Clinical Research Assistant

You will work across CNWL and West London NHS Trust as part of the NHS Talking Therapies programme. You will contribute to the delivery and evaluation of service transformation initiatives, including digital tools and workforce interventions. You will assess their impact on access, waiting times, engagement, recovery outcomes and health inequalities. You will engage with senior leaders, clinical teams, service users and system partners to deliver high-quality evaluation in real-world NHS settings. You will work across a range of NIHR-aligned and locally commissioned projects. Your work will include data collection, analysis, service mapping, reporting and sharing findings with a range of audiences.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of digital innovation in NHS Talking Therapies. You will help evaluate new technologies, improve services and shape future delivery across North West London. You will deliver evaluation, data collection and service mapping as part of a large-scale NHS Talking Therapies pilot programme delivered jointly by CNWL and West London NHS Trust. This fixed-term post is funded through NHS England and plays a key role in evaluating digital tools, strengthening the evidence base and informing future service development. You will be responsible for delivering core elements of evaluation activity, including data analysis, reporting and service mapping. You will work closely with clinical, operational, digital and analytical colleagues across both Trusts. You will also liaise with system partners, including product providers, and present findings to senior stakeholders, including Boards and commissioners.

You will be part of a collaborative, supportive and values‑driven team, working at the interface between research, clinical services and system transformation. This role offers excellent development opportunities for individuals interested in research, service evaluation, population health, digital innovation or future clinical or academic careers within the NHS. Both Trusts are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver evaluation activity for digital and service transformation initiatives within NHS Talking Therapies
• Coordinate data collection from clinical systems (e.g. IAPTus), digital tools and service teams
• Monitor and report on key outcomes, including activity, waiting times, engagement, dropout and recovery
• Produce reports, summaries and presentations for internal and system stakeholders
• Work in line with research governance, data protection and information governance, IT and Digital teams requirements

Health inequalities and service mapping

• Lead service mapping across North West London to understand variation in access and provision
• Analyse demographic and inequalities data to inform targeted improvement work
• Work with clinical and operational colleagues to deliver outreach and evaluation activity

Communication and collaboration

• Work collaboratively with clinical, operational, digital and analytical colleagues across both Trusts
• Contribute to project, programme and governance meetings
• Present findings and share learning with a range of stakeholders using appropriate formats

Governance and quality

• Work in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, Trust policies and research governance standards
• Ensure accurate, timely and high-quality data recording and documentation
• Maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information appropriately
• Participate in supervision, appraisal and relevant training
• Develop research and evaluation skills in line with service and programme needs

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a healthcare-related field
• ICH Good Clinical Practice training certificate

Experience

• Experience working with people with mental health issues in an in-patient or community care setting in the NHS
• Three to five years’ experience in research delivery or patient recruitment in clinical research

Skills

• Good IT skills, including demonstrable competence in word processing and data entry systems
• Strong organisational skills and ability to maintain documentation and record keeping
• Proven time management skills including the ability to manage own workload, within defined parameters and meet deadlines
• High level of interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
• Ability to contribute to the creation and delivery of CRN training packages
• Experience of public speaking
• Ability to travel across North West London

Abilities

• Ability to receive, analyse and handle large volume of complex, sensitive and highly confidential information
• Ability to work on own initiative and to take decisions independently when necessary
• Diplomatic and calm under pressure
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information to a range of audiences and through a variety of mediums with confidence, empathy and enthusiasm
• Evidence of accuracy and attention to detail in data collection and recording
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively contributing to the formulation and adjustment of plans and organising clinical, academic and service user involvement within those plans
• Proven ability to work effectively as a team member as well as working alone
• Ability to deal with the public and colleagues in a pleasant and polite manner at all times

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings. Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period. If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. 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.