Research Assistant

Job overview

Imagine if the work you did today could impact on how mental health care is delivered tomorrow. An exciting opportunity has arisen join the Research and Development (R&D) Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. A key aspect of this role is working on the delivery on a new randomised controlled trial.

This is an excellent development opportunity for a motivated and hardworking individual to gain experience in being part of a research team, expand their own knowledge of practice through supporting the delivery of research studies taking place within the trust. The portfolio of studies and locations offers the chance for this role to be both challenging and rewarding for the right candidate.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities Include:

To work as part of the research growth and delivery team as a member of the DIAMONDS study, which is a randomised controlled trial.

To interact appropriately with research participants, service users, their carers and relatives, with the ability to convey the goals of the research in a friendly manner.

Participate in and contribute towards multi-disciplinary meetings within the unit, as well as liaising with health professionals outside of the research team as required.

To support the recruitment of participants to research studies in mental health through liaison with local research networks and clinical teams

To assist in obtaining valid informed consent to take part in research studies, providing complex verbal and written information in the process of explaining study involvement.

To collect research data through standardised assessment measures completed with participants.

To maintain Trust records and any trial databases and, ensuring entries are complete, accurate and up-to-date in accordance with the Trust policies, the protocol and Good Clinical Practice guidelines

Any other duties appropriate to the grade.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communications and Working Relationships

• R&D departments, SLaM , SLP and KHP
• Matrons, Service General Managers, Service Delivery Managers
• Consultants and Junior Medical Staff
• Nursing Staff, Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Allied Health Professionals
• Administrative and Clerical Support Staff
• Lead Nurses/Co-ordinators, Research Delivery Managers and other research delivery staff
• South London CRN clinical divisions
• Professional and Technical staff
• Staff within non-commercial bodies and pharmaceutical companies and/or sponsors

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical:

• Carry out planned care required by the clinical trials protocol for patients and volunteers without direct supervision
• Delivering on a RCT as a DIAMOND coach
• Responsible for screening and recruiting to clinical studies. This includes both randomised clinical trials and other high-quality clinical studies. The role will involve working closely with multidisciplinary clinical teams
• To support patients to make informed choices concerning their involvement in research.
• Ensure that written informed consent from a participant has always been obtained for any research taking place within the Trust.
• Maintain all data and case report forms relating to clinical trials in accordance with the regulatory and governance environment for NHS research.
• Report any deviation on research protocols to senior staff and implement agreed changes in care programme.

Management:

• Required to use own initiative, take responsibility for decision-making and prioritise own workload within a team and individual context.
• Work autonomously within the boundaries of own competencies and capabilities, seeking advice from Principal Investigator/ study team/R&D team as necessary.
• Support the coordination and organisation of study processes, including scheduling meetings, preparing documentation, and maintaining accurate records to ensure smooth delivery of the project.
• Support engagement of lived experience advisors across the project including research co-design workshops.

Administration:

• Maintain a safe environment in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Maintain accurate documentation in research documents and patient notes and comply with Trust and research governance policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively at all times and maintain a harmonious working environment.
• Ensure the economical use of resources.
• Enter data accurately and promptly into service and study databases, ensuring these are auditable and complete.
• Good command of software packages such as Excel, word, MS Forms, SPSS, NVivo

Education and Training:

• Assist in the education and support of health care professionals to enable them to care for clinical trial patients and recruit to clinical trials where appropriate.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of research related topics particularly related to clinical trials.
• Assess the needs of participants, relatives and carers and provide them with information as requested.
• Educate participants, family and those who volunteer for clinical trials before, during and after clinical studies and investigations.
• Assist the R&D Nurse Manager in orientating all new staff to the department.

Other:

• Understand and adhere to Trust policies and procedures.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) at all times.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.