Stacey Bamford, Approvals Administrator
What is your job title and what year did you join the HRA?
My current job title is Approvals Administrator and before this I was a Research Ethics Committee (REC) Assistant. I joined the HRA on a year’s secondment from a research and innovation (R&I) team at a local hospital in 2017 and in 2018 I was made permanent.
What motivated you to work in this field?
I have worked in the NHS for 23 years, 21 of those years are continuous service and I have worked in various different administrative roles. It was only when I moved to Bristol from Blackpool, and I was successful in applying for a job as a Personal Assistant in the research and innovation team that I learnt more about the field. Prior to this, I didn’t really know much about NHS research, so I was able to learn more about what research was and how it can help patients, services and treatment in the future.
What would you like us to know about your work at the HRA?
First and foremost, I work with amazing colleagues and volunteers who are a pleasure to work alongside. I find everyone I speak to approachable and helpful, and it makes me proud to work for an employer whose aim is to promote transparency in research and make sure research is ethically reviewed and approved.
In my role, I assist the Approvals Specialist with the preparation and delivery of 3 full REC meetings that I am assigned to. This includes ensuring members and researchers confirm their attendance and produce the agenda and other relevant documents. I take minutes at the meeting and produce a final version to the Chair for sign off. I also prepare the relevant documentation for Proportionate Review Sub-Committee meetings and process amendments to existing studies issuing the relevant approvals. I am in daily contact with various members of multidisciplinary teams including healthcare professionals, sponsors, researchers and R&I departments.
What are the interesting challenges in your work?
I’d say trying to do your best to ensure research goes ahead. It can be heartbreaking when an applicant has spent a long time putting together a study to be told that further information is required, or they need to ‘go back to the drawing board’. We want all research to succeed as it makes a better future for our patients and NHS.
Do you have any career tips to share?
Share your career dreams with your line manager, as they can provide you with support on how to access further training you may need or advise you of things you hadn’t thought of. For example, shadowing the role you are interested in. Also, never be afraid to speak up if you feel something needs to be changed. The HRA has been great at listening to its staff and implementing changes based on their observations and feedback.
What’s your favourite part of working at the HRA?
The flexibility and the staff. I love being able to work from home and have all the IT equipment to do my role. My work life balance is a lot better, and it also helps with school drop off and pick ups as they are very flexible. I feel really privileged to work in the HRA and would recommend it as a great place to work.
Outside of the responsibilities of your role, what is there to get involved in at the HRA?
I am a co-lead for the HRA Camera Club, where a group of us share our photographs for a particular theme each month with the rest of the HRA, who then vote for their favourite. It’s a nice break to have from work and showcase the amazing talent we have at the HRA, which would otherwise go unnoticed. I am also a co-lead for the Working Parents and Carers Staff Network Group. The group meets every 2 months and provides support to parents and carers. Here we share hints, tips, stories and experiences with each other. For example, how do we manage the school holidays, places to visit and deals available. We also have other staff-led groups, a book club, Staff Voices and a menopause group.