Research Assistant

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a motivated researcher to join the R&D DIAMONDS study team. The role involves engaging with participants, facilitating informed consent, and coordinating data collection across multidisciplinary teams.

You will contribute to screening, recruitment, and public engagement activities, ensuring high data quality and adherence to GCP guidelines while supporting the trial delivery and research governance.

Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with mental health difficulties in a clinical or research setting.
• Experience of data management in secure clinical or research databases, ensuring high data quality and correct documentation and adherence to study protocols, including lone working
• Experience of conducting PPI and public engagement activities
• Degree qualification in relevant health sciences (e.g. nursing, psychology or sociology)
• Completion of Good Clinical Practice training in the last 2 years or willingness to complete prior to commencing role

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned care required by the clinical trials protocol for patients and volunteers without direct supervision.
• Delivering on a RCT as a DIAMOND coach.
• Responsible for screening and recruiting to clinical studies.
• The role will involve working closely with multidisciplinary clinical teams.
• Support patients to make informed choices concerning their involvement in research.
• Ensure written informed consent is obtained before any research.
• Maintain data and case report forms in accordance with NHS governance and GCP.

Skills

Mental health research

Data handling

Public engagement

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Degree in health sciences

GCP training

Tools

Excel

SPSS

NVivo

Job description

Imagine if the work you did today could impact on how mental health care is delivered tomorrow. An exciting opportunity has arisen join the Research and Development (R&D) Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. A key aspect of this role is working on the delivery on a new randomised controlled trial., To work as part of the research growth and delivery team as a member of the DIAMONDS study, which is a randomised controlled trial. To interact appropriately with research participants, service users, their carers and relatives, with the ability to convey the goals of the research in a friendly manner. Participate in and contribute towards multi-disciplinary meetings within the unit, as well as liaising with health professionals outside of the research team as required. To support the recruitment of participants to research studies in mental health through liaison with local research networks and clinical teams To assist in obtaining valid informed consent to take part in research studies, providing complex verbal and written information in the process of explaining study involvement. To collect research data through standardised assessment measures completed with participants. To maintain Trust records and any trial databases and, ensuring entries are complete, accurate and up-to-date in accordance with the Trust policies, the protocol and Good Clinical Practice guidelines Any other duties appropriate to the grade., Communications and Working Relationships R&D departments, SLaM , SLP and KHP Matrons, Service General Managers, Service Delivery Managers Consultants and Junior Medical Staff Nursing Staff, Clinical Nurse Specialists Allied Health Professionals Administrative and Clerical Support Staff Lead Nurses/Co-ordinators, Research Delivery Managers and other research delivery staff South London CRN clinical divisions Professional and Technical staff Staff within non-commercial bodies and pharmaceutical companies and/or sponsors Duties and Responsibilities Clinical: Carry out planned care required by the clinical trials protocol for patients and volunteers without direct supervision Delivering on a RCT as a DIAMOND coach Responsible for screening and recruiting to clinical studies. This includes both randomised clinical trials and other high-quality clinical studies. The role will involve working closely with multidisciplinary clinical teams To support patients to make informed choices concerning their involvement in research. Ensure that written informed consent from a participant has always been obtained for any research taking place within the Trust. Maintain all data and case report forms relating to clinical trials in accordance with the regulatory and governance environment for NHS research. Report any deviation on research protocols to senior staff and implement agreed changes in care programme. Management: Required to use own initiative, take responsibility for decision-making and prioritise own workload within a team and individual context. Work autonomously within the boundaries of own competencies and capabilities, seeking advice from Principal Investigator/ study team/R&D team as necessary. Support the coordination and organisation of study processes, including scheduling meetings, preparing documentation, and maintaining accurate records to ensure smooth delivery of the project. Support engagement of lived experience advisors across the project including research co-design workshops. Administration: Maintain a safe environment in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act. Maintain accurate documentation in research documents and patient notes and comply with Trust and research governance policies and procedures. Communicate effectively at all times and maintain a harmonious working environment. Ensure the economical use of resources. Enter data accurately and promptly into service and study databases, ensuring these are auditable and complete. Good command of software packages such as Excel, word, MS Forms, SPSS, NVivo, Assist in the education and support of health care professionals to enable them to care for clinical trial patients and recruit to clinical trials where appropriate. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of research related topics particularly related to clinical trials. Assess the needs of participants, relatives and carers and provide them with information as requested. Educate participants, family and those who volunteer for clinical trials before, during and after clinical studies and investigations. Assist the R&D Nurse Manager in orientating all new staff to the department. Other: Understand and adhere to Trust policies and procedures. Maintain patient confidentiality and standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) at all times.,

• oExperience working with individuals with mental health difficulties in a clinical or research setting (A/I)
• oExperience of data management in secure clinical or research databases, ensuring high data quality and correct documentation and adherence to study protocols, including lone working (A/I)
• oExperience of conducting PPI and public engagement activities (A/I) This is an excellent development opportunity for a motivated and hardworking individual to gain experience in being part of a research team, expand their own knowledge of practice through supporting the delivery of research studies taking place within the trust. The portfolio of studies and locations offers the chance for this role to be both challenging and rewarding for the right candidate.
• oDegree qualification in relevant health sciences (e.g. nursing, psychology or sociology) (A)
• oCompletion of Good Clinical Practice training in the last 2 years or willingness to complete prior to commencing role (A), oA degree or diploma with a substantial research component (A)
• oHigher degree/formal study of research design and methods in clinical or social settings (A), oCurrent or recent experience of working with people who have experienced trauma (A)
• oExperience of conducting qualitative interviews (A)
• oExperience in administering psychometric scales or willingness to train (A)
• oExperience of recruiting participants to research studies including informed consent (A/I)
• oExperience conducting research at a clinical interface or within a randomised controlled trial (A/I), oExcellent communication and interpersonal skills. (A/I)
• oHighly motivated with the ability to work as part of a team and on an individual basis. (A/I)
• oKnowledge of research methods and statistical procedures (A/I)
• oUnderstands the research process and the application of research in improving healthcare. (A/I)
• oCompetence in standard PC packages (Word, Excel) (A/I)
• oDemonstrates clear attention to detail and an organised approach to co-ordinating study activities and managing data (A/I), oCommitment to obtain underpinning knowledge through work-based learning (A/I)
• oCompleting and scoring of research rating scales (A/I)
• oData management and analysis skills using software such as SPSS, NVivo (A/I)
• oAs a member of staff from within the Trust, you will understand the clinical priorities and structures of teams and to use this knowledge and skills to reach out to service users to discuss involvement in study participation. In addition, you will have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge about research through supporting our strategic ambitions to build research capacity in our workforce.