Patient Research Ambassador

Job overview

Are you passionate about improving healthcare through research and ensuring that patients, carers and service users have a voice in shaping research in a mental health trust?

Patient and public involvement in research is an essential part of the research process and is something we value at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. In practice, this means including the voices of service users, carers, staff and members of the community in how research is designed, carried out and shared.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and engaging Patient Research Ambassador to join our Research & Development team. This unique role will help promote research across the Trust, support patient and public involvement activities, and encourage participation in research studies. You will work closely with service users, carers, researchers and staff to improve the research experience and ensure research is accessible and inclusive.

Please note this vacancy may close earlier than the listed closing date and time should the maximum number of applications be reached - so please do not delay in submitting your application.

Main duties of the job

The ideal candidate will have lived experience of mental health services or research as a service user, carer, advocate or representative, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to co-production and patient involvement. Experience of participating in research or knowledge of the research process is desirable.

As part of the Research and Development team, you will work alongside existing service user and carer groups within the Trust, as well as with third sector and community organisations to increase understanding and awareness of mental health research.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to mental health research and help shape future healthcare improvements for patients and communities.

The successful candidate will act as the main point of contact for service user and carer involvement in adult mental health research. They will chair and manage the Help from Experts by Experience for Researchers, a service user and carer lived experience group. Attendance at various internal and external meetings and events will be part of this role e.g. the Trust’s Service User Network. They will help to promote diversity in research by engaging with underrepresented groups within local communities. They will raise the profile of service user involvement in research by sharing best practice and engaging with the wider organisation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We recruit people based on their values and qualifications (where required) and believe that their lived experience is an advantage, this means that together we are as diverse as the communities we care for. Simply put, when we employ caring people who act with integrity and have the right skills, we can give those with mental health challenges, learning disabilities and neurodiversity high-quality care and support to live fulfilling lives, and make our staff feel purposeful, happy and valued.

All our information is available in accessible formats. Please contact the Recruitment team recruitment.lypft@nhs.net

Attached to this advert is our candidates guide to values-based recruitment and supporting guidance on how to make a successful application.

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Recruitment Team or see the attached candidate guide to reasonable adjustments.

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Guide to Values Based Recruitment. This document provides you with information to help you apply.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.