MindMap Gallery Convatec - Clinical Specialist, Infusion Care
The recruitment of Convatec Clinical Specialists (Infusion Care) focuses on candidates' behavioral questions, such as stress management, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Candidates are also required to have a deep understanding of product knowledge, industry standards, and regulatory compliance. In terms of problem-solving and innovation, the recruiting party expects candidates to propose innovative solutions, optimize existing processes, and make quick and wise decisions in emergencies.
Edited at 2024-11-29 15:10:15Convatec - Clinical Specialist, Infusion Care
Behavioural questions
Tell me about yourself
Present
Since September, I’ve been working at Hayah Medical Centre, a medical device and supplies company led by my husband. In my role as a Project Manager, I oversee the development and launch of medical devices like CPAPs, BiPAPs, and oxygen generators, focusing on operational efficiency and cross-functional collaboration to drive company growth.
Past
Previously, I worked at Novartis as a Project Manager, managing oncology clinical trials and ensuring regulatory compliance. I also served as a Clinical Research Associate, where I gained experience in clinical trial management and regulatory standards. In terms of my educational background: I hold an MSc in Translational Neuroscience from Imperial College London, where I focused on AI in healthcare, and a BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Roehampton, with research on Vitamin D's role in multiple sclerosis. I fell in love with my education because it provided me with a strong foundation in science and research, which I love to apply in my current and past roles.
Future
Looking forward, I’m very eager to continue my career in medical affairs, particularly within medical devices. I’m excited by the opportunity to work with products like the Neria™Guard infusion device, and I look forward to contributing to the development of innovative healthcare solutions that improve patient care. I truly believe that the clinical specialist role at Convatec is a great fit, becuase I can combine my expertise in regulatory compliance, collaboration, and patient-centered care.
What are your strenghts and weaknesses
Strengths I personally don't believe in single strengths, instead, I feel that a combined set of strengths are what makes us more unique. for example: my first strength is not simply attention to detail, but instead, it is attention to details and project management
1. Attention to details in project management Coming from a scientific background, I have learnt to become an expert in giving attention to details. This helps a lot in project management as it ensures that I manage every aspect of a project from timelines to compliance. This attention coupled with my strong project management skills, such as implementing Scrum and Agile methodologies is my definition of work smart as it leads me to streamline workflows and deliver projects on time, even under pressure.
2. Organization & Cross-Functional Collaboration My ability to stay organised has been key to managing cross-functional teams effectively. Whether collaborating with marketing, sales, or R&D, I ensure smooth communication and clear role delegation.
3. Adaptability & Leadership I thrive in dynamic environments, adapting quickly to changing priorities and challenges. For example, My adaptibility to maintain clear communication and team motivation, combined with my leadership skills, allows me to handle unforseen challenges effectively which is critical in a fast-paced field like clinical research.
Weaknesses
1. Limited experience with Specific Tools I am unsure of what are Convatec's specific platforms but I am certain that there will be some that i have not used previously. However, I consistently demonstrated the ability to quickly learn new tools. For example, while working as a hotel receptionist during my undergraduate degree, I mastered the Opera PMS system within a week, and at Novartis, I swiftly adapted to their clinical trial management software GEMS. I am confident that I will be able to get up to speed quickly with any new technology required at Convatec.
2. Overly Detail-Orientated I can sometimes become so focused on tasks that I lose sight of the bigger picture. However, I've worked to balance this by scheduling time in my diary to regularly step back and reassess overall project goals and align my tasks accordingly. I also like to actively seek input from team members to ensure that I maintain a broader perspective.
3. Self-criticism I tend to be overly self-critical, which occasionally leads to dissatisfaction even when I've achieved positive results. To manage this, I've developed a weekly self-evaluation process. This helps me focus on incremental improvements rather than waiting for large milestones, allowing for earlier corrections and a more balanced view of my performance.
See myself in 5 years
My 5 year career plan is both structured & flexible to adapt to new opportunities & challenges. 1st year: In my first year, I will focus on mastering the Clinical Specialist role, building expertise in the Neria™Guard infusion device and other products, and ensuring successful product implementations through strong cross-functional collaboration. 2nd and 3rd year: Over the next two years, I will deepen my experience in global medical affairs, particularly in product development and clinical evaluations. I aim to take on leadership roles, such as mentoring and managing complex initiatives, to drive innovation and efficiency in the infusion care domain. 4th and 5th: Years four and five will focus on evolutionary leadership, where I will continuously adapt my skills to stay ahead of industry trends while meeting the evolving needs of the company. Whether it’s championing new technologies, leading cross-functional initiatives, or developing new strategies, I see myself driving lasting change, making a significant impact while remaining flexible in a rapidly evolving industry. Ultimately, my goal is to grow into a role where I can both innovate and mentor, contributing to Convatec’s long-term success and staying agile in response to industry shifts.
Experience and background
Working in medical device and pharmaceutical industry
S: At Novartis, I managed oncology clinical trials, focusing on regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Additionally, at a medical ventilator manufacturer, I worked on projects that achieved FDA approval for innovative respiratory devices. T: My role required managing complex clinical data and ensuring the devices met international regulatory standards, including ISO 13485. A: i led cross-functional teams, streamlined documentation workflows, and developed tailored communication strategies to engage stakeholders. For instance, I leveraged advanced document management systems, improving efficiency by 20%. R: My efforts resulted in timely FDA approvals, increasing market penetration by 30%, and enhancing stakeholder trust in the company’s products
GCLP standards in clinical trials
S: At Novartis, I was responsible for ensuring that our clinical trials complied with GCLP. T: My role involved managing compliance across multiple study sites and ensuring that all data handling procedures met the necessary regulatory requirements. A: I developed a compliance monitoring plan that included regular on audits and remote data checks. I collaborated with our legal and regulatory teams to update our SOPs and integrated compliance tracking into our trial management system. Furthermore, I organised training sessions for the trial staff to ensure they understood GCLP guidelines and how to adhere to them in daily operations. R: These actions resulted in successfull regulatory audits, with no significant findings.
Leadership style, monitoring or guiding others
A while ago, I read a book about relationships, and one key lesson was how criticism often leads to self-justification. It shared the example of a construction manager who would scold employees for not wearing protective hats, but they would only comply when he was around. The change came when the manager shifted from criticism to asking if the hats were uncomfortable or ill-fitting. This approach led to more genuine compliance because the employees felt cared for, not just told what to do. This reinforced my belief in leading by example but also taught me the value of encouraging autonomy within my team. I focus on coaching and mentoring, especially with junior members. For instance, I’ve guided new hires through regulatory compliance and documentation, always building trust before offering constructive feedback. This approach not only helps them grow but ensures we meet our project goals effectively.
Technical and regulatory
Working on a regulatory submission
S: Atlantamed - At the medical ventilator manufacturer I worked at, I managed regulatory submissions for the mechanical ventilators, and had to comply with ISO 13485 and FDA requirements. T: My goal was to make sure that the submissions were on time and compliant to secure market access for a new ventilator. A: The first thing i went ahead and done was to analyzed any gaps in the documentation, to do that i collaborated with R&D and engineering teams to resolve deficiencies. I then went ahead and done a clear review framework using collaborative tools like Microsoft Teams, organized weekly progress meetings, and standardized submission workflows to improve accuracy. R: This led to the ventilators receiving FDA approval, which led to a 30% increase in market penetration and therefore expanded the company's footprint in North Africa
Reviewing Technical documentations
S: At Novartis, I was responsible for reviewing clinical protocols and design verification documents for prostate cancer trials. T: My role here was to ensure that there was precision, compliance with regulatory guidelines, and timely submissions A: To achieve this I created and followed this multi-step review process, which included automated compliance checks with Veeva, as well as cross-functional feedback. I also trained team members on document standardization to make sure that there is consistency with quality across all departments. R: Thankfully, these efforts improved document accuracy by 20%, reduced review time by 15%, and contributed to meeting critical submission deadlines.
Collaboration and communication
Collaborating across departments
S: At the clinical centre i worked with, I managed a Phase 2-3 respiratory trial involving marketing, clinical and operational teams. T: I was in charge of making sure that all these departments align well to streamline operations and to meet the recruitment goals. A: The challenge here was to figure out how to implement a system that would be easy to follow to address transparency and accountability. At the time, I after consulting a few colleagues, I established this shared tracking system which facilitated cross-departmental workshops to address any challenges, and I also made sure to tailor my communication style to each team's needs, for example, I found it to be much more efficient to provide technical summaries for the clinical teams, as opposed to the marketing team which I provided with simplified visual updates. R: This trial achieved a 95% compliance, reduced patient recruitment timelines by around 30%, and significantly improved team collaboration.
HCPs and product awareness
S: Supportin g my husband's medical device company, I created awareness content for pulmonologists about respiratory conditions like Asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. T: The company has a similar vision to convatec actually, and that is to provide medical care at home with medical devices like oxygen generators and services from nurses and doctors. The challenge that i noticed his company needed help with however, was how to cross the bridge between HCPs and Patients. Hence why, the idea was to increase awareness of the different respiratory diseases, and how home medical devices can help provide the care a patient needs from the comfort of their home. A: I noticed a challenge in bridging the gap between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients, particularly in raising awareness of respiratory diseases and the benefits of home medical devices. To address this, I reached out to pulmonologists to understand current concerns, then collaborated with one to tailor the content. I developed visually engaging materials to simplify complex topics, such as prevalence graphs, ensuring accuracy with the pulmonologist. Finally, I presented this content at community events to build trust and engage both HCPs and patients. R: We saw a massive surge in engagement between the company and the HCPs but also between us and the patients who's trust in us led to more inquiries about the company's products.
Problem solving and innovation
Project Management under tight deadlines
S: As a medical project manager at Novartis, I juggled multiple oncology project with overlapping timelines. T: I was required to deliver all projects on time without compromising quality or regulatory compliance. A: I began by attending a Project manager workshop and that is when I came across Scrum methodologies, and decided to learn how to apply it in order to begin prioritising tasks and improving team collaboration. R: By keeping the team focused awnd on track we reduced project durations by 30%, and increased operational efficiencies, and thankfully, all projects were delivered successfully.
Adapting to changing circumstances in a project
S: At Novartis, midway through a clinical trial, we faced unexpected changes in regulatory requirements. T: My task was to adapt the trial's documentation, and process to align with the new guidelines without delaying the project. A: I quickly assembled a team to review the updated requirements, adjusted the workflows, and provided targeted training to ensure compliance. I also maintained open communication with regulatory authorities to address potential concerns proactively. R: Finaly, the trial continued on schedule, with no compliance issues, and achieved a 15% reduction in delays due to the updated risk management strategies.
Handling conflicts
S: During my time at the Medical Centre, I was managing a clinical trial when a disagreement arose between two departments over resource allocation. T: I was tasked with resolving this conflict to ensure the project stayed on track without affecting timelines. A: I organised a meeting to understand both perspectives, facilitated an open dialogue and proposed a compromise where resources were shared based on priority tasks. I also ensured that the departments had a clear communication channel moving forward. R: The conflict was resolved swiftly, and the project proceeded without any further delays, improving overall team collaboration.
Risk Management
S: At the medical ventilator manufacturer, I was responsible for risk assessments during the FDA approval process for new ventilators. T: My objective was to identify potential risks early and implement mitigation strategies to ensure compliance for safety. A: To do that, I conducted detailed hazard analyses, collaborated with the R&D teams to address potential issues, and developed a risk mitigation framework to standardise procedures. R: This approach reduced project failures and ensured compliance with ISO 13485, which facilitated the smooth FDA Aproval procedure.
Convatec
Why Convatec:
I’m really excited about Convatec because the company’s mission to improve patient care through innovative products really resonates with me. I’m particularly impressed with how Convatec is leading the way in infusion care, like with the Neria™Guard device, which is a great example of how the company is making a real impact on patient outcomes. I also value the collaborative environment here. From what I’ve learned, Convatec really emphasizes working together across teams, which is something I thrive in. Given my background in clinical project management and working closely with regulatory teams, I feel I could really contribute to driving new projects forward and improving operational efficiency. Ultimately, it’s Convatec’s commitment to both patient-centered care and innovation that excites me. The opportunity to be part of a company that’s making such a tangible difference in healthcare aligns perfectly with my professional goals.
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