Clinical Research Assistant

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

The main duties of the post-holder will be those concerned with identifying, recruiting and supporting patients through the research process as well as providing support as necessary to study teams and clinicians. Additionally, the post-holder will actively promote research and the work of the NIHRamongst clinicians, service users and the wider NHS.

This post is hosted by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and supported by the North West London Clinical Research Network (CRN) which forms part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) which was established by the Department of Health and aims to improve the speed, quality, and integration of research, ultimately resulting in improved patient care. The role is based within Noclor Joint Research Office and will be working across multiple organisations in North West London to ensure people with mental health, dementia, learning disabilities, neurodegenerative and neurology problems have access to research opportunities.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Main duties of the job

The role will be based in the Research Delivery Service at Noclor Joint Research Office, hosted by Central and North West London NHS Trust. This role also involves working across multiple organisations within North West London to ensure people with mental health, dementia, learning disabilities, neurodegenerative and neurology problems have access to research opportunities.

Supported by the North West London Clinical Research Network (CRN): this is a chance to gain experience and knowledge of clinical research in the area of mental health.

You will work with research teams to recruit patients to a range of National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) portfolio studies. You will also promote research engagement actively assisting research teams with patient recruitment and data collection.

You should be able to demonstrate effective communication skills, good organisational skills, flexibility, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work autonomously. A willingness to travel to sites across London is essential as the roles are based within services, as well as an ability or willingness to learn phlebotomy is essential.

About us

The Research Delivery Service is a diverse, social and outgoing team. As part of your role, you'll have the opportunity to try out new ideas in response to challenges that arise, with the support of your manager and wider team. We believe in succeeding together, not in spite of one another.

The role will also bring opportunities to develop your clinical and leadership skills. For example, previous research assistants have now gone onto senior roles within the NHS, completing PhDs and DClinPsy training. We also work with other Research Delivery Services in London under Noclor which provides opportunities for shared learning and creative thinking. In addition, we are an outgoing and social team who encourage, motivate and support one another.

The Research Delivery Service works with a diverse population in North West London and is important to us that we reflect this. Our diverse team and leadership team are examples of how we embrace, celebrate and learn from each other's cultures which helps to shape our clinical practices when interacting with our clients. Furthermore, it is key that team members uphold our values and work together for our clients with respect, dignity and compassion.

Our staff care for people in hospital and in the community, helping them to recover and go on to lead full and productive lives. We aim to be the best organisation of our kind in the country.

We'rerated good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Date posted

10 August 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£34,089 to £41,498 a year per annum inc. Inner HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-C-HQ-0562

Job locations

Noclor, JML House,

8 Regis Road,

London

NW5 3EW

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties will be allocated to the post-holder according to qualifications and experience. They are likely to involve some or all of the following:

Patient recruitment and retention in studies
To attend multidisciplinary team meetings regularly to aid identification of appropriate Trusts/wards etc within the CRN for recruitment of participants to CRN North West London Division 4 studies
To identify participants to NIHR adopted studies according to specific protocols and guidelines, and assist clinicians to obtain informed consent from those participants
To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants and their carers for the duration of their involvement in the research project and to assist participants with the completion of questionnaires as necessary
To co-ordinate treatment, assessment and follow-up as necessary in accordance with research protocol
To assist the Senior Research Nurse/Division Manager to monitor patient recruitment
To identify areas of low patient recruitment and liaise with the Senior Research Nurse/ Division Manager and to identify mechanism for improving
To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines
To provide support to research teams to obtain approvals from Trust Research Governance and Local Ethics Committees
To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to specific research protocols and adheres to the Data Protection Act 1998 and according to ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines
To facilitate the recording of patient recruitment on CRN Data Entry System
To provide information / reports on recruitment when requested by the Division Manager to provide support to research teams for assessments and follow-up of study participants.
To provide support to research teams for assessments and follow-up of study participants.With appropriate training, take clinical samples for studies; coordinate tissue sample collectionand dispatch to relevant departments or research centres

Service mapping

To work with R&D staff, Trust and university employees to co-ordinate existing information into a comprehensive overview of services and service user support services across the North West London region
To develop, catalogue and maintain appropriate filing systems and other office management systems to record that information

Communication:

To attend and contribute to Division Management Group meeting
To attend and contribute to project management group meetings for specific research project
To liaise with other Clinical Research Assistant within the CRN to ensure the needs of the Network are me
To provide information and education on research projects adopted by the CRN to interested partie
To disseminate information on the CRN to a range of audiences in a variety of format
To maintain a working knowledge of relevant practice and to disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc. to personnel working on research project
To liaise with CRN and academic staff, the wider Trust personnel, and external contact
To maintain position of integrity, appreciating the need for confidentiality when dealing with staff and issues appertaining to this pos
To liaise with a wide range of internal and external organisations and teams in support of the CRN Hu
To form and maintain close working relationships with the Divisional Manager, Specialty Lead, Divisional Lead and others as appropriat
To offer advice and support to research active staff, patients and carers, as appropriate

Training:

To keep up to date with relevant training and develop skills and knowledge by maintaining a programme o
To participate positively in regular supervision and annual appraisa
Comply with the Trusts infection control policies and procedures and undertake the necessary training in Infection Prevention and Control as identified by the

Policy and/or Service Development:

To undertake all duties in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the Trust and the CRN. It is the post holder's responsibility to ensure they keep up to date with these policies and other polic
To support the Trust Research Governance Lead to ensure and monitor adherence to current National and Trust research governance policy of CRN adopted studies running within the Trust

Management of Resources:

To assist and support the research network in the establishment of an efficient working environment, making the most effective and efficient use of staff, supplies and services.
To utilise all available resources to the maximum benefit of the service, being aware of resource implications specific to the Network
Ensure that agreed Trust policies and procedures are

Research and Development:

To assist with the creation and delivery of relevant CRN training package
To contribute to the development of the research capacity of service user and carer interests and organisation
To support the development of clinical service mapping and provision of high quality information to the CRN

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties will be allocated to the post-holder according to qualifications and experience. They are likely to involve some or all of the following:

Patient recruitment and retention in studies
To attend multidisciplinary team meetings regularly to aid identification of appropriate Trusts/wards etc within the CRN for recruitment of participants to CRN North West London Division 4 studies
To identify participants to NIHR adopted studies according to specific protocols and guidelines, and assist clinicians to obtain informed consent from those participants
To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants and their carers for the duration of their involvement in the research project and to assist participants with the completion of questionnaires as necessary
To co-ordinate treatment, assessment and follow-up as necessary in accordance with research protocol
To assist the Senior Research Nurse/Division Manager to monitor patient recruitment
To identify areas of low patient recruitment and liaise with the Senior Research Nurse/ Division Manager and to identify mechanism for improving
To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines
To provide support to research teams to obtain approvals from Trust Research Governance and Local Ethics Committees
To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to specific research protocols and adheres to the Data Protection Act 1998 and according to ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines
To facilitate the recording of patient recruitment on CRN Data Entry System
To provide information / reports on recruitment when requested by the Division Manager to provide support to research teams for assessments and follow-up of study participants.
To provide support to research teams for assessments and follow-up of study participants.With appropriate training, take clinical samples for studies; coordinate tissue sample collectionand dispatch to relevant departments or research centres

Service mapping

To work with R&D staff, Trust and university employees to co-ordinate existing information into a comprehensive overview of services and service user support services across the North West London region
To develop, catalogue and maintain appropriate filing systems and other office management systems to record that information

Communication:

To attend and contribute to Division Management Group meeting
To attend and contribute to project management group meetings for specific research project
To liaise with other Clinical Research Assistant within the CRN to ensure the needs of the Network are me
To provide information and education on research projects adopted by the CRN to interested partie
To disseminate information on the CRN to a range of audiences in a variety of format
To maintain a working knowledge of relevant practice and to disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc. to personnel working on research project
To liaise with CRN and academic staff, the wider Trust personnel, and external contact
To maintain position of integrity, appreciating the need for confidentiality when dealing with staff and issues appertaining to this pos
To liaise with a wide range of internal and external organisations and teams in support of the CRN Hu
To form and maintain close working relationships with the Divisional Manager, Specialty Lead, Divisional Lead and others as appropriat
To offer advice and support to research active staff, patients and carers, as appropriate

Training:

To keep up to date with relevant training and develop skills and knowledge by maintaining a programme o
To participate positively in regular supervision and annual appraisa
Comply with the Trusts infection control policies and procedures and undertake the necessary training in Infection Prevention and Control as identified by the

Policy and/or Service Development:

To undertake all duties in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the Trust and the CRN. It is the post holder's responsibility to ensure they keep up to date with these policies and other polic
To support the Trust Research Governance Lead to ensure and monitor adherence to current National and Trust research governance policy of CRN adopted studies running within the Trust

Management of Resources:

To assist and support the research network in the establishment of an efficient working environment, making the most effective and efficient use of staff, supplies and services.
To utilise all available resources to the maximum benefit of the service, being aware of resource implications specific to the Network
Ensure that agreed Trust policies and procedures are

Research and Development:

To assist with the creation and delivery of relevant CRN training package
To contribute to the development of the research capacity of service user and carer interests and organisation
To support the development of clinical service mapping and provision of high quality information to the CRN

Person Specification

Qualifications/ Education

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a healthcare-related field.

Desirable

ICH Good Clinical Practice

Experience

Essential

Experience working in an NHS based health or social care environment with service user contact.

Desirable

Experience of working on research studies with minimal supervision and in accordance with good clinical practice guidelines, including obtaining clinical samples
Project management experience

Skills

Essential

Good IT skills, including demonstrable competence in word processing and data entry systems
High level of interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
Excellent organisational skills including the ability to establish appropriate documentation and record keeping.
Proven time management skills including the ability to manage own workload within defined parameters
Willing to undertake training (if necessary) to deliver assessments and take clinical samples from study participants.
Able to contribute to the creation and delivery of CRN training packages

Desirable

Experience of public speaking

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of clinical trials in the field of mental health, dementia or neurodegenerative diseases conditions and social care.
Demonstrable knowledge of research design and methods including an understanding of the analytical process

Abilities

Essential

Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in data collection and recording
Ability to receive, analyse and handle large volumes of complex, sensitive and highly confidential information.
Phlebotomy trained or willing to learn.

Person Specification

Qualifications/ Education

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a healthcare-related field.

Desirable

ICH Good Clinical Practice

Experience

Essential

Experience working in an NHS based health or social care environment with service user contact.

Desirable

Experience of working on research studies with minimal supervision and in accordance with good clinical practice guidelines, including obtaining clinical samples
Project management experience

Skills

Essential

Good IT skills, including demonstrable competence in word processing and data entry systems
High level of interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
Excellent organisational skills including the ability to establish appropriate documentation and record keeping.
Proven time management skills including the ability to manage own workload within defined parameters
Willing to undertake training (if necessary) to deliver assessments and take clinical samples from study participants.
Able to contribute to the creation and delivery of CRN training packages

Desirable

Experience of public speaking

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of clinical trials in the field of mental health, dementia or neurodegenerative diseases conditions and social care.
Demonstrable knowledge of research design and methods including an understanding of the analytical process

Abilities

Essential

Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in data collection and recording
Ability to receive, analyse and handle large volumes of complex, sensitive and highly confidential information.
Phlebotomy trained or willing to learn.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information