Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant post to support with the recruitment of young people belonging to UK ethnic minority groups in clinical research.
The post-holder will join the Youth Mental Health Research Unit (About Us - JUICE Research Unit - GMMH - NHS (juicementalhealth.com) to support the Bipolar At Risk Trial II (BART II). BART II is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded, multisite randomised controlled trial investigating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for those considered 'at risk' of developing bipolar disorder. The applicant will work with a team of leading experts in bipolar disorder including those with lived experience. Data from this study will hopefully help shape NHS services for this population group.
The post-holder will join a unique team of clinical and research staff who are passionate about optimising mental health services through applied research, working alongside clinical services and other relevant health and education settings.
Main duties of the job
The research assistant will support and enhance the clinical research activities of the Youth Mental Health Research Unit (including clinical research assessments, conduct of research, collection of data, development of audit and/or research projects, training, and project work) with a particular focus on inclusivity recruitment in BART II.
The post holder will have a specific focus on improving access to this trial for UK ethnic minority participants. This post will support recruitment work across the Northwest Coast (see map for geographical locations: Local Clinical Research Networks (nihr.ac.uk)) with a particular focus on outreach in the community. The postholder will be working with communities to better understand how research can be designed and delivered in a way that is acceptable and feasible to young people with experience of racial inequality who meet the inclusion criteria, and what actions can be taken to overcome any identified barriers to accessing or engaging with clinical research.
The post holder will be based in Manchester at the Prestwich site with frequent travel across the Northwest Coast region.
About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over6,400members of staff, who deliver services from more than160locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond
The rehab division provide inpatient and community services across the GMMH footprint. Our MDT include Medical staff, Nursing staff, Occupational therapists, Psychologists, support workers, specialist housing support.
We offer individualised and personalised care through a recovery focused approach in order to maximise the person's optimum functioning and full potential. In order to achieve this we embrace a positive risk taking approach in order to offer service users choice and control in their care incorporating a harm reduction approach if appropriate. We strive to involve carers/family wherever possible and offer specialised support include peer support to instil hope for recovery.
We will strive to understand our service users stories and make sure all our services are trauma informed.
We aim to assess and enhance service users willingness and readiness to engage in their recovery journey including identifying and working together to overcome barriers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
See attached detailed job description and person specification:
Staff benefits
- Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
- Excellent pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Wellbeing programme
- Blue Light Card Discounts
Job description
Job responsibilities
See attached detailed job description and person specification:
Staff benefits
- Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
- Excellent pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Wellbeing programme
- Blue Light Card Discounts
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Good honours degree in psychology (at least 2:1).
Experience
Essential
- Experience of conducting research
Desirable
- Have experience as a research assistant
- Have experience in Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) in a research setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Have knowledge of research design
- Knowledge of research methods, including, data collection and analysis
- Good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable people
Desirable
- Knowledge regarding racial inequality in a relevant area.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work towards agreed goals, reviewed regularly in supervision
- Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis and use own initiative.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate an interest in and commitment to working with people with mental health difficulties and lived experience of racial inequality.
- To be able to communicate effectively with service users, relatives, carers, community members and a range of professionals and non-academics (verbally and in writing).
Desirable
- Full UK driving license (subject to Disability Discrimination legislation)
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Good honours degree in psychology (at least 2:1).
Experience
Essential
- Experience of conducting research
Desirable
- Have experience as a research assistant
- Have experience in Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) in a research setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Have knowledge of research design
- Knowledge of research methods, including, data collection and analysis
- Good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable people
Desirable
- Knowledge regarding racial inequality in a relevant area.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work towards agreed goals, reviewed regularly in supervision
- Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis and use own initiative.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate an interest in and commitment to working with people with mental health difficulties and lived experience of racial inequality.
- To be able to communicate effectively with service users, relatives, carers, community members and a range of professionals and non-academics (verbally and in writing).
Desirable
- Full UK driving license (subject to Disability Discrimination legislation)
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).
