progress in research in the NHS and possibly further study in the future.