Research Assistant

Job summary

Applications are invited for two, full-time band 4 Research Assistant posts for 12 months in the first instance, within GMMH NHS FT. The applicants must be available to start work on01/09/2024.

In this NIHR-funded programme of research, Prof Daniel Freeman and team at the University of Oxford have created a new six-month guided online programme for the treatment of persecutory delusions called Feeling Safer. Users can access Feeling Safer whenever they choose via smartphone/computer/or tablet. A range of mental health workers can support the delivery of the treatment over six months. Six face-to-face sessions will be reserved for going out with patients into everyday situations to relearn safety. By providing Feeling Safe in an accessible version across the NHS, we aim to achieve substantially improved outcomes for the large number of people with persecutory delusions who have not responded sufficiently to current treatment.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a research team evaluating Feeling Safer, via a multi-centre randomised controlled trial treating patients diagnosed with psychosis with a current persecutory delusion. Patients will be randomised to either; (1) Feeling Safer + treatment as usual, supported by peer support workers, (2) Feeling Safer + treatment as usual, supported by assistant psychologists/graduate mental health workers, (3) Feeling Safer + treatment as usual, supported by a clinical psychologist providing CBT therapy, (4) treatment as usual.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidates for these posts will hold a good (2.1/1st class) degree in Psychology with experience of conducting research, sound knowledge of research design and methods, and interests in working with people who experience psychosis and in psychological approaches to psychosis. Strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to meet deadlines. The post will involve frequent travel across Greater Manchester to meet participants at their homes/community venues, and to liaise with clinical services. Full training in the assessment measures, presenting to clinical teams, and engaging & communicating with people who experience psychosis, will be provided.

The main duties are:

• To recruit patients who experience psychosis into the Feeling Safer trial via regular liaison with our colleagues in clinical mental health services within GMMH, including delivering presentations on the research to clinical teams. There will be monthly recruitment targets for the trial;
• To meet with participants to seek informed consent and complete baseline clinical research assessments, and follow-up assessments;
• To enter data and manage databases;
• To support and enhance the clinical research activities of the Feeling Safer trial and of PRU;
• To undertake training, study team meetings, and regular supervision with a Clinical Psychologist.*This advert may be taken down earlier than 14th June at 23.59pm if sufficient applications are received.*

About us

This is an exciting opportunity to join our research team at the Psychosis Research Unit (PRU) to support the Feeling Safer trial. PRU was established by Prof Tony Morrison, a leading expert in conducting randomised controlled trials to evaluate psychological approaches to reduce the distress associated with psychosis.

At PRU a normalising approach to understanding psychosis is promoted. We believe experiences and beliefs regarded as symptoms of psychosis are often highly understandable reactions to adverse life events.

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over7000members 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.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

The Psychosis Research Unit: Rico House (c/o Prestwich site, GMMH NHS FT)

George Street

Prestwich

M25 9WS

Employer's website

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

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Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

The Psychosis Research Unit: Rico House (c/o Prestwich site, GMMH NHS FT)

George Street

Prestwich

M25 9WS

Employer's website

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

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