Job overview
The Senior Clinical Research Assistant will support the delivery of the research study, which is a novel Greater Manchester wide implementation pilot and evaluation of a Mental Health Joint Response Car for Young People and Families experiencing mental health crisis.
The post holder will become a member of the Young People's Mental Health Research Centre, benefitting from the vibrant and supportive research environment of the Centre and existing team.
The role will involve leading on discrete tasks within the research team, the recruitment of participants, following informed assent and consent processes, supporting people with lived experience advising on the project, presenting to a variety of stakeholders about the project at events and meetings, supporting the dissemination and communication plan, and undertaking a range of clinical research assessments as per study protocols and local guidelines for the completion of research documentation. These may include but are not exclusive to
the completion of research assessments, qualitative interviews, workshops, engaging with the immersive theatre component of the study, and the management of routinely collected quantitative data.
Main duties of the job
The role will involve the recruitment of participants, following informed assent and consent processes, supporting people with lived experience advising on the project, presenting to a variety of stakeholders about the project at events and meetings, supporting the dissemination and communication plan, and undertaking a range of clinical research assessments as per study protocols and local guidelines for the completion of research documentation. These may include but are not exclusive to the completion of research assessments, qualitative interviews, workshops, engaging with the immersive theatre component of the study, and the management of routinely collected quantitative data.
The role also involves providing information and answering any questions or queries from patients, staff, stakeholders, participants and carers about the study.
The post holder will use excellent communication skills to communicate with a variety of stakeholders and have advanced organisational skills to prioritise and effectively manage their workload.
Working for our organisation
The post holder will work independently according to an agreed plan and under supervision within the Trust’s R&D framework. The Research and Innovation Department has responsibility for all elements of research governance within the Trust and provides corporate support to internal staff and external partners undertaking research, service evaluations and innovation projects
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Recruitment and Delivery
• Promoting the study to staff and service users across Greater Manchester.
• Where required, exercise professional judgement to assess patient eligibility for participation in research projects.
• To lead on discrete tasks within the research team.
• Managing enquires from potential recruits and/or their advocates.
• Communicating detailed information to young people and their families and advocates about their participation in the study. Includes providing complex research related information to research participants when taking informed consent for the research study or carrying out a research procedure.
• Offer support to participants during their involvement in the research project.
• Liaise with appropriate multi-disciplinary team members in health and social care, and Greater Manchester Police, regarding recruitment and support of research participants.
• Visit participants at a variety of locations to assess eligibility, take informed consent and collect outcome measures, in consideration of individual need, using prioritisation and delegation skills.
• Ensure all research activities are undertaken in adherence with the study protocol and the UK policy framework for health and social care research.
• Undertake qualitative interviews.
• To maintain confidentiality of information regarding patients, families, and carers at all times.
• Communicate and liaise effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary and research teams within and external to the Trust, both verbally and in writing, providing and receiving complex or sensitive information. This often involves communicating and conveying complex and sensitive information about a patient’s treatment decision making capacity status to the patient, carers, family, and other clinicians.
• Complete audio-recordings of interviews and their transcription
• Inputting of data.
• Proactively engage stakeholders in the research process, supporting recruitment to stakeholder groups that are representative of the communities we serve.
• Assist in the facilitation of focus groups.
• To be aware of the psychological/emotional needs of the patient/carer, responding and reporting appropriately (e.g., reporting as necessary adverse and serious adverse events and breaches of study protocol, as per individual requirements).
• Engaging fully in supervision, communicating openly and honestly about experiences and progress on the project.
Project Management Support
• Work closely and effectively with other team members towards the success of the project.
• Arrange briefings for teams and stakeholders as appropriate.
• Assist the project team leads and centre manager with the general delivery of the study.
• Liaise with the study sponsor, clinicians and research collaborators.
• Liaise with the Chief Investigator, Site Lead, and Project Manager regarding the
ongoing support and feasibility of the project.
• Maintain and provide up-to-date project and recruitment information for the project, which includes consent of patients, completion of case report forms and routinely collected data.
• Organise groups associated with the research study.
• Organise interviews and other data collection opportunities associated with the research study.
• Enter and check quantitative research data, under supervision.
• Order supplies for research team.
• Ensure that appropriate facilities and resources are available as required per research visit.
• Authorised signatory in relation to petty cash reimbursements to research participants for travel expenses and small payments in relation to the study.
• Undertake advance planning to meet deadlines for formal study monitoring and study milestones (e.g. participant recruitment, data collection and data analysis). Includes managing and prioritising own workload and tasks and working to appropriate deadlines and targets set.
• Contribute to the training and support of other Research Assistants on the project and across the Trust.
• Present at conferences, study days and meetings when required.
• Actively promote the research study and any other research opportunities to staff and services.
• Act as an ambassador for the Research and Innovation Department of Pennine, usually under the identity of the Young People's Mental Health Research Centre.
• Contribute positively to the research culture and activities of the Young People's Mental Health Research Centre.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
* BSc(Hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent e.g. post graduate conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society
* Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
* ECDL or excellent PC literacy including knowledge of all Microsoft Office packages
Desirable criteria
* Have trained or be willing to undertake training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
* Short courses and experience to post graduate diploma level
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of working in a professional capacity with people with mental health issues.
* Experience of working with children, young people, and families
* Experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
* Data analysis, either quantitative or qualitative
* Experience of statistical analysis software
* Experience with documenting and maintaining data
* Good understanding of data confidentiality/GDPR
Desirable criteria
* Demonstrable administration experience
* Training / facilitation experience
* Previous research experience
* Experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties
* Demonstrable experience working in an NHS environment
* Experience of CAMHS as a service user
* Experience of carrying out patient and public involvement (PPI) consultation activities
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Proficient in the use of Office software packages, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access
* Knowledge and appreciation of governance, risk and confidentiality issues
* Knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge of research ethics and obtaining informed consent.
* Knowledge of the principles of GCP
* Knowledge of NHS Research Governance procedures and the Research Governance Framework
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
* Ability to lead on discrete tasks within a research project
* Can demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Research Centre and those of the Trust.
* Participate in and contribute to team discussions Database / Internet skills
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with all levels of staff
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and members of the Multidisciplinary Team
* Ability to educate and support colleagues, patients and carers Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing
* Ability to analyse and interpret written and numerical data
* Ability to collate information and produce written reports
* Able to organise and prioritise own workload, work under pressure and to tight deadlines
* Use of initiative and ability to work under minimal supervision
* Ability to produce accurate, well presented work with a quick turnaround
* Excellent attention to detail
Desirable criteria
* Typing skills specifically experience of transcribing large amount of interview /group audio data.
Work related circumstances
Essential criteria
* To work flexibly when required
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
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 - 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
What happens after your application has been received?
You will be informed about the progress of your application following shortlisting via email. Only applicants who clearly demonstrate the criteria listed in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview. Interview invites will be sent out via email.
What happens if I am offered the position after interview?
The hiring manager will make contact with you to verbally offer you the position. The hiring manager will then inform Recruitment of the decision and provide relevant paperwork. You will be sent a formal conditional offer via email.
What pre-employment checks will I need to complete?
By conducting pre-employment checks, the recruitment team will verify that you meet the pre-conditions of the role you have been offered. Pre-employment checks will be carried out according to. The checks are:
* 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 NHS will be required to provide to cover the most recent three years. This information will used to validate employment history and references as part of pre-employment checks.
If you are offer a position with is and you require sponsorship to support your right to work, we will review your eligibility in line with. If the role you have been offer is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not able to evidence your right to work, your conditional offer could be withdrawn.
What happens when pre-employment checks are complete?
Recruitment will liaise with you and the hiring manager to arrange a start date for your new position. You will then be booked on to a Trust Welcome Session and be sent your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
Other important information
* We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and recognise the importance of ensuring our diverse service user population is reflected within our workforce. Unfortunately, we know that, at present, there is underrepresentation of our communities in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from diverse communities to help us grow, learn, be better and consider brilliant innovation diverse people bring.
* If you would like to be considered under the disability confident scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria on the person specification for the post.
* If you require reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process please phone us on 0161 716 3181 at the earliest opportunity. We will support you to complete your application.
* Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee the transfer of lease cars, or cover the costs of early termination charges.
* We have a strict policy on unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Please do not contact our hiring managers directly.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications have been received. To ensure you application is considered, please submit at the earliest opportunity.