Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a R&D Clinical Studies Officer to join the Research and Development Department at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a fixed-term opportunity for a nurse, other healthcare worker, or a health/social care/psychology graduate with experience in clinical research to join our established team and work on a diverse portfolio of research studies across Sussex Partnership services.
This position offers a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and expertise in clinical research. Furthermore, you will be supported with personal and professional development and ongoing education.
The successful candidate will work on a range of projects including recruiting participants and helping to support and engage them in research, overseeing local study set-up, collecting data, carrying out clinical assessments and ensuring research follows good clinical practice.They will also lead on conducting outreach and engagement work with diverse communities across Sussex. They will promote and facilitate inclusivity and diverse recruitment to NIHR Portfolio research studies.
We are seeking a highly motivated and organised individual who works well with competing deadlines and has strong interpersonal and communication skills, combining sensitivity and empathy. Previous clinical experience in NHS mental health services would be an advantage, as would at least six months' experience of working across mental health research studies.
Main duties of the job
- To ensure the wellbeing of trial participants
- To identify potential participants for NIHR portfolio studies
- To screen for participant eligibility to enter research studies
- To recruit participants into research studies
- To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants
- To obtain valid informed consent from prospective research participants.
- To carry out assessment of the needs of participants/relatives in research studies
- To liaise with senior clinical and management staff to encourage and support their active involvement in research.
- To attend multidisciplinary team meetings regularly to identify appropriate mental health and social care services from which service users and carers might be invited to take part in research
- To coordinate care and treatment, assessment and follow-up as necessary
- To assist the Research & Development Governance Team to monitor the engagement of participants in research projects.
- With appropriate training, to take clinical samples for studies (including bloods); coordinate tissue sample collection and dispatch to relevant departments or research centres.
- Organise and manage defined procedures, conduct intervention treatments and collect/record data arising from these.
- Conduct outreach and engagement activities with communities to discuss mental health research delivery in local settings and raise awareness of research opportunities.
About us
Sussex Partnership is one of the most research active Mental Health Trusts in England. The successful applicant will be supported by a large and expanding Research & Development Department that is committed to the design, delivery and translation of high-quality research.
Our team of clinical researchers manage the delivery of high-quality clinical research, funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). We work closely with our research partners like the University of Sussex, Brighton & Sussex medical School, other universities and NHS Trusts across the country. Our work mainly involves recruitment of participants, data collection, clinical & psychological assessments and dissemination of findings.
There will be opportunities to meet staff on other projects and from different disciplines, and to take up CPD opportunities to strengthen your clinical and research work experience. You will receive regular supervision from experienced researchers and get to work closely with psychologists and clinical academics. We welcome flexible and agile working to ensure our team members' wellbeing.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities are listed in the section on 'Main Duties of the Job'.
Key Relationships: The role will involve close liaison with mental health, social care and primary care services including both inpatient units and community settings, as well as with appropriate Research & Development Departments and Clinical Nurse Specialists. Furthermore, the post-holder will be expected to assist in Local Research Ethics Committee and research governance administration associated with research studies. The post-holder will actively promote research amongst clinicians, service users, the wider NHS and communities in Sussex. They will also meet with the CEOs of community organisations and/or link with their health impact workers to facilitate two-way conversations about the importance of mental health research and delivery, and research opportunities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities are listed in the section on 'Main Duties of the Job'.
Key Relationships: The role will involve close liaison with mental health, social care and primary care services including both inpatient units and community settings, as well as with appropriate Research & Development Departments and Clinical Nurse Specialists. Furthermore, the post-holder will be expected to assist in Local Research Ethics Committee and research governance administration associated with research studies. The post-holder will actively promote research amongst clinicians, service users, the wider NHS and communities in Sussex. They will also meet with the CEOs of community organisations and/or link with their health impact workers to facilitate two-way conversations about the importance of mental health research and delivery, and research opportunities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN/RGN or equivalent qualification in health or social care, or Psychology degree (2:1 or above)
Desirable
- A degree or diploma with a substantial research component
- Higher degree/formal study of research design and methods in clinical or social settings
Experience
Essential
- An understanding of, and commitment to, research about mental health
- An understanding of the needs of service users who may wish to be involved in research.
- Experience of managing difficult situations.
Desirable
- Research experience or evidence of clinical audit and/or evaluation
- Experience of taking part in research projects with service users and staff.
- Experience as a practitioner or as a service user in mental health or social care services
- Project management experience
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with experience of communicating complex information
- Highly motivated with the ability to work as part of a team and on an individual basis.
- Excellent organisational skills with proven ability to prioritise.
- Computer skills including experience of Excel and database systems
- The ability to establish appropriate documentation and record keeping.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RMN/RGN or equivalent qualification in health or social care, or Psychology degree (2:1 or above)
Desirable
- A degree or diploma with a substantial research component
- Higher degree/formal study of research design and methods in clinical or social settings
Experience
Essential
- An understanding of, and commitment to, research about mental health
- An understanding of the needs of service users who may wish to be involved in research.
- Experience of managing difficult situations.
Desirable
- Research experience or evidence of clinical audit and/or evaluation
- Experience of taking part in research projects with service users and staff.
- Experience as a practitioner or as a service user in mental health or social care services
- Project management experience
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with experience of communicating complex information
- Highly motivated with the ability to work as part of a team and on an individual basis.
- Excellent organisational skills with proven ability to prioritise.
- Computer skills including experience of Excel and database systems
- The ability to establish appropriate documentation and record keeping.
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.
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
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.
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).
