Clinical Data Manager Review

The role depends on the studies you are assigned and the stage at which the trial may be, from start-up to closeout it varies. Day to day I attend study meetings as well as data management team meetings to keep track of progress and issues that arise. I review the eTMF routinely, create trackers for patient data cleanliness, assist with PGL's and protocol amendments. I review the SDTM data mapping and annotated CRF to ensure quality of data as well any tasks that are required by the teams I work with.

I have developed my Excel and PowerPoint skills greatly as use this daily, as well as become more organised with outlook and teams. My presentation skills have improved this year as it is encouraged from the beginning, regularly networking and presenting increased my confidence greatly. Learning about the mapping from raw EDC data to SDTM domains was new for me and is ongoing. Furthermore I learnt the basics of SQL coding to run checks on the data in Study Explorer.

It varied throughout the placement depending on timelines for the studies and I know others in DM that were assigned a study to oversee themselves, as SDM or DMQL. I assisted on multiple studies, within them I had the responsibility of different projects and tasks, whether it be resolving issues or working on the downstream affects of a protocol amendment or PGL. I also ran meeting series' and maintained an issues tracker for the study team for example.

My manager was very supportive and available for help or advice where required. This was partly as we worked on a lot of the same studies, you may not talk as frequently if your work doesn't overlap (i.e. catchups every week but may not message every day). The company in general offers a lot of support where needed, within DM we have a buddy system with those returned from placement which is great as they know what we are going through and can offer advice.

There is a great company culture and a lot of on site and online activities and seminars etc. to get involved with. It is a big company but within it there are organisations and groups to be apart of. With more people coming into the office now it has a busy and energised atmosphere. I can only speak for the head office but I know this will be replicated in other sites. It is an inclusive culture.

I greatly enjoyed the placement, the advice I heard beforehand of giving yourself at least a few months to feel settled is definitely true. Despite it being a great opportunity there is always going to be days with imposter syndrome or an overwhelming schedule but I really enjoyed being apart of the company and the people I saw in the office each day. There is a lot to get involved in and tailor it to be your year.

Yes

Be yourself in the application process, if you're the right fit then they would love to have you on board. Try to evidence the core values that we work towards at GSK, without proving it the person reading your application won't know you as well and you may miss out. Don't just talk about school, even whilst working at GSK it is more than just completing the day job- we have the chance to get involved in activities, projects, and develop as a person.