Clinical Research Assistant / Clinical Research Practitioner

North Thames Genomics Laboratory Hub; Banbury; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Clinical Research Assistant to join their Mental Health Research Delivery Team. This full-time role is focused on enhancing mental health treatments through research, supporting patient recruitment, and collaborating with clinical teams. Ideal candidates should possess a degree in life sciences and have a passion for mental health. With a supportive environment, this position offers numerous benefits including career progression and generous leave. Join a dedicated team committed to delivering outstanding care and making a real difference in the community.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

NHS discounts

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Support groups

Qualifications

• Degree in life sciences required, with clinical research training preferred.
• Knowledge of UK research regulations and mental health is essential.

Responsibilities

• Recruit patients and staff for mental health research studies.
• Support research activities like informed consent and cognitive assessments.

Skills

Knowledge of mental health

Good time management

Attention to detail

Excellent communication skills

Education

Degree in life sciences

Postgraduate training evidence

Care Certificate

Clinical Research Practitioner Registration

Job description

Clinical Research Assistant / Clinical Research Practitioner

The Mental Health Research Delivery Team is pleased to offer an exciting position of Clinical Research Assistant (CRA) in the North and West Oxon Adult Mental Health Team (AMHT), based at the Elms Centre, Banbury.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), fixed-term role until 31st March 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to funding.

The role focuses on supporting the recruitment and delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolio studies for patients and staff within the North and West Oxon AMHT and across Oxford Health's mental health services.

You will join a team of CRAs embedded within Mental Health clinical teams across Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

If you have a background in clinical research and a passion for improving mental health treatments, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

• Recruit patients and staff into a broad portfolio of mental health research studies, supporting recruitment, study delivery, and setup.
• Support research activities such as informed consent, randomisation, treatment allocation, cognitive assessments, and venepuncture as per trial protocols.
• Develop collaborative relationships with consultants and care coordinators to identify eligible service users and staff.

Please refer to the attached job description for a comprehensive list of duties.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work. To strengthen your application, please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role and addresses the essential criteria.

We provide physical, mental health, and social care across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath, and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics, and homes, aiming to provide care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that everyone receives: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team".

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent".

We offer benefits including career progression opportunities, tailored learning and development, 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 33 days), NHS discounts, pension scheme, lease car, cycle to work, Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply), and support groups.

Job responsibilities

Use your supporting statement to demonstrate your suitability for the role, referring to the job description, person specification, and guidance notes. Ensure you address the essential and desirable criteria to increase your chances of interview.

Person Specification

Knowledge Requirements

• Knowledge of mental health
• Understanding of the research lifecycle
• Knowledge of UK research regulations
• Awareness of legal requirements like Mental Capacity and Data Protection Acts

Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional

• Degree in life sciences
• Postgraduate training evidence
• Care Certificate
• Clinical Research Practitioner Registration

Additional Skills

• Good time management and organisation
• Attention to detail and data accuracy
• Willingness to undertake clinical training, e.g., venepuncture

Experience

• Experience working with individuals with mental health difficulties within the NHS
• Experience in multidisciplinary environments
• Previous clinical research experience

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication skills
• Flexibility
• Ability to work confidently with limited supervision
• Self-motivated and eager to learn and develop
• Interest in mental health research development

Contractual and other requirements

• Ability to travel across Oxford Health Foundation Trust
• Access to a car or alternative transport
• Commitment to safeguarding vulnerable groups

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check due to safeguarding responsibilities.

The position offers a salary range of £29,970 to £36,483 per annum, pro-rata.