About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Research Assistant to join the Research and Development Department.
This is a fixed-term opportunity for a nurse, other healthcare worker, or a health/social care/psychology graduate with experience in clinical research to join our established team and work on a diverse portfolio of research studies.
This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your clinical research skills and expertise. You will be supported with personal and professional development.
You will work on a range of projects including recruiting participants, help to support and engage them in research, oversee local study set-up, collect data, carry out clinical assessments and ensure research follows good clinical practice.
You will engage in outreach and engagement with diverse communities to promote and facilitate inclusivity and diverse recruitment.
We are seeking a motivated, organised individual who works well with competing deadlines and has strong interpersonal and communication skills, sensitivity and empathy. Previous clinical experience in NHS dementia services is an advantage, as is previous clinical research study experience.
This post involves substantial travel across Sussex and you will be assigned to projects in any of the Trust locations. There may also be travel within or outside the UK for study meetings, conferences and events.
Main duties of the job
Clinical Research:
To ensure the wellbeing of trial participants as the primary concern of research practice. To identify potential participants for research studies according to specific protocols and guidelines, and to assist staff in providing information so that service users may make informed decisions about their participation. To screen for participant eligibility to enter research studies. To obtain valid informed consent from prospective research participants and assess mental capacity. To carry out assessment of the needs of participants/relatives To conduct trial related activities, including dissemination of findings and archiving To liaise with senior clinical and management staff to encourage and support their active involvement in research. To attend multidisciplinary team meetings regularly to identify appropriate participants. To manage emotional distress and behaviours that challenge when working with people living with dementia and mental health issues.
Training & Development:
To attend study specific training as appropriate to role and attend all mandatory training for Trust / role. To support junior clinical research staff and students on placements.
Administration:
To cover duties of other Clinical Research Practitioners when required. To undertake any other duties, which may be required from time to time, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and needs of the service.
About us
Sussex Partnership is one of the most research active Mental Health Trusts in England. The successful applicant will be supported by a large and expanding Research & Development Department that is committed to the design, delivery and translation of high-quality research.
Our team of clinical researchers manage the delivery of high-quality clinical research, funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). We work closely with our research partners like the University of Sussex, Brighton & Sussex medical School, other universities and NHS Trusts across the country. Our work mainly involves recruitment of participants, data collection, clinical & psychological assessments and dissemination of findings.
There will be opportunities to meet staff on other projects and from different disciplines, and to take up CPD opportunities to strengthen your clinical and research work experience. You will receive regular clinical and management supervision and work closely with other health professionals and clinical academics. We welcome flexible and agile working to ensure our team members' wellbeing.
Job description Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities are listed in the section on 'Main Duties of the Job'.
Key Relationships: The role will involve close liaison with mental health, social care and primary care services including both inpatient units and community settings, as well as with appropriate Research & Development Departments and Clinical Nurse Specialists. The post holder will be the link between the research team and SPFT clinical teams and colleagues at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Furthermore, the post-holder will actively promote research amongst clinicians, service users, the wider NHS and communities in Sussex.
IMPORTANT:
This position does not meet the threshold for skilled worker sponsorship for a health and care worker visa. We can only accept applications for candidates who do not require sponsorship and have an unrestricted right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract, or who meet the skilled worker threshold for sponsorship and can evidence a minimum of 4 years of experience in an NHS equivalent role at the same professional level
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree in Psychology, Health Services Research, Nursing or a health or social science discipline
Desirable
Further post graduate training/experience in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care practice, and / or research design and analysis
Knowledge / Experience Essential
Experience of working with people with complex needs Experience of working with people with disabilities, in a health or Mental Health setting and or work with people with complex needs Relevant clinical and research skills Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team Basic knowledge of databases, research skills and methodology Experience of working with mental health service users in a research capacity Ability to apply existing psychological knowledge to a health context An understanding of psychology applied to health care
Desirable
Experience of the use of psychometric tests Experience of in-patient settings Experience of teaching other health professionals Lived experience of mental health issues
Skills Essential
To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere. To be able to work with resistance to ideas. High standard of report writing To assimilate complex information and use reflective/analytic thinking, to apply psychological perspectives in work with clients Ability to be flexible and cope with multiple demands. Capable of using initiative and organise work to agreed goals. Ability to work independently and know when to ask for and use supervision, identifying when there is need for advice and using supervision at agreed intervals Requires manual dexterity and good eye-hand coordination to administer tests and assessments and use computer key boards. Able to carry out PMVA interventions
Approach / Values Essential
Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust
Desirable
Ability to travel across sites
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address Dementia Research Unit
Grove House
Crowborough
TN6 1NY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)