Job overview
We are inviting applications for an exciting opportunity to work as a research support worker on a NIHR funded research project ‘Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study’ lead by the University of Lancaster to test and evaluate a ‘support link’ intervention for people with severe mental illness (SMI) who experience difficulties in attending a dentist.
People with SMI often experience barriers to accessing dental care and may experience poor oral health as a result. Accessing a dentist for people with SMI can be difficult for lots of reasons. People can feel helpless, fearful, or demotivated about attending. They can have difficulty booking, planning, and getting to appointments. They may struggle to pay for or access free dental care. Unfortunately, existing dental initiatives have not addressed the barriers facing this group and do not help people with SMI to attend the dentist.
We want to help people with SMI to access dental care.
This intervention study will utilise a mental health support worker to deliver a ‘support link’ intervention offering practical and motivational support to people with severe mental health illness around attending a dentist within the Pennine Care footprint to reduce dental health inequalities.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop research and clinical skills, and work with a multidisciplinary research team that includes clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, and dentists
Main duties of the job
You will be working with people under the care of secondary care mental health services (i.e. CMHT / EIT) and will deliver the ‘support link’ intervention by offering motivational support and help to people to plan, book, seek financial support, and attend regular dental appointments. You will receive training and supervision to deliver the ‘support link’ intervention and you will be required to complete training in Good Clinical Practice to undertake the role.
You will be expected to build relationships with clinical services to promote the ‘Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study’ and you will encourage care coordinators to identify service users on their caseloads who are experiencing difficulties in accessing dental care to facilitate referrals into the research study.
You will be responsible in delivering the ‘support link’ intervention and building relationships with the service user, dentists, and the wider research team. The role will involve a combination of visiting clinical teams, face to face visits in individuals’ homes and attending dental surgeries within the Pennine Care footprint
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The detailed job description and person specification are available as attachments to this advertisement
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* •NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care / The Care Certificate or equivalent experience •Commitment to undertake Continuing Personal Development
Desirable criteria
* •Degree in psychology or relevant field, or relevant experience / associated qualification in mental health •Completion of Good Clinical Practice or a commitment to complete upon commencing the role
Experience
Essential criteria
* •Experience of working with people with severe mental illness (SMI) in an NHS clinical setting or equivalent •Experience of proactively engaging with health professionals and/or community groups, secondary care services, and external agencies •Previous experience of working with a multidisciplinary team
Desirable criteria
* •Previous clinical research experience •Previous experiencing working in a Community Mental Health or Early Intervention Team
Skills
Essential criteria
* •Ability to form positive therapeutic relationships with service users and carers to promote engagement in the link intervention. •Ability to form positive working relationships with care coordinators and display high levels of motivation to facilitate referrals to the link intervention •Has confidence and and enthusiasm to promote the Mouth Matters in Mental Health study within clinical services •Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload. •Ability to work autonomously using own initiative, and as a member of a team •Ability to listen and communicate effectively at all levels with the public and colleagues. •An ability to act calmly in and to respond in a professional and supportive manner to distressed service users when appropriate. •An awareness of own limitations and can seek support / raise risk issues with senior colleagues and any relevant agencies as required. •Accurate written communication skills to enable completion of clinical records and other study related documentation. •Willingness and ability to travel independently to patients, clinical teams, and dental surgeries across the Trust Footprint and to external meetings / events as required. •Excellent computer skills – able to use Microsoft Office inc. Word, Excel and email programs.
Desirable criteria
* •Knowledge of research governance framework and current legislation •Previous use of databases. •Ability to integrate complex data; make evaluations formulations and decisions.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* •A good understanding of severe mental illness (i.e. Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Bipolar Affective Disorder) •Familiarity with the issues surrounding clinical data, particularly confidentiality.
Desirable criteria
* • Knowledge of the barriers people with SMI experience in accessing and engaging with physical health / dental care •Knowledge and understanding of the Department of Health Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care, ICH GCP Guidelines and additional frameworks / policies.
📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.