Research Associate - Senior Clinical Digital Navigator
The post holder will work within the GM.Digital Research Unit, supporting the implementation and delivery of innovative digital mental health technologies across services. This includes the rollout of Careloop, a remote monitoring and relapse prevention platform designed to support people living with severe mental illness, particularly psychosis.
The GM.Digital Research Unit is a collaboration between Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester, working as part of a nationally significant programme to accelerate innovation in mental health care. The unit brings together clinicians, researchers, industry partners and people with lived experience to develop, implement and evaluate digital tools that improve outcomes, increase accessibility, and support preventative models of care.
The Digital Navigator service is a core component of this work, acting as a bridge between technology and clinical care. The service supports service users to engage with digital tools, while ensuring early identification of deterioration and safe escalation into clinical pathways.
Main duties of the job
This is a great opportunity for a qualified mental health clinician who is looking to develop their skills in digital health innovation and/or leadership.
The post holder will provide clinically informed oversight, triage and supervision within the Digital Navigator service, supporting the safe implementation of Careloop. They will act as the primary escalation point for Band 5 Digital Navigators, ensuring the safe identification, interpretation and escalation of early warning signs in service users with severe mental illness.
Working within defined protocols and under the supervision of the Band 7 Team Lead, the post holder will use clinical judgement to assess the severity and urgency of alerts, determine appropriate escalation pathways, and support decision-making where there is uncertainty.
Benefits
* 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 after 10 years.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Salary sacrifice car scheme.
* Blue Light Card Discounts.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
* Professional healthcare registration (e.g. NMC, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, Social Worker or equivalent).
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
Experience
* Clinical experience at Band 5 or Band 6 level working with people with severe mental illness.
* Experience working with psychosis or complex mental health needs.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of risk identification, escalation and safeguarding processes.
Skills and Abilities
* Maintain strong communication skills, including ability to engage with service users sensitively.
* Prioritise workload and respond to changing demands.
* Work independently with regular supervision, using initiative.
* Have confidence in working across digital systems and platforms.
Other Requirements
* Proven track record of high quality publications in peer review journals.
* Reliable method for traveling independently across the wide footprint of the Trust and occasionally the North West region to attend meetings and events relevant to the role.
* Evidence of national and international research collaborations.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Address
Central Park
Building B Central Park Northampton Road
£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
437-7979561
Job locations
Central Park
Building B Central Park Northampton Road
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