Assistant Psychologist

CNTW NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

CNTW NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Research Assistant to support two trials in the Hub for Advancing Research in Psychosis. The post is full time for 20 months on a fixed term basis, split 50/50 between the EASE Trial and the Mouth Matters study.

You will recruit eligible participants, perform assessments, obtain consent, and conduct baseline and follow-up visits. Administrative duties include accurate documentation, updating clinical records and databases.

Qualifications

• Good first degree in Psychology (2:1) required.
• Experience as Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant is desirable.
• Interest in psychosis, trauma or other serious mental health issues.
• Knowledge of audit, research design and data management essential.
• Experience with structured psychiatric interviews advantageous.
• Experience recruiting participants from diverse communities beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Recruit eligible participants for the trials and conduct assessments to confirm eligibility.
• Perform baseline and follow-up assessments using validated measures.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation, update clinical records and databases.
• Travel to NHS settings and participants' homes; lone working within risk protocol.
• Promote the study, take informed consent, and follow the protocol to avoid unblinding.
• Input data and manage diary/workload, with supervision and support for wellbeing.

Skills

Psychology degree

Research Assistant experience

Trauma/psychosis interest

Audit knowledge

Research design

Data management

Structured psychiatric interview

Diverse recruitment experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology

Job description

The post is to work as a Research Assistant on two trials being run in the Hub for Advancing Research in Psychosis. You will work half time on the EASE Trial, an NIHR funded randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aims to examine the value of EMDR for people with early psychosis, and a history of distressing life experiences. You will also work half time on the Mouth Matters study which is a research trial examining the impact of a link worker in helping people with psychosis to access dental care.

The post is full time for 20 months on a fixed term basis.

The post holder will be responsible for recruiting eligible participants to the trials, conducting assessments using validated clinical measures to confirm the eligibility of participants, and to conduct baseline and follow up assessments. Administrative requirements will include timely and accurate documentation, updating clinical records, and managing record-keeping databases. This post will involve travelling to, and working across, multiple locations including NHS settings and participants' homes. Hence, the post holder must be comfortable lone working, within a supported and structured risk management protocol. Applicants should be able to work warmly and sensitively with people experiencing distress, and be able to manage their own wellbeing using available supervision and support structures., Your job purpose will be to promote the study and work with the psychosis service to identify potential participants. You will take informed consent from participants and conduct the trials assessments at the appropriate time points. You will carefully follow the research protocol and avoid being unblinded to which condition participants have been randomised too. You will input data and manage your own diary and workload.

You will have a good first degree in Psychology (at least a 2:1). You will have some experienceofworking in a mental health setting as an Assistant Psychologist or Research Assistant (or equivalent experience), and aninterestin psychosis, trauma, and/or other serious mental health difficulties. Knowledgeofaudit, research design and data management is essential. Experienceofusing a structured psychiatric interview would be advantageous. Experience of recruiting research participants from diverse communities that are often under-represented in research would also be beneficial for the role. We particularly encourage applicants interested in developing their own skills and knowledge, and contributing to the wider research team.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.