Volunteering

Kings Health Partnership Cancer Biobank Team are looking for volunteers who can effectively discuss with cancer patients why the Biobank is asking for their consent to donate samples for research.

Clinics take place in Guy’s Cancer Centre and other locations at Guy’s Hospital, on Monday to Friday both morning and afternoon.

Discussions with patients can include telephone conversations for ‘virtual consent’ as well as face to face (F2F) discussions in clinics.  Both options however will require you to come to Guy’s Hospital to use our IT and be supervised.

Background

Collecting or banking tissue and data from patients for research purposes is recognised as essential for studying the cause, diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. At King’s Health Partners (KHP), we believe biobanking is of strategic importance to our vision of providing world-class clinical services, research and academic excellence in teaching for the benefit of patients in South East London and beyond.

Collecting tissue and data from patients for research is subject to strict regulation, as defined by the Human Tissue Act 2004. In particular, all patients must give consent for their tissue and data to be collected and used for research, once they have been made aware of the risks and benefits of donation.

Patients are given an information leaflet about the Biobank but it’s important that they also have opportunity to discuss what they have read and have their questions answered before they are asked to sign and date a consent form. It is this discussion that the volunteer will lead, to ensure that a patient really does understand before giving their consent.

This is an opportunity for members of the public to become part of a research team and an advocate for truly informed consent for biobank activities.

What does it involve?

• Meeting with patients to discuss KHP Cancer Biobank and tissue/data donation – virtually and F2F.
• Taking and witnessing patient consent for biobank activities
• Providing feedback on consent processes to help develop the programme
• Being an advocate for patient and public involvement in medical research
• Attending training
• Working with and supporting other volunteers on the programme

What Experience or Skills are required?

We are looking for people over the age of 20 who are able to commit at least 4 hours per fortnight for at least 1 year and have the attributes described below. This particular role is not suitable for anyone receiving active treatment for cancer or who has had a close bereavement within the last 12 months.

• Excellent spoken and written English
• Willingness to undertake training
• Willingness to familiarise yourself with medical and research language
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Basic computer skills
• Good organisational skills
• Friendly and approachable
• Commitment to voluntary role for at least one year
• Reliable and punctual
• Ability to be open minded and respect other peoples opinions
• Commitment to keep sensitive information confidential and to sign a declaration of confidentiality
• Commitment not to discuss clinical information or medically-related personal experiences with patients or carers and to sign an agreement to these terms

Please note:

This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so potential volunteers will be required to declare details of any criminal background. All suitable volunteers will undergo a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Training and Support

Full training will be provided by members of the KHP Cancer Biobank, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Trust and external companies. Initial training will include a seminar and practical session that covers:

• Legal framework for seeking consent
• Overview of how donated tissue and data are used for research
• Communication techniques

This training will be delivered via TEAMS

1. Legal framework and overview of use of tissue and data will be covered in the Human tissue act (HTA) training course ~1 hour

2. Communication techniques will be covered in the practical consent training course -~1 hour

These sessions are yet to be confirmed.

Training in the clinic environment will include watching staff discuss and seek biobank consent and then being observed undertaking the consent process.

Volunteer, clinical supervisor and biobank consent coordinator will collectively agree when the volunteer is able to seek consent with minimal supervision.

Support will be available at all times via the biobank consent coordinator or biobank manager.

Once trained volunteers will have to observe a trained person taking consent twice and then be observed taking consent themselves twice.  After this they will be fully trained to take consent themselves – however support will always be available if needed.

Expenses

 You will not be paid to undertake this role but full reasonable travel costs and £5 towards refreshments can be claimed for and will be paid via BACs transfer.