Subject Development Coordinator - Clinical Trials specialist - part-time, casual role

This opportunity requires an enthusiastic and suitably qualified Subject Development Coordinator (SDC) to take overall responsibility for the design, implementation and delivery of the Melbourne MicroCert (MMC) course ‘Embarking on Clinical Trials: An Investigators Toolkit’ in the ‘Emerging Topics in Oncology’ series. The MMCs are a cancer specific, multidisciplinary, flexible, wholly online short skill-based course targeted at cancer professionals. This course is being developed in partnership between the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) and the University of Melbourne (UoM). 

Responsibilities will include overseeing the following areas within the course:

• Curriculum development of the content, design of learning activities, assessments and evaluation.

The phases of curriculum delivery include:

• Planning
• Design
• Production
• Quality assurance

The SDC will liaise closely with the Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education (MSPACE) team, the Master of Cancer Sciences Convenors and the extended VCCC academic team to ensure that the course meets the overarching project objectives and provides a seamless, integrated experience as part of the Melbourne MicroCert series.

Contractural arrangement:

• This opportunity is funded as a joint initiative by the VCCC and UoM.
• Workload: Fixed term for 4 months from June 2021 to October 2021 at an approximate time commitment of 0.2FTE. Hours may vary over different phases of the project.
• The incumbent will be expected to manage their own time to meet the requirements of the contract.
• Payment: Total stipend of $5000, to be paid in 4 tranches upon receipt of a tax invoice and progress reviews of key milestones.

The Course

Melbourne Microcert – Emerging Topics in Oncology Series: Embarking on Clinical Trials: An Investigators Toolkit

Overview 

The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) and Melbourne School of Professional & Continuous Education (MSPACE) are developing a suite of four MMCs on contemporary topics in cancer research and clinical care.

Melbourne MicroCerts are the University of Melbourne’s unique micro-credential offering. Aligned to industry and workforce needs, these small, highly accessible courses equip individuals with in-demand skills and knowledge for your job now and helps you build a diverse skill-set for the future. As the world of work continues to evolve, Melbourne MicroCerts keep you relevant. 

The Emerging Topics in Oncology Series:

The Emerging Topics in Oncology series is aimed at health professionals, industry professionals and researchers working in the oncology sector, who wish to upskill and update their knowledge and practical skills in various specialised areas of clinical trials, drug commercialisation, precision medicine and genomics and health economics.  

Embarking on clinical trials: An Investigators Toolkit:

This MicroCert will offer a short, practical guide on how to develop a clinical trial protocol using examples from established cancer trials. This will include theoretical knowledge on how a clinical trial is conducted and the various aspects of trial design (the objective(s), study design, methodology, statistical considerations and organisation of a clinical trial,) and how the protocol ensures the safety of the trial subjects and integrity of the data collected.

It will also include a case study of the innovative trial design, Teletrials. The MicroCert is delivered across a six-week time frame to ensure the learning experience creates time for learners to apply the new knowledge and practices they acquire in their services with colleagues during term. Learners will be introduced to learning material at targeted time points during this six-week period to build knowledge over time. Videos of practicing clinicians, industry experts, researchers and thought leaders will be used to complement online reading. Learners’ independent study will be supported by interactive synchronous webinars and interactive asynchronous discussion boards, to deepen learners’ knowledge and understandings of key content through guided learning, peer discussions and facilitated activities.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this MicroCert, students will be able to:

• Explain the phases involved in the development and delivery of clinical trials
• Describe the various objectives, inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessment framework, data handling and ethical considerations in clinical trial design
• Develop a clinical trial protocol, with the inclusion of all study design considerations 

Potential topics/ key concepts:

Key concepts examined during this Melbourne MicroCert include:

• Understand the underlying principles and considerations for clinical trial protocol development such as:
• Objectives/purpose
• Study design
• Selection and exclusion of subjects
• Randomisation and bias
• Treatment of subjects
• Assessment of efficacy
• Assessment of safety
• Adverse events
• Discontinuation of the study
• Statistics
• Quality control and assurance
• Ethics
• Data handling and recordkeeping
• Publication policy
• Project timetable/flowchart
• Participant information sheets/consent forms
• Explore the various trial designs and critically assess the benefits and limitations of these designs
• Explore case studies and assess the pitfalls and causes of approval delays and clinical trial failure
• Understand the principles of Good Clinical Practice and regulatory and reporting requirements for clinical trials 

Assessment: 

 The SDC will also be responsible for continuous refinement of the curriculum's structure and content in response to feedback and changing educational methods.  

The SDC will ensure all learning events, written and recorded resources are maintained in an optimal form. In addition, they will work with the team to develop an assessment blueprint and lead item development, standard-setting and item evaluation. The SDC will coordinate the recruitment of subject matter experts for the working party, teaching faculty and assessors required for the subject. 

Key relationships

The SDC will be contracted by the VCCC and will work in close conjunction with numerous members of the VCCC and UoM team to design and develop the course. 

Internal (VCCC):

• VCCC Master of Cancer Sciences Convenors - Dr David Kok and Professor Grant McArthur
• VCCC Head of Education and Training - Michelle Barrett
• VCCC eLearning Developer
• VCCC Melbourne MicroCert - Working Party members
• VCCC Alliance partners
• Consumer representatives 

External (UoM) :

Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education (MSPACE)

• Project Manager
• Learning Designer
• Production team (Video Producers, Graphics Designers, Educational Technologists, and IT Programmers) 

KEY MILESTONES:

• Planning
• Macro subject design (topics to be covered, assessments)
• Establishment of the Working Party (consisting of subject matter experts (SMEs))
• Workshop and regular meetings for discussions and brainstorming with the team and SMEs (periodic). 

• Design
• Meso design of lessons and content writing and development for prototype 

• Pre-production
• Micro design content writing for remaining weeks, lesson interactives and QA

Production 

• Quality assurance
• Delivery (teaching period: 11 Oct 2021, for 6 weeks) 

Further Opportunity:

The Subject Development Coordinator will also have the potential further opportunity to deliver the MMC they led the development of. Opportunities will be discussed further at the relevant time and, where suitable for all parties, the incumbent will transition into a Subject Coordinator role for the implementation phase. At this point, the individual would be contracted by the University of Melbourne, within the University pay structure. The role and responsibilities of the Subject Coordinator position will be outlined in a separate position description which can be provided at interview or earlier upon request.  

Key requirements: 

1. Teaching and Learning

Curriculum development:

• Coordinate the development of the design, implementation and delivery of the MicroCert course Embarking on Clinical Trials: an investigators toolkit.
• Work with the support of the MSPACE team to produce all online materials for the subject
• Recruit and facilitate the MicroCert working party to provide content expertise for the course

Curriculum:

• Coordinate the production of the MicroCert course ‘Embarking on Clinical Trials: an investigators toolkit’.
• Ensure all written and recorded material is needs and evidence based and aligned with the curriculum
• Work with the MSPACE team to ensure all curriculum materials are presented optimally
• Develop appropriate guides for both faculty, assessors and students

Assessment:

• Develop an assessment blueprint in collaboration with the relevant MSPACE staff and Course Coordinator(s)
• Contribute to the development of assessment items, standard setting and item evaluation

Academic Workforce and Service:

• Be responsible for recruiting and supporting appropriate subject experts, or faculty to provide academic input, presentations and tutorials for the subject where required
• Act as a key point of contact with faculty to facilitate communication

General:

• Liaise with the MSPACE team to ensure timely production of educational resources
• Participate in all committee meetings relevant to the MicroCert
• Contribute to other medical education related activities as required. 

1. Leadership and Service

• Adopt leadership responsibilities within the VCCC through leading committees, delivering presentations, representing the VCCC, connecting people together etc.
• Participate in community and professional activities related to the relevant disciplinary area including attendance and presentations at conferences and seminars.
• Positive engagement in learning and career development of self and others through participating in the VCCC Leadership program.
• Effective demonstration and promotion of University values including diversity and inclusion and high standards of ethics and integrity.

Selection criteria 

Essential:

• A degree in medicine, nursing, allied health or the sciences, ideally specialising in the area of cancer clinical trials
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching
• Well-developed experience in curriculum design and preparing and delivering educational resources
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication
• Demonstrated strong organisational, time management and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external) and work collaboratively to achieve outcomes
• Ethical scholar who values diversity and works effectively with individual differences 

Desirable:

• A Master’s degree or above in a relevant field
• Experience teaching / developing courses in an online environment
• A higher degree in medical education
• A demonstrated interest in medical education research
• Clinical practice in a relevant area 

Special Requirements

• The Subject Development Coordinator may be required to maintain an appropriate teaching load as a faculty member within the MicroCert Course. 

How to apply:

Please send your application, including responses to the selection criteria, cover letter and CV no later than Monday 5 July to: 

Dr Sathana Dushyanthen
Graduate Programs Lead

[email protected]

Please request a ‘received receipt’ 

Contact for Enquiries:

Dr David Kok
Course Convenor
Tel +61 3 8559 5000
Email [email protected]

Please do not send your application to this contact 

EQUITY & INCLUSION

The VCCC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification and victimisation. The VCCC makes decisions on employment, engagement, promotion and reward on the basis of merit. 

The VCCC is committed to all aspects of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to providing all staff, contractors, appointees, volunteers and partners with a safe, respectful and rewarding environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, vilification and victimisation. This commitment is set out in the VCCC Equal Opportunity Policy and Bullying Prevention Policy. All staff and contractors are required to comply with VCCC policies. 

FURTHER INFORMATION: 

Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre 

The VCCC was established in 2009 and is a powerful alliance of ten successful Victorian organisations committed to cancer control: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne Health (including The Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The Royal Women’s Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Western Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (including St Vincent's Institute), Austin Health (including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and Austin Lifesciences) and Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

University of Melbourne
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