Research Assistant

The main duties of the post-holder will be those concerned with identifying, recruiting and supporting patients through the research process as well as providing support as necessary to study teams and clinicians. Additionally, the post-holder will actively promote research and the work of the NIHR
amongst clinicians, service users and the wider NHS.
This post is hosted by West London NHS Trust and supported by the North West London Clinical Research Network (CRN) which forms part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) which was established by the Department of Health and aims to improve the speed, quality, and integration of research, ultimately resulting in improved patient care. The role is based within Research & Development Department and will be working across multiple organisations in West London to ensure people with mental health, dementia, learning disabilities, neurodegenerative and neurology problems have access to research opportunities.
The main function of the Research Assistant is to provide support to clinicians who wish to undertake research falling within the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) Portfolio across services covered by the North West London CRN. Research Assistant are embedded within clinical services and teams to support with identification of participants and recruitment to the NIHR portfolio.

The role will be based in the Research Delivery Service hosted by West London NHS Trust at West Middlesex University Hospital. This role also involves working across multiple organisations within West London to ensure people with mental health, dementia, learning disabilities, neurodegenerative and neurology problems have access to research opportunities.

Supported by the North West London Clinical Research Network (CRN): this is a chance to gain experience and knowledge of clinical research in the area of mental health.

You will work with research teams to recruit patients to a range of National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) portfolio studies. You will also promote research engagement actively assisting research teams with patient recruitment and data collection.

You should be able to demonstrate effective communication skills, good organisational skills, flexibility, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work autonomously. A willingness to travel to sites across London is essential as the roles are based within services, as well as an ability or willingness to learn phlebotomy is essential.

The Research Delivery Service is a diverse, social and outgoing team. As part of your role, you’ll have the opportunity to try out new ideas in response to challenges that arise, with the support of your manager and wider team. We believe in succeeding together, not in spite of one another.

The role will also bring opportunities to develop your clinical and leadership skills. For example, previous research assistants have now gone onto senior roles within the NHS, completing PhDs and DClinPsy training. We also work with other Research Delivery Services in London under NOCLOR, this provides opportunities for shared learning and creative thinking. In addition, we are an outgoing and social team who encourage, motivate and support one another.

The Research Delivery Service works with a diverse population at West London and is important to us that we reflect this. Our diverse team and leadership team are examples of how we embrace, celebrate and learn from each other’s cultures which helps to shape our clinical practices when interacting with our clients. Furthermore, it is key that team members uphold our values and work together for our clients with respect, dignity and compassion.

Our 3,982 staff care for people in hospital and in the community, helping them to recover and go on to lead full and productive lives. We aim to be the best organisation of our kind in the country.

We’re rated good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The role will involve engaging with clinical services, disseminating research trust wide, discussing studies with our clients and carrying out research activity. This can include assisting clients to complete baseline assessments, conducting clinical interviews or psychometric assessments and delivering psychological interventions.

Some previous studies research assistants have worked on include taking blood samples for a trial looking at immunological causes of psychosis, helping service users to complete questionnaires about their experiences of paranoia, delivering sleep intervention to carers of people living with dementia, and interviewing forensic service users about their experiences of restrictive practices.