Job summary
Employer heading
Research Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 4
Would you like to work in an organisation that sits in the top 10 best NHS Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Services Trust to work for. This ranking is based on staff feedback in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
Job overview
The post holder will be working on an exciting study as part of a collaboration between Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology based at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey. Our aim is to support people living with dementia, their carers and families to live longer in their own homes and prevent avoidable admission into hospital. We use technology in the home which connects to a remote clinical monitoring team who respond to alerts and work with our participants, clinicians and wider team. This data is collected through a system called ‘MINDER’. We hope to develop different ways to provide support to people living with dementia at home and this role is vital in ensuring that our participants are kept safe through the study, that data collected is accurate and that alerts are responded to.
You can read more about the UK Dementia Research Institute here: https://ukdri.ac.uk/
Main duties of the job
The post holder will part of the clinical workforce for MINDER. They will work with our participants to ensure they are continuously monitored via the data dashboard. They will be trained to respond to alerts based on changes in participants health status to support both the participants and better and faster clinical decision-making.
The post holder will be in contact with people with dementia, their carers, collecting research data and updating clinical records as appropriate. This work is part funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and the post holder will work with colleagues at Imperial College London within the Care Research and Technology centre.
A requirement of this post is the ability to travel independently throughout Surrey. It would be beneficial for applicants to have their own car, however we can provide access to a pool car.
Applicants who do not have a full UK driving licence will not be considered.
Working for our organisation
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.
We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organisations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.
Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.
Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach.
For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.
Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Qualifications required
- Degree level education in Psychology or other health related subject, or equivalent relevant experience
- Knowledge and expertise regarding the mandatory standards regarding conduction/construction of clinical trials (to include GCP/Research Governance Framework/EU Directive/Data Protection Act)
Experience required
- Ability to coordinate collection of data to agreed timescales
- Experience of research in the NHS desirable
- Excellent computer skills
Suitable for someone who is highly motivated and passionate about providing high quality mental health research to people that use our services. Ability to work autonomously as well as part of the wider team is essential.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Monitoring:
- To assess and manage clinical information received via the Minder dashboard each shift
- To follow prescribed protocols and algorithms once information is received
- To communicate effectively with all stakeholders to pass on clinical data received
- To record all information in the electronic patient record (EPR) and any other system as necessary
- To maintain and build upon existing professional relationships with clinical and non-clinical Minder stakeholders to support effective working practices.
- To ensure the clinical effectiveness of clinical practice and of service functioning by undertaking audit, research and development activities relevant to Minder.
- Making sure protocols and governance are followed according to the Minder evaluation process.
- To contribute to the evaluation of the Minder System by participating in service-related audit, research and evaluation projects
- The post holder will respond professionally to all requests for information and assistance, using discretion as to appropriateness of requests and being aware of confidentiality and
Research:
Data Collection
- To collect participants’ data working to ICH GCP and research governance guidelines.
- To perform remote data entry on IT systems when required.
- To acquire additional clinical trial data from other departments and external organisations.
- Work alongside consultants and care coordinators to identify eligible participants for studies by screening consultant caseloads for example, to facilitate recruitment of participants to research studies
- Where possible, maximise participant retention in studies
- Ensure that participants are fully informed about research and ensure participants consent to research studies in accordance with legislation and taking into consideration the Mental Capacity Act
- Where required, support study delivery by undertaking research activities outlined in approved study protocol, including taking informed consent and administrating cognitive assessments.
- Collect and maintain data and study documentation (including site files), and ensure that all data collected, stored and used is done so in compliance with relevant statutory instruments, national and local guidelines and regulations.
Clinical Trial Administration
- Adhere to Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP), Research Governance Framework, national and local practices and policies
- Provide written reports regarding the progress of the research to the research team
- Support the management team in the event of inspection from a regulatory and/or monitoring authority
- Participate in multi-disciplinary meetings and reviews
- The post holder will provide guidance and support for Principle Investigators, sharing knowledge of best practice and current legislation/guidance.
- Ensure all trials within the post holders remit, run within SABP, have received full ethical and Trust approval before being opened to recruitment
- Overseeing and assisting in the timely completion of Case Report Forms (CRFs) to reflect ongoing status of patients on trials.
- Responsible for reporting of any Serious Adverse Event (SAE) affecting patients enrolled into a clinical trial within required timeframe (usually 24 hours).
- Development and maintenance of trial site files.
- Provide timely information and reports to reflect recruitment of patients.
- As a member of the multi-disciplinary team, there will be involvement in the entire process of recruiting an individual participant to a clinical trial which will include: ensuring informed consent has been obtained, registration, randomisation, monitoring progress throughout treatment, relapse or treatment failure, treatment sequelae and follow up.
- Involvement in the planning, progress and management of clinical trials is a major job requirement and integral to the post.
Autonomous Working
- Prioritise work in an effective manner
- Work effectively with limited supervision
- Act independently and use own initiative to maintain collaborative research relationships with NHS, CRN, DRI and SABP staff.
Performance Management
- To receive regular supervision, both managerial and clinical, in accordance with SABP Trust policy guidelines
- To maintain and build on skills and competencies through annual appraisal and Personal Development Plans and attend training that takes account of evidence based practice and contributes to the team objectives. To undertake continuous professional development
- To work in accordance with all policies and procedures, including the support of equal opportunities and social inclusion.
- Take part in local, internal/external audits/inspections
This Job Description is an outline only and does not contain an exhaustive list of duties and there may be requirement to undertake additional responsibilities. It may be amended by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust following discussion with the post holder.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS (This describes the types of roles you will be required to work with):
Director of Innovation and Development
Associate Medical Director for R&D
R&D manager/Lead Research Nurse
The R&D Team
Clinical Research Officers and other staff
UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI)
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Comprehensive Local Research Network (KSS CRN)
UK Clinical Research Network
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
- Evidence of computer skills
- Valid UK driving Licence
Desirable criteria
- Experience of research in the NHS
Essential
Essential criteria
- Degree level education or relevant experience in healthcare field
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sai-Bo Cheung
- Job title
- Deputy Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01372 216584
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