Research Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The involvement of service users and carers in research is highly valued and essential for the success of NHS research and the development of future care. A number of service user and carer groups actively contribute to research in the region, and Research Assistants may be involved with engaging these groups and individuals in portfolio research work. The Research Assistant may also be assigned other duties in connection with research projects identified by the Trial Co-ordinator (TC), Research Programme Manager (RPM), and the Yorkshire & Humber Clinical Research Network

The Research Assistant will be required to verbally communicate pre-prepared research study information to potential participants effectively (service users, carers or staff) in order for them to understand what is involved and provide their consent to participate. The role requires the collection of data from participants, sometimes lengthy (2-3 hours) complex clinical assessments; recording this in the format provided by the study team (paper or electronic). The Research Assistant will be expected to work on a number of different studies at any given time.

If in collaboration, University study teams may deliver study specific training packages therefore the post holder would need to be able to attend these and be willing to attend any other R&D specific training courses as required.

The post holder will be required to work on their own initiative in a range of situations. They will be required to assess factors such as participant eligibility for studies from clinical information. Also required to problem solve within the parameters of the protocol in areas such as low recruitment, dis-engagement, loss of follow up, withdrawal etc.

The research assistant will contribute to working with national study teams to ensure studies are run effectively at local level. This will include ensuring studies run to time and target by identifying, recruiting and supporting participants with support from the TC, ensuring all local data are accurate and up to date and being a main point of contact for national study teams, providing regular updates as required.

The post holder will be required to drive or travel to other Trust sites and participants homes for visits, and to conferences, meetings and training in other parts of Yorkshire and nationally.

A large proportion of time will be spent working at a computer using standard keyboard skills, MS programmes such as Word, Excel, and a number of data entry programmes.

They will be required to keep a complete and accurate record of each participant entering a study and ensure this is correctly mapped within the local and national research databases to the recruiting site.

The post holder will be responsible for the collection and storage of data, data entry to a database, reporting to the study team, completing Clinical Research Forms and answering any data queries. These tasks must be completed in line with Good Clinical Practice, information governance procedures and General Data Protection Regulations.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level, 2.1 or above in health-related discipline (e.g. psychology, nursing, social sciences) or equivalent experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the mental health field, by training, education or experience
• An understanding of research process and methodologies

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with mental health professionals

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 details

Employer name

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

COMIC, IT Centre

York

YO105NP

Employer's website

https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)