Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the research team based in the Research Development Unit, Distington House. The Research Nurse will work under the supervision of the Research Delivery Team Manager as part of a team managing and co-ordinating a range of clinical research projects including commercial research.
You should be enthusiastic, dynamic, have a willingness to learn new skills and a genuine interest in research, research development and evidenced based practice.
You will need specialist knowledge in mental health and an understanding of research methodologies. Clinical research skills and additional research training are desirable though training will be provided.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to:
1. Take the lead on the set up and delivery of Mental Health Studies, recruiting to time and target, site file management and monitoring visits
2. To provide information and education on research projects to interested parties, in verbal and written format and presentations
3. To actively promote Mental Health studies and raise awareness of RDU initiatives by attending trust wide forums and conferences
4. Assess the suitability of patients to take part in clinical trials and other high quality studies
5. Provide patients taking part in studies with specialist information regarding their participation
6. Provide high standards and continuity of care for participants during the research study
7. Work as part of a team to co-ordinate and manage research within expected timelines
8. Participate in the process of initial and on-going informed consent for the research participant prior to carrying out procedures and treatments as agreed within the protocols
9. Liaise closely with the principal investigator/research team and other services involved in the delivery of research studies
Working for our organisation
We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.
What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.
It’s important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of
If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.
We are all very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Job Purpose
The Mental Health Research Nurse (RN) will work in Sheffield, to support and facilitate the development of mental health research. The successful applicant will be based in SHSC Research Development Unit (RDU) and work with Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Research Network (CRN) staff and staff in NHS Trusts to enable the uptake of new studies and support researchers ensuring that NIHR CRN portfolio and commercial studies successfully recruit participants to time and target. The RN will support local mental health researchers and clinicians to plan, submit and obtain funding for research that is eligible for adoption on the NIHR CRN portfolio.
The post holder will be employed by Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
10. To take the lead on completing the feasibility assessments of potential new studies in the trust. To lead on the site set up and delivery of Mental Health Studies, recruiting to time and target, site file management and sponsor monitoring visits. To identify participants to NIHR CRN portfolio/commercial studies according to specific protocols and guidelines and assist clinicians to obtain informed consent from those participants. To build awareness of Mental Health Studies running in Trusts across Yorkshire and Humber (and nationally, where possible) and consider whether these studies could be opened in other sites. To attend multidisciplinary team meetings regularly to aid identification of appropriate services for recruitment of participants to MHRN and commercial studies. To present research protocols to multi-disciplinary groups to encourage participation. To actively promote Mental Health studies and raise awareness of RDU initiatives by attending trust wide forums and conferences. To liaise closely with the principal investigator/research team and other services involved in the delivery of research studies. To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants and their carers for the duration of their involvement in the research project and to assist participants with the completion of questionnaires and interviews, as necessary. To undertake home visits when necessary to engage with and recruit service users to research projects. Coordinate assessment and follow-up as necessary in accordance with research protocol. To assist the RDU and Research Manager to monitor patient recruitment. Identify areas of low patient recruitment and liaise with RDU and Research Delivery Manager to identify mechanism for improving. To ensure that any data collection is conducted according to specific research protocols and adheres to the Data Protection Act 1998 and according to Good Clinical Practice guidelines. To be responsible for the recording of patient recruitment and adverse events on the Data Entry System (EDGE). To provide information / reports on recruitment To attend project management group meetings for specific research projects which may, on occasion, involve travelling outside the region. To provide support for research projects to obtain approvals from Health Research Authority and NHS Ethics. To provide support for assessments and follow-up. To liaise with other Research Nurses (RN) and Clinical Studies Officers (CSO) across regional Mental Health Trusts to ensure the needs of the CRN and commercial sponsors are met. To maintain a working knowledge of relevant mental health practice and to disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc to personnel working on research projects. To provide information and education on research projects to interested parties, in verbal and written format as well as face to face and virtual presentations. To support and supervise band 5 research nurses and research assistants by completing regular supervision sessions and annual professional development reviews (PDR’s), monitoring periods of sickness and annual leave. To cover duties of other RNs/ CSOs when required. To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines. To undertake any other duties, which may be required from time to time, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and needs of the service. Undertake any research training that is a requirement for the post. To support and promote the Trusts Research Champions Network to increase engagement with clinicians and clinical services.
Person specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
11. •Specialist mental health knowledge and understanding of the mental health research agenda
12. •Understanding of NHS Research Management and Governance and NHS Ethics processes
13. •Understanding of the national and local health and social care environment
14. •Understanding of basic research skills and methodologies
15. •Experience of communicating complex information with service users and carers
16. •Experience of presenting to a range of audiences, face to face and virtual
Desirable criteria
17. •Understanding of GCP, HRA and ethical considerations
Training and Qualifications
Essential criteria
18. •RGN/RN Mental Health with current valid registration with the NMC (for Research Nurse only)
19. •Degree (or equivalent qualification) in a subject relevant to mental health research or mental health professional qualification
20. •Clinical Registration
Desirable criteria
21. •Good Clinical Practice
22. •Evidence of additional research training skills
23. •Clinical Measures and Phlebotomy trained
Experience
Essential criteria
24. •Experience of recruiting participants to research projects
25. •Experience of working independently and being part of a dispersed team
26. •Experience of working in a clinical research environment
Desirable criteria
27. •Experience of working on commercial research
28. •Experience of supervising staff within a clinical and or research environment
Other
Essential criteria
29. •Ability to manage and prioritise own workload
30. •Demonstrated ability to organise time and workload across projects and to work flexibly where the pattern of work is unpredictable
31. •Good communication skills, both verbal and written, including ability to use Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and Power point
32. •Ability to work on own initiative
33. •Advanced organisation skills
34. •Excellent inter-disciplinary/ interagency communication skills
35. •Excellent interpersonal skills
36. •Adaptable and self-motivated
37. •Proactive, self-directed learner
38. •Proven administrative skills
We aim to be an organisation that is diverse and inclusive and to meet this aim we welcome applications from people with a wide range of life experience and whose diversity echoes the diversity of Sheffield, that of the people who use our services, and that of the people who may need to use our services but face barriers to access. Please think about your personal values and how these align with our values when you are applying. Find out more about our organisation through our website.
We are a Disability Confident employer level 2 and hope to achieve level 3 this year. We offer a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who meet all of the essential criteria for a role. When you apply you will have the opportunity to let us know if you require adjustments to be made, please contact us if you are not sure or if you require adjustments to the application process itself.
Our six staff network groups welcome new members, these are:
39. The Ethnically Diverse Staff Network Group
40. The Disability Staff Network Group
41. The Lived Experience Staff Network Group
42. The Rainbow Staff Network Group
43. The Staff Carers Staff Network Group
44. The Women’s Staff Network Group
We know how important flexible working can be to applicants and therefore we encourage you to discuss any working arrangements as part of this process. We will always aim to accommodate requests, wherever possible.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children and as part of our safe recruitment practice the successful applicant(s) will be subject to a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if it is deemed appropriate for the role. The cost of the DBS check (currently up to £48.23) must be met by the successful applicant(s).