Research Fellow in Perinatal Mental Health - Exeter, United Kingdom - Devon Partnership NHS Trust

    Devon Partnership NHS Trust
    Devon Partnership NHS Trust Exeter, United Kingdom

    2 weeks ago

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    Fixed-Term
    Description

    Job summary

    Are you someone looking for a career in one of the UKs most respected mental health and learning disability trusts?

    Would you like to do a job that makes a difference every day?

    We are looking for Researcher to join the Research and Development team to be based remotely in Cambridge/Outer London and will need to travel to sites in Homerton and Tower Hamlets. You need to liaise with the site principle investigator in Cambridge University.

    This role will involve supporting a NIHR clinical trial on antenatal anxiety called ACORN II in all aspects of study delivery including facilitation of study set-up, liaising with stakeholders and study participants, accurate data collection, recruitment and follow-up of study participants, ensuring that all studies activities are conducted according to the study protocol, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Research Governance and local Trust guidelines. Your work will be focused on data collection, management of a research site and will involve liaising with clinical stakeholders and data admin.

    We will support you to learn the skills you need to thrive in the role. We will offer you the training and development support you need to begin a fulfilling career. In return, you will need to be motivated, flexible and eager to learn.

    DPT is growing as we establish ourselves us as one of the leading providers of mental health services in the country. Working as part of DPT, you will make a difference to peoples lives from the moment you start.

    Main duties of the job

    The post holder will be required to liaise with NHS services in London that are involved in the trial, recruit participants from scanning clinics, and provide remote follow-up assessments, so a level of comfort and knowledge of technology will be required. Experience of guided self-help and or working with anxious pregnant persons would be beneficial but not essential.

    You will be expected to work from home the majority of the time and will be provided with the equipment to do so, and be required to travel to Wonford House in Exeter, Devon on a few occasions. You will also be required to travel to research sites within the London area for the trial.

    This is a hr per week for 3 years fixed term or secondment position.

    About us

    About Devon Partnership Trust

    We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

    We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

    Our values

    We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

    We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    Research Study specific responsibilities

  • Provide information and support to patients and carers relating to the research protocol, procedures and treatment, follow-up and ensure that informed consent is obtained.
  • Deal with enquiries from other Health Care Professionals, patients and carers
  • Undertake the safe analysis, and completion of relevant documentation.
  • Some duties may be necessary after normal working hours therefore some flexibility required in work schedule.
  • Liaise with the ACORN II Clinical Trial Manager during set up period and provide progress reports throughout the project in a timely manner.
  • Adhere to clinical trial protocols:
  • Eligibility for inclusion
  • Patient randomisation
  • Ensure anonymity of clinical trial patients
  • Data collection and management
  • Entering data into Case Report Forms and on to databases
  • Patient monitoring
  • Study assessments
  • Reporting serious adverse events
  • Participate in meetings with other centres involved in the clinical trial and attend investigator meetings.
  • Identify strategies for recruiting patient into clinical research and provide long term follow up.

    • Planning and Organisational Skills

  • Working with the ACORN II research group, develop, integrate, plan, and provide resources to support and develop the clinical trial.
  • Manage recruitment and follow-up within the site for the trial.

    • Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

  • Select and recruit participants according to inclusion / exclusion criteria which are study/trial specific by reviewing information, attending clinics and other clinical areas and taking an active role within the multi disciplinary team
  • Safeguard the autonomy and integrity of participants by giving sufficient information to assist in the informed consent procedure
  • Conduct assessments, trial procedures and documentation in strict compliance with the protocol and Trust policy and interpret these results to assess care needs.
  • Refer patients to other health care professionals as appropriate.
  • Maintain the necessary competency skills in order to comply with protocol requirements
  • Support research participants in making informed treatment choices by providing specialist knowledge in relation to the disease process, treatment options and treatment side effects
  • Undertake care in a manner that is consistent with:
  • Legislation, policies, procedures
  • Patient centred care
  • Compliance with the local delivery of infection control practice
  • An environment that is fit for purpose in delivering safe and effective patient care
  • Individual privacy and dignity
  • Conduct of care
  • Scope of Professional Practice
  • Multidisciplinary Team Working
  • Maintain an awareness of current advances in mental health care, treatment and research practice

    • Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

  • Clinical Trial Running
  • Support local Principal Investigators and research teams in meeting their responsibilities outlined in the Research Governance Framework regulations and ISO and GCP
  • Provide advice and guidance in Investigator Site File maintenance and CRF completion
  • Support PIs to ensure all Adverse Events are reported in line with the DPT Adverse Events Reporting policy
  • Where appropriate, liaise with the trial research team in identifying any blockages that come about during the running of the trial
  • Lead the study team/sites in finding solutions to any blockages that come about during the running of the trial
  • Support the study team in ensuring all reporting to regulatory bodies and Research Networks (if applicable) is done in a timely manner
  • Prepare, review and approve any amendments made to the trial documentation
  • Expand own knowledge of practice through learning about current clinical and medical developments and research in dementia, mental health and social care, seeking to develop new skills
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research methodology, design and apply evidence-based research findings to professional practice.
  • Participate in writing, updating and implementing policies, protocols and guidelines for the Trust.
  • Adhere to the IHC guidelines for GCP, regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clinical research and related activities
  • Ensure the accuracy, completeness, legibility and timeliness of data recorded in all study related reports
  • Maintain participants safety by reporting adverse events according to regulatory and protocol requirements.
  • Ensure study documentation is maintained and complete

    • Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

  • Assist in establishing and implementing mechanisms and guidelines to enable tracking of research costs.

    • Responsibility for Human Resources, Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

  • Recognise the value of skilled open communication in the development of healthcare professional-patient relationships and with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Provide information and support to patients and their families, involved in research / clinical trials
  • Ensure data is available to consultants, researchers and sponsor companies for audit, quality assurance and analysis
  • Provide information to allow for the raising of invoices relating to trials where appropriate
  • Assist in the review of resource implications for the research sites.
  • Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for clinical trial patients and their carers
  • Ensure that Health and Safety requirements are met in the Department
  • Liaise with clinical teams to maintain seamless care
  • Take a proactive role in the NIHR Clinical Research Network: mental health, and liaise with the Research Network managers and colleagues throughout the network to work towards network aims and objectives and contribute information
  • Maintain effective communication channels between the team
  • Actively seek patient/carer feedback
  • Work without supervision and adhere to Clinical Governance initiatives, appropriate code of professional conduct and Trust policies
  • Undertake line management/supervision of junior staff members.

    • Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

  • Keep clear, concise records in terms of patient documentation and data collection.
  • Ensure that screening and recruitment data is kept up to date
  • Ensure timely and complete Case Report Form data entry and response to data queries
  • Participate in research meetings and ensure accurate information is fed to the Clinical Research teams
  • Be responsible for the timely and accurate creation maintenance and storage of records in accordance with Trust policy, including email documents and with regard to the Data protection Act, the Freedom or Information Act and any other statut0ry requirements.

    • Any Other Specific Tasks Required

  • Undertake annual appraisal to identify personal and professional objectives and development needs
  • Maintain own mandatory training and role specific training as necessary
  • Comply with Trust policies and procedures, observe health and safety and fire regulations and report all hazards to appropriate departments
    • Person Specification

    Qualifications

    Essential

  • Qualification in health, science or social care, degree in Psychology, Nursing, Health, Medical Science, or other relevant subject Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject

    • Desirable

  • Experience of working in mental health
  • Current ICH-GCP Certificate Informed Consent Training

    • Analytical and Judgement

    Essential

  • Understanding role of service users/carers
  • Resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical skills to analyse and present data
  • Ability to work in a blended manner, ie.. remote working
  • Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team

    • Planning and Organisational Skills

    Essential

  • Understanding role of service users/carers
  • Resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical skills to analyse and present data
  • Ability to work independently when needed and time manage effectively

    • Experience

    Essential

  • Conversant with DoH Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care, ICH GCP and the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Amended Regulations 2006
  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Thorough knowledge and ability to evaluate the significance of research
  • Knowledge of databases, including data collection, entry and analysis
  • Knowledge of theoretical models and treatments used in perinatal mental health, including medications
  • Knowledge and understanding of recruitment approaches for different population groups

    • Desirable

  • Research methodology training
  • Higher degree/formal study of research design/methodology in clinical or social care setting
  • Knowledge and understanding or perinatal mental health
  • Knowledge and experience of psychological assessments and administering measures
  • Post qualification experience of working with patients and their carers within mental health
  • Experience in the conduct of clinical trials
  • Experience recruiting vulnerable patients
  • Experience recruiting diverse populations
  • Experience of prospective/longitudinal studies retaining participants

    • Other

    Essential

  • Regular, reliable method of transport and mobility throughout the area - Demonstrates evidence of Trust values
  • Disclosure and barring Service check is satisfactory to the Trust
  • Occupational health clearance satisfactory to the Trust

    • Communication Skills

    Essential

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, across diverse audiences.
  • Good presentation skills both in person and virtually
  • Good computer literacy including email and internet and components of Microsoft package ( Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
  • Non-judgemental approach
  • Ability to work across organisational boundaries in a collegial, collaborative manner
  • Ability to work within a research team
  • Ability to work independently and liaise with managers remotely