Clinical Trial Assistant Review

Mostly, my days consisted of completing tasks and responsibilities that are key to the sample management and tracking aspects of clinical trials. These responsibilities usually ranged from weekly maintenance of patient samples crosschecked from a vendor database and contacting relevant trial staff to track the samples to ensure that they are not lost and are being processed timely. I did this for three trials where above-mentioned task was completed on different days for each. I have also helped out another trial in start-up phase with administrative duties which involved preparing meeting slide decks and completing an Excel sheet which contained information about the functions and responsibilities of different vendors used in the clinical trial and how to contact them as well as how often meetings need to be held for follow ups. I have helped out my department admin team whenever there was need, such as setting up meeting rooms for the quarterly meetings, updating team pictures and printing them in advance for these meetings. I also had my own project to run which ran over 4 months as well as having a preparation phase of 6 months. This consisted of email communications with the presentative at the local school to arrange event days, informing company logistic teams (security, catering) of the events that will take place at the company and ensuring the material to be taught to the year 8 students are consistent with what is expected of these students. Lastly, I was part of a voluntary mentoring group (Bridge to Employment) where I helped year 12 students from a local school with anything they need such as CV writing, confidence building, presenting and providing them advice with university/job applications.

I have definitely learnt new skills as well as developing existing skills. I had opportunities to push myself out of my comfort zone where I presented many different times to different audiences, in different scenarios. This was great as now I feel like I am more confident when it comes to presenting and have a different mindset about this. The project I oversaw and ran allowed me to build better communication skills as well as allowing me to test out my project and people management skills. My team working and communication skills were further improved by working alongside different global clinical trial teams where I met people from different backgrounds and cultures and talking to them on a daily basis. Lastly, I further improved my time management skills as I was involved in many trials as well as being a mentor and running my own project and juggling university work.

I was given a lot more responsibility during my placement than I had expected. Within the first few weeks, I was being given tasks to complete and was helping out my department as well as completing my company and role-specific trainings. As time went on, I was being asked to complete more tasks and get more in-depth within the work I was completing. I went from understanding the structure and purpose of sample management trackers and sending out emails to follow up patient samples with representatives of different sites involved in the trial globally, to being asked to develop similar types of trackers from scratch 6 months in as well as teaching trial staff, e.g., clinical team, how to use the tracker and how the Excel formulas work within the tracker.

I had so much support and guidance during my placement year that I felt a part of a family from my first week. Not only did I have the support of my line manager, I had the support of the department I worked in; I was being asked how I am doing, if there is anything that does not click and being provided tips on how to get going with the work I was being assigned. Everything was made clear upon me asking questions and I was always encouraged to ask questions when there was something I did not understand.

The company culture revolves around providing the best possible treatments to patients who are in need and this is highlighted in the Credo. However, once I got going at the company, I was able to see that everyone literally works towards this aim. The company is also very inclusive and diverse which makes you feel a lot more welcome. The general atmosphere of the company is amazing! Everyone is always trying to help you out and check up on you, there is a lot of support provided even if it is personal and not work related and I worked and spoke to people who are high up but you never feel like you are chatting with someone high up. It is almost like a family environment which is so helpful when it comes to settling in.

I have really enjoyed my placement year at Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). It was beyond my expectations as I knew that the role was office based but I did not realise how many different opportunities and tasks I would have as well as the depth of work I would have. The opportunity of talking to and working with so many people from around the world was a great experience and I was treated like any other colleague in the company which made me feel very welcome. Seeing the trust I developed with people I worked with really allowed me to excel in my work and motivated me further to improve myself.

Yes

The best thing I can say is go in with an open mind and do not be afraid. Everyone always told me how they were in my shoes once and it gets better and you learn more and more as you settle in and take tasks on board. It is also highly important to mention that everyone is very welcoming and it is literally like a family so there is no reason to be afraid to ask any questions. I was always told that no question is stupid which I stayed in the back of my mind and helped me feel more at ease when I was confused.