Senior Clinical Research Assistant

The Senior Clinical Research Assistant will support the delivery of the research study, which is a novel Greater Manchester wide implementation pilot and evaluation of a Mental Health Joint Response Car for Young People and Families experiencing mental health crisis. The post holder will become a member of the Young People's Mental Health Research Centre, benefitting from the vibrant and supportive research environment of the Centre and existing team.

The role will involve leading on discrete tasks within the research team, the recruitment of participants, following informed assent and consent processes, supporting people with lived experience advising on the project, presenting to a variety of stakeholders about the project at events and meetings, supporting the dissemination and communication plan, and undertaking a range of clinical research assessments as per study protocols and local guidelines for the completion of research documentation. These may include but are not exclusive to the completion of research assessments, qualitative interviews, workshops, engaging with the immersive theatre component of the study, and the management of routinely collected quantitative data.

Main duties of the job include:

• Recruitment of participants, following informed assent and consent processes.
• Supporting people with lived experience advising on the project.
• Presenting to a variety of stakeholders about the project at events and meetings.
• Supporting the dissemination and communication plan.
• Undertaking a range of clinical research assessments as per study protocols and local guidelines.
• Providing information and answering any questions or queries from patients, staff, stakeholders, participants and carers about the study.
• Using excellent communication skills to communicate with a variety of stakeholders.
• Having advanced organisational skills to prioritise and effectively manage their workload.

The post holder will work independently according to an agreed plan and under supervision within the Trust's R&D framework. The Research and Innovation Department has responsibility for all elements of research governance within the Trust and provides corporate support to internal staff and external partners undertaking research, service evaluations and innovation projects.

Job responsibilities include:

• Promoting the study to staff and service users across Greater Manchester.
• Exercising professional judgement to assess patient eligibility for participation in research projects.
• Leading on discrete tasks within the research team.
• Managing enquiries from potential recruits and/or their advocates.
• Communicating detailed information to young people and their families and advocates about their participation in the study.
• Offering support to participants during their involvement in the research project.
• Liaising with appropriate multi-disciplinary team members in health and social care, and Greater Manchester Police, regarding recruitment and support of research participants.
• Visiting participants at a variety of locations to assess eligibility, take informed consent and collect outcome measures.
• Ensuring all research activities are undertaken in adherence with the study protocol and the UK policy framework for health and social care research.
• Maintaining confidentiality of information regarding patients, families, and carers at all times.
• Completing audio-recordings of interviews and their transcription.
• Inputting of data.
• Proactively engaging stakeholders in the research process.
• Assisting in the facilitation of focus groups.
• Being aware of the psychological/emotional needs of the patient/carer.
• Engaging fully in supervision, communicating openly and honestly about experiences and progress on the project.

Project Management Support includes:

• Working closely and effectively with other team members towards the success of the project.
• Arranging briefings for teams and stakeholders as appropriate.
• Assisting the project team leads and centre manager with the general delivery of the study.
• Liaising with the study sponsor, clinicians and research collaborators.
• Maintaining and providing up-to-date project and recruitment information.
• Organising groups associated with the research study.
• Entering and checking quantitative research data, under supervision.
• Ordering supplies for the research team.
• Ensuring that appropriate facilities and resources are available as required per research visit.
• Undertaking advance planning to meet deadlines for formal study monitoring and study milestones.
• Contributing to the training and support of other Research Assistants on the project and across the Trust.
• Presenting at conferences, study days and meetings when required.
• Actively promoting the research study and any other research opportunities.
• Acting as an ambassador for the Research and Innovation Department of Pennine.
• Contributing positively to the research culture and activities of the Young People's Mental Health Research Centre.

Person Specification includes:

• BSc(Hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent.
• Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
• Excellent PC literacy including knowledge of all Microsoft Office packages.
• Experience of working in a professional capacity with people with mental health issues.
• Experience of working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
• Good understanding of data confidentiality/GDPR.
• Demonstrable administration experience.
• Previous research experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead on discrete tasks within a research project.

Work related circumstances include:

• To work flexibly when required.
• Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs.
• Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies.

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