Clinical Research Officer

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust is seeking a Clinical Research Officer to support research delivery across mental health and related services. You will coordinate study setup, feasibility assessments, and participant recruitment, liaising with clinicians and the Research & Development team.

You will also manage data collection, governance, and occasional site visits across the Trust. The role requires experience in health research, knowledge of NIHR CRN processes, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Experience in health or social care research.
• Experience in setting up research projects and gaining permissions.
• Experience in NHS/university research environments.
• Knowledge of NHS research governance and ethics.

Responsibilities

• Feasibility and study set up with principal investigator oversight.
• Recruitment and screening of potential participants.
• Data collection, storage and reporting of study data.
• Management of the study, governance, and budgeting aspects.
• Travel across Trust sites and coordination with clinical teams.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Customer-focused

Team collaboration

IT skills

Education

First degree (2.1 or above)

Tools

EDGE

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Clinical Research Officer

The closing date is 04 November 2026

As a centre of excellence have an exciting vacancy for adynamic, proactive Clinical Research Officer in our research delivery and supportteam. The successful applicant will need to have a customer-focused approach, ahigh degree of interpersonal skills and excellent attention to detail. We arelooking for a candidate who embodies our Trust's values in all aspects of theirwork ensuring we put the person first and in the centre , we know that familiesand carers matter, we are respectful, honest, open and transparent, we improveand aim to be outstanding, we are relevant today and ready for tomorrow and highstandards through their actions and interactions with colleagues and serviceusers.

The Trust's research team is going through a period ofgrowth which offers exciting opportunities to contribute to its development andhelp maintain, grow and deliver research projects within public and physicalhealth.

Atthe time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements setby UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For thisreason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

Weare happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right towork in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will beconsidered alongside all other applications.

Main duties of the job

As a Clinical Research Officer you will have successfulexperience of research delivery, have a high level of motivation and organisationalskills. You will be responsible for helping with the setup of studies,screening caseloads from our electronic clinical system, contacting patients,families, carers and also liaising with clinical teams. You will be required towork in and around clinical teams andalso present complex study information.

This role requires supervision of Clinical Trials Assistantsand other less experienced members of the research team. On a daily basisyoull use EDGE, Microsoft Word, EXCEL, Outlook and other software packages. Trainingwill be provided for requesting information/data reports and engaging with ourcomms team. Your experience of working with individuals with mental andphysical health challenges is crucial to our service provision. You will berequired to arrange appointments to see service users in their own homes,clinics or other appropriate settings.

There is a requirement to attend and contribute to researchteam meetings, university and other stakeholder meetings.

The role requires you to take bloods. Phlebotomy trainingwill be provided.

Your primary base will be at Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield. However,you will be required to travel Trustwide on a regular basis. Therefore a UKdrivers licence and access to a car for business use is essential.

About us

Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.

Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.

Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The NHS constitution (2009) includes a pledge to the promotion and conduct of research to improve the current and future health and care of the population.

The Research and Development Department has the principle aim of increasing quality research activity which promotes a vibrant research culture within the Trust. This is achieved through delivering and facilitating high quality research, providing support and advice on research methodologies, supporting the generation of research income through external sources and fostering collaboration with other trusts, universities, research bodies and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

The NIHR is funded through the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) is the clinical research delivery arm of the NHS and there are 15 CRNs across England. The CRN: Yorkshire and Humber is hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. The CRN is structured into 6 research divisions covering 30 clinical specialties. The post holder will work predominantly on studies within the mental health and dementia and neurodegenerative disorders (DeNDRoN) specialities.

A temporary Clinical Research Officer (1 WTE) is required to work with clinicians and other specialists to manage and coordinate studies included in the NIHR CRN portfolio, these predominately being observational studies and some clinical trials. Adhering to Trust policies and procedures and the research protocol and ensuring support, care and safety of those involved in the trials.

Their main areas of work will focus on:

1. Assessing feasibility of potential new CRN portfolio studies

3. Ensuring the first participant is recruited into the study within specified timescales

4. Ensuring recruitment targets are achieved within specified timescales for each study

5. Increasing the number of research active staff

For a limited period, pending full implementation of Health Research Authority Approval, the post holder will also be required to coordinate aspects of Research Governance for some studies with support from the Research Administrator and supervised by the Research and Development Manager. This will include processing studies not currently eligible for HRA approval through the existing NHS Permission process, processing study amendments and providing advice on and support for Research Governance to local clinicians and researchers.

Travel across Trust sites and occasional out of hours working will be required.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Each study will be at a different stage of the research process and specific tasks undertaken by the Clinical Research Officer will vary according to the nature of each study and as detailed in 1-5 below:

1. Feasibility and study set up

Link closely with Trust services to identify opportunities for new research

Assess the feasibility of new portfolio studies with the Principle Investigator and under the supervision of the Research & Development Manager, by reviewing the protocol, assessing any resource implications and seeking specialist advice where required.

Working with the Research & Development Manager and Principle Investigator calculate an achievable recruitment target for the study and set up timelines which will ensure the first patient can be recruited by target date.

Assist the Research & Development team in undertaking the costings for commercial research projects.

In collaboration with the Research & Development Manager and Principle Investigator develop an appropriate recruitment plan to address potential recruitment barriers and to ensure patient awareness and any education needs are met, seeking advice from service users and carers in the Research Involvement Group where appropriate.

Liaise with the Research & Development team, the Principle Investigator and the study team in order to assist with the completion of local site specific information forms and the localising of participant documents.

Organise project feasibility and site initiation meetings, staff training and co-ordinate any resource requirements, e.g. room bookings and equipment.

Circulate study information and deliver study presentations to promote the research locally.

2. Recruitment and screening

Meet regularly with the local Principal Investigator and other clinicians to identify eligible participants, increase study awareness, provide study information and updates, identify any areas of low recruitment and increase recruitment.

Screen potential study participants using, for example the study inclusion and exclusion criteria and Trust clinical system RiO.

Prepare invitation letters on behalf of clinicians.

Ensure study specific investigations and screening tools are undertaken as required by the protocol to establish eligibility and safety to enter the study.

Monitor participants condition throughout the study, including monitoring of any adverse events and ensure changes to treatment as required by the protocol.

Report and record (serious) adverse events that occur whilst the participant is in the clinical trial [study] to the trial coordinator/Principle Investigator and relevant local personnel/regulatory authorities within agreed timescales.

Obtain clinical specimens (including bloods) from participants, store and package them according to the research protocol and organise their safe and timely delivery to the appropriate laboratory.

Open and maintain an accurate record of each study within the Local Portfolio Management System (currently EDGE) and maintain an accurate local record of each participant screened and recruited into the study. Ensure the data on the NIHR CRN Open Data Platform (ODP) accurately reflects the local record by maintaining close communication with the study team and report any inconsistencies to the CRN team.

Make home visits or clinic visits in order to take informed consent and complete study specific data collection. Where patients lack capacity to consent, or there is doubt around capacity, ensure appropriate liaison with clinicians and compliance with appropriate legislation and guidance.

Respect participant confidentiality at all times and protect the confidentiality of any personal information.

3. Data collection and storage

• Encourage retention of participants throughout the study by providing ongoing communication and support to participants and clinicians.
• Complete follow up visits either in participant homes or clinics.
• Be responsible, under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, for the collection, anonymisation, storage, organisation and transfer of project data.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of data collected.
• Collect and despatch biological samples e.g. saliva or blood, that may be required for the study, according to protocol (training will be provided where appropriate).
• Undertake study specific and routine assessments e.g. vital signs, ECG, height/weight measurements, as well as safely deliver medication and explain use according to an agreed protocol, take bloods and order investigations in line with research protocol (training will be provided where appropriate and there will be no requirement for the postholder to interpret the findings or make clinical decisions, e.g. ECG results etc).
• Administer payments to participants, keeping accurate logs and receipts to support accurate and timely invoicing.
• Record and report any adverse events in accordance with the study protocol and ICH -Good Clinical Practice and EU Directives. Communicating with appropriate personnel and regulatory authorities within agreed timescales.
• Conduct risk assessments as required by the study protocol/SOPs and in conjunction with Trust reporting requirements. Ensure prompt completion of any follow up actions, seeking guidance when required.

4. Management of the study

• Ensure effective liaison with relevant staff, internal and external to ensure the smooth running of the study in accordance with the latest approved protocol, ICH-Good Clinical Practice and any study specific or R&D Standard Operating Procedures.
• Maintain the study site file in accordance with ICH-Good Clinical Practice.
• Review the impact of any study amendments and liaise with study team to ensure the amendment is implemented effectively.
• Facilitate and prepare for audit/monitoring visits that may be conducted by R&D staff, study sponsor and contract research organisation.
• Adhere to ICH-Good Clinical Practice standards, the Research Governance Framework (DH 2005), national Regulatory requirements (Data Protection Act, Mental Capacity Act, Human Tissue Act, EU Directives) and Trust policy.
• Ensure effective liaison with teams within the Trust, including, Information Governance, Medical Records, Clinical Governance, Practice Effectiveness, Training and Development, Patient Safety and Risk and Mental Health Act Office.
• Maintain accurate study costs and liaise with finance to ensure timely and accurate invoices are raised and full study costs are recovered where appropriate.
• Ensure effective liaison with external research associated organisations including NIHR CRN, Academic Health Science Network, Research Design Service, Clinical Trials Unit, Sponsor, Contract Research Organisation, University partners and Health Research Authority.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

All employees of the Trust arestrongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staffand patients.

Person Specification

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Experience

• Working on health or social care research either as part of own or funded project.
• Experience in setting up research projects including gaining appropriate permissions for research.
• Experience of working in a research environment, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Working in a NHS and/or University research environment.
• Working within a regulatory framework, preferably in a healthcare environment.
• Experience of undertaking research monitoring.

Qualifications

• Relevant first degree level standard of education 2.1 or above or equivalent expertise by experience.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of the mental health and/or physical health field, by training, education or experience.
• Analytical and critical appraisal skills as they relate to research studies.
• IT skills- word processing, spreadsheets, relational databases and internet.
• Negotiation/ persuasion skills, particularly in working with managers and clinicians.
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality in dealing with information.
• Knowledge of research approval process.
• Good Clinical Practice knowledge and relevant research related laws.
• An understanding of research process and methodologies.
• Working knowledge of NHS research governance, policy, legislation and processes involved in gaining approval.
• Knowledge of NHS research ethics and review processes.
• An understanding of the monitoring process for research in the NHS.

Training

• Good Clinical Practice.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Ability to prioritise, organise and plan own workload.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Self motivated with drive and enthusiasm.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Professional attitude.
• Effective networker.
• Willingness to seek help, advice and support as required.
• Flexible.
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.
• Willingness to undergo training as required by the post.

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.

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust