Job summary
The Research Practitioner will support the evaluation of the Ascend service, a multi-agency pilot supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges related to sexual assault and abuse in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The role will involve collaborating with NHS, voluntary sector partners and stakeholders to assess how effectively the service meets its aims, including improving access to trauma-informed care, addressing health inequalities, enhancing service user outcomes, supporting staff well-being, and strengthening trauma-informed practice across partner organizations. The postholder will contribute to the design and delivery of a robust evaluation framework to assess service impact, support evidence-based practice, and inform ongoing service development.
Main duties of the job
Support the Evaluation of the Ascend Service:Assist in delivering a structured evaluation of the Ascend service, ensuring all research activities align with the service's aims and contribute to continuous improvement for individuals affected by sexual assault and abuse.
Collaborative Working Across Partner Agencies:Build and maintain effective working relationships with partner organizations, including NHS services and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector partners, to support integrated approaches to trauma-informed care and joint service evaluation.
Data Collection and Analysis:Undertake qualitative and quantitative data collection, entry, management, and analysis in line with research governance and ethical standards. Methods may include interviews, surveys, focus groups, and routine service data.
Service Pathway Evaluation:
Health Inequality Monitoring:
Evaluation of Psychological Interventions:Assist in assessing the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of evidence-based, trauma-informed psychological interventions delivered by the service.
Outcome Measurement and Reporting:Support the evaluation of service user outcomes, including reductions in trauma-related distress, improvements in quality of life, and satisfaction with care. Assist in the development of clear, accessible reports and summaries of findings for internal and external stakeholders.
About us
As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care.
We pride ourselves onensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working.
We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world's first 'carbon net zero' national health system by 2045 (Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk). As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers. In order to deliver on this commitment, we recognise that we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of our service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike. For 2024/2025, we have launched our "Proud to be Green" engagement campaign which is aligned to the targets set out in our Green Plan. As a Trust, you can be assured that we will commit to supporting you in working towards our net zero ambitions, set out in our Green Plan, through our sustainability programme".
The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Trust guidelines, research governance and Research Ethics Committee guidelines, for all research studies/clinical trials
To assist clinical and non-clinical staff in completing GCP training and other research related training
Demonstrate knowledge of trial protocols and their application in practice, alongside working knowledge of how to comply with local, national, and international
To towards working autonomously in all areas of practice relating to clinical research, developing the ability to assist in the planning, delivery, and management of the portfolio of clinical research related to the project and Ascend service, with the support of theClinical Lead.
To read and process research protocols, patient information, and ensure that information about clinical trials is clearly and appropriately communicated to research participants.
To help plan, arrange, and facilitate research related meetings, liaising with internal and external staff.
Contribute to the development of collaborations with outside agencies e.g., Local Authority, local Universities, R&I networks, and other NHS organisations.
To undertake screening, registration, and randomisation activity of participants
As part of the research team, contribute to the development of appropriate systems, procedures and training across the Trust to support the practical success of research studies, for example, the processes of patient referrals, patient informed consent, baseline and follow-up assessments and interventions.
Depending on the individual skills and plans, the post may provide formal research training opportunities and experience in research dissemination.
Help ensure smooth running and adequate cover for the full range of research studies requiring clinical support in the Trust. This could include completing paperwork and undertaking assessments/questionnaires for studies that require it.
Be aware of the level of evidence base pertaining to practice, keep up to date with research audit and understanding of Best Practice, and develop local dissemination systems, to maintain and develop practice within the services in line with proven methods of care.
To demonstrate an ability to use verbal and non-verbal communication tools when communicating with patients/carers to maximise the participants understanding of research activities.
To work towards becoming an autonomous practitioner, to be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own clinical and non-clinical activity.
To comply with the Codes of Professional Conduct, at all times.
To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment in line with department standards and ensure that all staff in the research team do likewise.
To liaise with the research teams and other research networks to ensure service's participation in research is documented and appropriately budgeted for.
To maintain and develop clinical skills necessary to facilitate research as determined by the research protocol
To facilitate the recording of service user recruitment and research activity, for examples questionnaire and assessments on research systems such as EDGE and Trust systems such as Lorenzo
To provide information and reports on recruitment when requested.
The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Trust and Department. The post holder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible; undertaking any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality service
The postholder is required to sit/stand in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working time
There is a frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable, for example undertaking research consent/assessments - could be up to one or two hours per assessment
There is a frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Trust guidelines, research governance and Research Ethics Committee guidelines, for all research studies/clinical trials
To assist clinical and non-clinical staff in completing GCP training and other research related training
Demonstrate knowledge of trial protocols and their application in practice, alongside working knowledge of how to comply with local, national, and international
To towards working autonomously in all areas of practice relating to clinical research, developing the ability to assist in the planning, delivery, and management of the portfolio of clinical research related to the project and Ascend service, with the support of theClinical Lead.
To read and process research protocols, patient information, and ensure that information about clinical trials is clearly and appropriately communicated to research participants.
To help plan, arrange, and facilitate research related meetings, liaising with internal and external staff.
Contribute to the development of collaborations with outside agencies e.g., Local Authority, local Universities, R&I networks, and other NHS organisations.
To undertake screening, registration, and randomisation activity of participants
As part of the research team, contribute to the development of appropriate systems, procedures and training across the Trust to support the practical success of research studies, for example, the processes of patient referrals, patient informed consent, baseline and follow-up assessments and interventions.
Depending on the individual skills and plans, the post may provide formal research training opportunities and experience in research dissemination.
Help ensure smooth running and adequate cover for the full range of research studies requiring clinical support in the Trust. This could include completing paperwork and undertaking assessments/questionnaires for studies that require it.
Be aware of the level of evidence base pertaining to practice, keep up to date with research audit and understanding of Best Practice, and develop local dissemination systems, to maintain and develop practice within the services in line with proven methods of care.
To demonstrate an ability to use verbal and non-verbal communication tools when communicating with patients/carers to maximise the participants understanding of research activities.
To work towards becoming an autonomous practitioner, to be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own clinical and non-clinical activity.
To comply with the Codes of Professional Conduct, at all times.
To be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment in line with department standards and ensure that all staff in the research team do likewise.
To liaise with the research teams and other research networks to ensure service's participation in research is documented and appropriately budgeted for.
To maintain and develop clinical skills necessary to facilitate research as determined by the research protocol
To facilitate the recording of service user recruitment and research activity, for examples questionnaire and assessments on research systems such as EDGE and Trust systems such as Lorenzo
To provide information and reports on recruitment when requested.
The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of the Trust and Department. The post holder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible; undertaking any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality service
The postholder is required to sit/stand in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working time
There is a frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable, for example undertaking research consent/assessments - could be up to one or two hours per assessment
There is a frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oRegistered nurse/midwife with current NMC registration/ Allied Health Professional with current registration / Clinical Scientist with current registration
- oOR Registered CRP (Academy for Healthcare Sciences) or MUST complete competencies to obtain registration within one year of appointment
Experience
Essential
- oRecent experience of working as a first level registered nurse, (all branches), midwife, RSCN/ allied health professional or clinical research practitioner within an NHS or care setting
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oRegistered nurse/midwife with current NMC registration/ Allied Health Professional with current registration / Clinical Scientist with current registration
- oOR Registered CRP (Academy for Healthcare Sciences) or MUST complete competencies to obtain registration within one year of appointment
Experience
Essential
- oRecent experience of working as a first level registered nurse, (all branches), midwife, RSCN/ allied health professional or clinical research practitioner within an NHS or care setting
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
