Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Research and Development (R&D) team for a Clinical Studies Assistant (CSA) post to support, deliver, and drive forward research in the Trust. Band 4 - £26,530-£29,114 per annum - full time, 37.5 hours per week. Offered on a fixed-term / secondment basis until 31 March 2026. You will be based with the R&D team on a home and remote working basis, and will work closely with various clinical teams across the Trust, providing dedicated research support. As part of the role, you will support mental health research across many specialities; Adult/Older People's Mental Health, Learning Disability, Children and Young People, Dementia and Neuropsychiatry. Good Clinical Practice and study-specific training will be offered as part of the role. Main duties of the job This post is crucial to ensuring the efficient delivery of research activities involving Trust staff, service users, and carers. The post will include research recruitment, coordination, and delivery of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portfolio studies and clinical trials (local, national, and international), as required. The role will enable you to become involved in different types of studies, including genetic studies, questionnaires, and interventional and randomised controlled trials. About us As a Trust we remain bold and ambitious with plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care. We pride ourselves onensuring our team has their wellbeing put first and as such provide a range of wellness opportunities including flexible working. We are committed to the Greener NHS national ambition to becoming the world's first 'carbon net zero' national health system by 2045 (Greener NHS (england.nhs.uk). As part of this, sustainability is embedded in our strategy as one of our four key enablers. In order to deliver on this commitment, we recognise that we need a workforce that is as passionate as we are about achieving these goals, for the benefit of our service users, workforce, local communities and the planet alike. For 2024/2025, we have launched our "Proud to be Green" engagement campaign which is aligned to the targets set out in our Green Plan. As a Trust, you can be assured that we will commit to supporting you in working towards our net zero ambitions, set out in our Green Plan, through our sustainability programme". The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from global majority backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities. Date posted 01 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 10 months Working pattern Full-time, Home or remote working Reference number 232-COR-7072305 Job locations Harplands Hospital Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6TH Job description Job responsibilities This exciting role will help develop and increase opportunities for service users, carers, and staff to participate in research. The post will ensure that all research activities involving Trust staff, services, and data are fully compliant with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research EU Clinical Trials Directive and Information Governance. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to ( full Job Description and Person Specification available ): Support delivery and coordination of NIHR & commercially adopted studies across the Trust; Identify and recruit potential participants for NIHR & commercially adopted studies according to specific protocols and guidelines; Read, interpret and contribute to the implementation of research and trial protocols under the guidance and supervision of study teams, senior staff and Principal Investigators; Performing Phlebotomy tasks, including the collection of saliva samples; Communicate and maintain relationships with internal or external persons or services in a professional manner that positively promotes the service of the R&D and Trust generally; Support and assist consultants, clinicians, and nursing and allied health professional staff across the Trust in the safe implementation of research and trial protocols and delegated tasks; Supports planning and organisation of research and innovation events. Job description Job responsibilities This exciting role will help develop and increase opportunities for service users, carers, and staff to participate in research. The post will ensure that all research activities involving Trust staff, services, and data are fully compliant with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research EU Clinical Trials Directive and Information Governance. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to ( full Job Description and Person Specification available ): Support delivery and coordination of NIHR & commercially adopted studies across the Trust; Identify and recruit potential participants for NIHR & commercially adopted studies according to specific protocols and guidelines; Read, interpret and contribute to the implementation of research and trial protocols under the guidance and supervision of study teams, senior staff and Principal Investigators; Performing Phlebotomy tasks, including the collection of saliva samples; Communicate and maintain relationships with internal or external persons or services in a professional manner that positively promotes the service of the R&D and Trust generally; Support and assist consultants, clinicians, and nursing and allied health professional staff across the Trust in the safe implementation of research and trial protocols and delegated tasks; Supports planning and organisation of research and innovation events. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Diploma in Health and Social Care (NVQ Level 3), plus additional relevant healthcare and / or research training to diploma level (or equivalent) or relevant healthcare and / or research short courses Desirable Mental Health Certificate Experience Essential Research, audit or evaluation experience Experience of working in a relevant health or social care setting Desirable Experience of working in an NHS mental health research setting Experience of working in an NHS setting with mental health service user contact Knowledge Essential Phlebotomy training Competence in using standard PC software packages (Powerpoint, Word, Excel, email); Desirable Completion of Good Practice Training Person Specification Qualifications Essential Diploma in Health and Social Care (NVQ Level 3), plus additional relevant healthcare and / or research training to diploma level (or equivalent) or relevant healthcare and / or research short courses Desirable Mental Health Certificate Experience Essential Research, audit or evaluation experience Experience of working in a relevant health or social care setting Desirable Experience of working in an NHS mental health research setting Experience of working in an NHS setting with mental health service user contact Knowledge Essential Phlebotomy training Competence in using standard PC software packages (Powerpoint, Word, Excel, email); Desirable Completion of Good Practice Training Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust Address Harplands Hospital Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6TH Employer's website https://www.combined.nhs.uk/working-together/join-our-team/ (Opens in a new tab)