Research staff working towards Clinical Research Practitioner status across Wales

To celebrate this week (18- 24 July) dedicated to Clinical Research Practitioners, we chat to research staff across Wales working towards this accredited registration which aims to improve the professional identity of research delivery staff, providing a clear career pathway.

Lucy Hill, a Senior Clinical Research Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board talks about her experience.

Lucy, 32 from Ffos Las, originally Weston-Super-Mare, started her career as a researcher but has moved into more of a patient-facing delivery role. She is at the very beginning of her CRP journey, she said:

I’ve worked in research for many years but always felt our role wasn’t as easy to define as more traditional roles.

We’ve just opened our brand-new clinical research centre at Glangwili Hospital and working towards this accredited registration will help to define my role and give it a recognisable identity that will fit within the clinical research profession.

We work on some amazing studies here from research into surgical site infections, and COVID-19 treatments to mental health studies and women’s health and everyday I’m astounded by how receptive the patients are to helping treatment and care of the future – it’s why we all do what we do."

Jayne Goodwin, National Head of Research Delivery at Health and Care Research Wales, said:

Clinical Research Practitioners are a vital component in our research workforce, aiding the delivery of high-quality and impactful clinical research. The accreditation scheme helps raise the status of the CRP professionals, recognise their contributions and ensure they are given the same professional development as other recognised professionals. We are thrilled to see Sean receiving the first registered accreditation in Wales and more CRPs working towards this accreditation.”  

The accreditation scheme is launched by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, in partnership with the Academy for Healthcare Science Accredited Registers Programme and is recognised by the Professional Standards Authority.

For more information on how to start your journey visit the NIHR website and chat to your line manager or if you’re working towards becoming a CRP, follow the conversation on twitter using #CRPractitioner.