Research Assistant – STRAND study

Job overview

Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the STRAND study. The STRAND study will evaluate the psychometric properties of a new screening tool designed to identify ADHD in people with intellectual disabilities.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to work on all aspects of this study, from maintaining ethical approvals and compliance, collecting data, data analysis, and disseminating research findings through written reports, poster and verbal presentations at regional/national online/in person events and conferences. The role will involve travelling to research sites to raise awareness of the STRAND study, supporting clinicians to assess their patient caseload according to study inclusion and exclusion criteria, and facilitating the self-assessment of ADHD using the STRAND tool among identified patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Project Design, Delivery, Management and Dissemination

• Alongside the Trial Manager and Chief Investigator, assist in the delivery and day to day running of the STRAND project. This might involve record and file keeping, data entry, data collection, and training of colleagues with study processes and procedures.
• Undertake data analysis, using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, using Excel spreadsheets, statistical approaches and dedicated software where appropriate.
• Ensure that the project is completed within specified timeframes and to a high-quality standard, in line with agreed protocols.
• Contribute to the dissemination of completed projects in a variety of formats, to include writing research publications for submission to peer reviewed journals, writing updates for project stakeholders, developing content for social media accounts, and plain English/Easy Read summaries for patient/carer stakeholders as required, and the provision of verbal presentations for meetings/conferences.
• Identify quality improvement opportunities through analysis and understanding of data and information, reflection, and critical thinking.
• Work with colleagues in the Quality Improvement (QI) and Practice, Audit & Clinical Effectiveness (PACE) Departments and multidisciplinary colleagues to establish publishable projects.

Communication and Relationships

• Be able to adapt your verbal and written communication to be accessible to people with learning/intellectual disabilities.
• Identify, establish, and maintain working relationships with the relevant colleagues and clinicians within the Trust and externally.
• Devise email, website, and social media content to update relevant stakeholders of the STRAND study.
• Identify, develop, and maintain effective collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders, to include clinicians, patients, carers, and organisations.
• Participate in communication, including preparation and delivery of presentations, reports and newsletters or meetings detailing the work of the Research and Development Department

Governance Management

• Maintain a strong and current working knowledge of developments regarding clinical research, its regulation and governance, Good Clinical Practice (NIHR), NHS functions and services.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current legislation regarding Data Protection.

Continuous Professional Development

• Continually update knowledge and understanding of the clinical populations served by the Trust.
• Attend local and national events to remain up to date on field developments and promote the STRAND study.

Health and Safety

• Health and Safety at Work In accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended) and other relevant Health and Safety legislation, staff have a duty to take responsible care to avoid injury to themselves and others by their work activities, to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees and to co-operate in meeting statutory requirements

Infection Control

All Trust staff will:

• Act as a role model and champion for the highest standard of all aspects of infection prevention and control and implementation of all Infection Prevention and Control Trust polices and guidelines.
• Demonstrate respect for the roles and endeavours of others, in implementing good standards of hand hygiene.
• Value and recognise the ideas and contributions of colleagues in their endeavours to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infection.

Equality and Diversity

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing an environment where all staff, service users and carers enjoy equality of access, provision, opportunity and outcomes. The Trust works to eliminate all forms of discrimination and recognise that this requires, not only a commitment to remove discrimination, but also action through positive policies to redress inequalities.

Providing equality of opportunity means understanding and appreciating the diversity of our staff, service users & carers and ensuring a supportive environment free from harassment. Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust actively encourages its staff to challenge discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for all.

Confidentiality

Employees must maintain confidentiality of staff, patients and Trust business and have a responsibility to comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018 and be aware of the Caldicott principles. If you are required to process information, you should do so in a fair and lawful way, ensuring accuracy is maintained. You should hold information only for the specific registered purpose and not use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such a purpose. You should disclose information only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed. Breaches of confidentiality in relation to information will result in disciplinary action, which may include dismissal. Employees are expected to comply with all Trust policies and procedures and to work in accordance of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018. For those posts where there is management or supervision of other staff it is the responsibility of that employee to ensure that their staff receive appropriate training.

Standards of Business Conduct and Conflicts of Interest

The Trust has adopted a Standards of Conduct Policy, which reflects NHS Management Executive Guidelines. It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they act as a role model, by upholding the principle of a leading mental Trust. Staff should be informing their line manager if they are working for any other organisation to ensure that this Trust complies with the Working Time Regulations.

Information and Records Management

• The post holder must be competent in using IT and have the relevant skills to carry out the activities required for the post.
• To comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Department of Health Code of Confidentiality in line with Trust procedures.
• To adhere to the Trust’s policies on records management including creation, use, storing and retention and disposal of records.
• Adhere to the Trust’s Corporate Identity (using the standard templates – available on the Trust intranet ‘HIVE’).

Safeguarding Adults and Children

The Trust is committed to ensuring adults and children are protected and come to no harm from abuse. All employees have a responsibility to be aware of national and local policies, their individual responsibilities with regards to the protection and safeguarding of both adults and children, and must adhere to them at all times.

Organisational Change

As services develop and change, the post holder may be required to undertake other responsibilities within the Trust.

Flexible Working

The Trust believes that its staff members are its most valuable asset and is committed to attracting and retaining the very best, and utilising all the talent and experience available. The Trust recognises the importance of helping its employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their working life with other priorities, including parental and other caring responsibilities, life-long learning, charity work, leisure activities and other interests.

Review:

This job description is an outline, which reflects the present requirements of the post and is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of duties and responsibilities. As these duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder.