Higher Assistant Psychologist (Research)

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Norwich is looking for a Higher Assistant Psychologist to join their Research & Innovation Team. This full-time role involves aiding two NIHR-funded trials focused on mental health recovery for individuals experiencing psychosis. Candidates should hold an upper second class honours degree in Psychology and possess a minimum of one year’s experience in a related clinical or research setting. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage workloads effectively are essential. Salary ranges from £31,049 to £37,796 annually.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research methodologies.
• At least one year of experience as an assistant psychologist in clinical or research settings.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of NIHR research projects.
• Engage with clinical teams for participant assessment.
• Recruit participants and obtain informed consent.

Skills

Research methodology

Client engagement

Education

Upper 2nd class honours degree in psychology

Postgraduate training in psychology or research

Job description

Higher Assistant Psychologist (Research)

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Assistant Psychologist to join the Research & Innovation Team full time at NSFT as a Higher Assistant Psychologist.

This role will involve supporting two NIHR funded research projects called 'Improving Social Recovery in Psychosis (ISRIP) trial' and the 'Looking Forward Project'. The ISRIP trial is a definitive randomised controlled trial with an embedded process evaluation. The trial aims to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Social Recovery Therapy (SRT), a psychological intervention designed to support people who have experienced psychosis to engage in more structured activities that they find meaningful. The Looking Forward Project is a pragmatic adaptive trial of hope-focused mentoring to improve mental health and social outcomes for young women who are not in education, employment or training in deprived coastal areas.

This post is funded until 1st March 2029.

The successful candidate will be expected to hold an upper second class honours degree, or higher, in Psychology and have at least one year of experience as an Assistant Psychologist in a clinical or research setting. The postholder will also have excellent engagement and interpersonal skills and have a good understanding/knowledge of managing risk.

Main duties of the job

You will be helping to support the delivery of high quality NIHR research projects. On a daily basis you will be responsible for all aspects of the research process including but not limited to: engaging with clinical teams, assessing participant suitability for the studies, screening and recruiting research participants, obtaining informed consent, performing study procedures, working with research teams and managing study data. A crucial aspect of the role is to provide a holistic and person‑centred care approach to participants and their families in a respectful, empowering way.

It is essential that you can independently plan and prioritise your workload to meet performance targets and deadlines. It is important that you have had experience of working in a clinical or research setting similar to the areas you will be working in with these studies. A high level of communication skills, both written and oral is essential as well as the ability to be competent in IT systems (e.g. outlook, word, clinical or other record systems relevant to the role).

About us

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Job responsibilities

• Attend meetings with clinical and research teams to facilitate the set-up of the new studies.
• To assist with the creation and maintenance of study specific site files.
• To arrange appointments to see participant either at home, in clinic or remotely.
• Undertake participant recruitment and informed consent procedures.
• Administer self‑report and clinical interview type measures around symptoms and functioning.
• Identify and report research adverse events.
• To use electronic/participant files, study specific databases and on‑line data entry systems in accordance with study protocols and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
• To attend team meetings and study‑specific meetings to provide updates about study progress and any recruitment challenges.
• Undertake study specific training as required.
• To maintain a working knowledge of relevant mental health practice.
• To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust Policies.

The post will be based at Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich and the expectation is that the postholder will travel independently to participants homes and clinical team bases when required primarily in Norfolk and at times in Suffolk, with potential travel occasionally further afield.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Upper 2nd class honours degree, or higher, in psychology.
• Further post graduate training in relevant areas of psychology, mental health practice and/or research design and analysis.

Experience

• At least one year of experience of working as an assistant psychologist in a clinical/research setting.
• Experience during undergraduate training and/or since in use of a variety of research methods.

Skills

• Demonstrates graduate level knowledge and experience of research and research methodology
• Experience with client group relevant to 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.

£31,049 to £37,796 a yeargross per annum