Clinical Research Practitioner in Mood Disorders

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust; Hartford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Clinical Research Practitioner in Mood Disorders to support the establishment of a new research clinic. The role involves conducting assessments, recruiting participants for studies, and ensuring adherence to protocols. Ideal candidates should have a relevant nursing or psychology degree, experience in clinical research, and strong assessment skills. This full-time position offers an opportunity to advance research in mental health care.

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Nurse or hold a degree in psychology.
• Postgraduate training and experience to Master's level are essential.
• Prior clinical research experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Identify potential participants for the Mood Disorder clinic.
• Screen participants through phone/video consultations.
• Undertake psychiatric risk assessments and report findings.
• Run patient and public involvement and engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate patient records.

Skills

Clinical assessments

Informed consent procedures

Phlebotomy

Psychiatric risk assessments

Supervision of junior staff

Education

Registered Nurse or degree in psychology

Postgraduate training to Master's level

Job description

Overview

The Clinical Research Practitioner in Mood Disorders will be a key member of the new CPFT Mood Disorders Research Clinic, led by Dr Hatfield and Dr Osimo. This is a full-time, fixed-term Band 7 role that supports the clinic's establishment and daily operations across Cambridge and Peterborough. The Clinical Research Practitioner will undertake diverse clinical and research responsibilities within the Mood Disorders Research Clinic, and will help shape clinic policies and procedures while ensuring adherence to study protocols and ethical standards.

Responsibilities

1. Identify potential participants from primary care, self-referrals, CPFT and wider NHS clinical services, community services, university and NHS databases, specialist clinics, third sector organisations, schools and other access routes, for suitability for the Mood Disorder clinic.
2. Independently screen participants through notes/questionnaire reviews, and through phone/video consultations.
3. Independently undertake all aspects of the clinical research pathway, including greeting participants, obtaining informed consent, performing assessments and testing and aspects of physical examination, phlebotomy, and arranging and undertaking follow-ups if needed.
4. Undertake psychiatric risk assessments and discuss with/report to the supervising Consultants.
5. Lead in setting up and running patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities — including setting up meetings, contracting and recruiting participants, running sessions, summarising results — with support from the Leads.
6. Help supervise and coordinate activities by Resident Doctors and Research/Healthcare Assistant(s).
7. Work with the clinical teams to map the patient pathway for specific trials, performing assessments, including psychological assessments, ECGs, physical examination and phlebotomy and associated processing.
8. Take and process blood samples required and ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens.
9. Maintain accurate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented within the patients' medical notes and study source documentation.
10. Support carers through the study process, ensuring those involved are well informed.

Qualifications

Applicants must be a Registered Nurse or hold a degree in psychology or a related health and social care field, with registration from NMC, AHCS, HCPC, or an equivalent body. Postgraduate training and experience to Master's level are essential, while prior clinical research experience is desirable. The role involves coordinating and delivering research with adult patients, and occasionally older adults and adolescents. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, physical examinations, and phlebotomy, as well as supervising junior staff and resident doctors.

About the role and expectations

The post holder will contribute to the clinic's academic and scientific output, supporting the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) Mission. Upholding the Trust's values—professionalism, respect, innovation, dignity, and empowerment—is essential, alongside maintaining high standards of clinical governance, patient safety, and research integrity. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to advance research in mood disorders and influence the future of mental health care.

About CPFT

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion. We deliver many NHS services outside of hospital and in the community, including physical and mental health services, and research and development. Our services include:

• Integrated physical and mental health services for adults and older people;
• Specialist mental health and learning disability services;
• Children and young people’s mental health services;
• Children's community services in Peterborough;
• Social care;
• Ground-breaking research.

We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people and members of ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities. For further information about our equality, diversity and inclusion work, please visit https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/equalityanddiversity.

CPFT is looking to build upon its pool of temporary workers with Temporary Staffing Services (TSS). You may be asked at interview if you would be willing to register with TSS. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to take on additional hours that are flexible around personal circumstances.

Please note, in line with the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, 2020 CPFT currently cannot accept applications from overseas candidates whose country of residence is classed as a Red List country. Applicants who require entry into the UK will be required to provide a valid police certificate from the relevant authority from each country (except the UK) where the applicant has been present for 12 months or more, 10 years before the date of visa application, while aged 18 or over. If successful at interview you will be subject to pre-employment checks, including a DBS (if appropriate), references and Occupational Health. To ensure a smooth process please bring identity documents to your interview. A list of required identity documents will be attached to your interview invitation. All communications will be sent via TRAC Systems. By applying for this post you are agreeing to CPFT transferring the information contained in this application to TRAC. If you are made an offer, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.