Job summary This exciting post is to work as a Research Assistant as part of the ChUSE (children and young people withunusualsensoryexperiences) trial, an innovative feasibility clinical trial funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) that aims to examine the potential benefits of a brief therapeutic intervention for children with distressing sensory experiences (e.g., hearing voices, seeing visions) and a linked parent support programme. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive the ChUSE intervention or Treatment as Usual. The ChUSE trial is one of the first brief interventions designed for children with distressing sensory experiences in CAMHS and the only trial to date to offer dedicated parent support. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic researcher to join an experienced research team and NIHR-funded study of new psychological interventions. The study aims to contribute to the development of a much-needed evidence base that will inform future treatment delivery for children with distressing sensory experiences in CAMHS. Main duties of the job The post-holder will be based within the Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit (C-TRU), a collaborative research unit between Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester led by Professor Filippo Varese. Our goal is to conduct high-quality and cutting-edge research to improve the recovery, resilience and wellbeing of people who are at-risk of or have already developed complex mental health issues. The post-holder will also be affiliated to the Young People's Mental Health Research Centre of Pennine Care and will receive clinical training and supervision from the Centre Research Lead and CI for the ChUSE Trial, Sarah Parry. As such, the post-holder will join a dynamic and lively clinical research community, including experienced research staff, clinical psychologists and other qualified psychological practitioners working in research and innovation settings (e.g. as therapists in our clinical trials), doctoral students (ClinPsyD and PhD students working on our research projects) and other research assistants working across a wide range of projects and clinical trials. About us This is an exciting opportunity to join our research team at the Complex Trauma & Resilience Research Unit (C-TRU), a collaborative research unit between Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester. GMMH employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations. We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond. Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options. Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity. Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users. Date posted 08 November 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year Per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 437-6763090 Job locations Complex Trauma & Resilience Research Unit Building B, Central Park, Northampton Rd Manchester M40 5BP Job description Job responsibilities The post holder will play a key role in the successful delivery of the ChUSE trial, being responsible for the day-to-day liaison with NHS CAMHS services in the Greater Manchester region to identify prospective participants, the administration of trial assessments and interviews with young people and parents/caregivers, and general support to the meetings of our research team and the timely execution of research procedures to ensure that the trial will be completed successfully and efficiently. The post-holder will also play an important role in supporting the extensive Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement (PPIE) of our study, to ensure the trial will be truly grounded on the values, priorities and preferences of the people we want to support with our research. As such, experience of working with children, young people and families will be an important asset for the post-holder. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is also extremely important to ensure that the ChUSE trial will meet the needs of the diverse communities who live in Greater Manchester, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and/or those who have experience of EDI and other inclusive work. The post-holder will receive line management support from Professor Filippo Varese (Director of C-TRU and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester) in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH). The post-holder will also receive additional training and clinical supervision from other clinically qualified senior staff within the ChUSE trial, in particular Dr Sarah Parry (the Chief Investigator of the ChUSE trial). The post will be initially based at The Rawnsley Building (Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL), but in 2025 the official base will be moved to a different GMMH Research and Innovation site in Greater Manchester (Central Park). The post will involve extensive travel within the Greater Manchester area, and the ability to undertake regular travel across the Greater Manchester footprint will be essential to the role. Please see attached job description and person specification Staff benefits Pay Enhancements: Band Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8pm and before 6am All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight) 1 Time plus 47% Time plus 94% 2 Time plus 41% Time plus 83% 3 Time plus 35% Time plus 69% 4 9 Time plus 30% Time plus 60% 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years Excellent pension Cycle to work scheme Salary sacrifice car scheme Wellbeing programme Blue Light Card Discounts fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles) Job description Job responsibilities The post holder will play a key role in the successful delivery of the ChUSE trial, being responsible for the day-to-day liaison with NHS CAMHS services in the Greater Manchester region to identify prospective participants, the administration of trial assessments and interviews with young people and parents/caregivers, and general support to the meetings of our research team and the timely execution of research procedures to ensure that the trial will be completed successfully and efficiently. The post-holder will also play an important role in supporting the extensive Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement (PPIE) of our study, to ensure the trial will be truly grounded on the values, priorities and preferences of the people we want to support with our research. As such, experience of working with children, young people and families will be an important asset for the post-holder. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is also extremely important to ensure that the ChUSE trial will meet the needs of the diverse communities who live in Greater Manchester, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and/or those who have experience of EDI and other inclusive work. The post-holder will receive line management support from Professor Filippo Varese (Director of C-TRU and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester) in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH). The post-holder will also receive additional training and clinical supervision from other clinically qualified senior staff within the ChUSE trial, in particular Dr Sarah Parry (the Chief Investigator of the ChUSE trial). The post will be initially based at The Rawnsley Building (Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL), but in 2025 the official base will be moved to a different GMMH Research and Innovation site in Greater Manchester (Central Park). The post will involve extensive travel within the Greater Manchester area, and the ability to undertake regular travel across the Greater Manchester footprint will be essential to the role. Please see attached job description and person specification Staff benefits Pay Enhancements: Band Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8pm and before 6am All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight) 1 Time plus 47% Time plus 94% 2 Time plus 41% Time plus 83% 3 Time plus 35% Time plus 69% 4 9 Time plus 30% Time plus 60% 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years Excellent pension Cycle to work scheme Salary sacrifice car scheme Wellbeing programme Blue Light Card Discounts fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles) Person Specification Qualifications Essential 2.1 (Hons) or above achieved in Undergraduate Psychology degree Desirable MRes or other relevant Masters Eligible for BPS membership Experience Essential Experience of conducting research Desirable Have experience as a research assistant Experience of working with children, young people and families Experience in public involvement and experience (PPIE) Experience of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) Knowledge Essential Knowledge of research methods, including, data collection and analysis Knowledge of research design Good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable people Desirable Knowledge regarding psychological approaches to severe mental illness Knowledge of research ethics and governance procedures Knowledge of managing risk in CAMHS Skills and abilities Essential Ability to conduct literature searches Ability to work to professional and research guidelines Ability to work towards agreed goals, reviewed regularly in supervision Ability to meet tight deadlines Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis and use own initiative Ability to work collaboratively as a team player and liaise with a variety of other personnel within health and social services and with community members Excellent keyboard skills and skills in using word-processing, e-mail, internet software, spreadsheets, and databases Good presentation skills in both formal and informal settings Excellent interpersonal skills Demonstrable integrity in research Other requirements Essential Ability to demonstrate an interest in and enthusiasm for working with people with severe mental illness To be able to communicate effectively with service users, relatives, carers, community members and a range of professionals and non-academics (verbally and in writing) Ability to undertake regular travel across the Greater Manchester footprint Person Specification Qualifications Essential 2.1 (Hons) or above achieved in Undergraduate Psychology degree Desirable MRes or other relevant Masters Eligible for BPS membership Experience Essential Experience of conducting research Desirable Have experience as a research assistant Experience of working with children, young people and families Experience in public involvement and experience (PPIE) Experience of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) Knowledge Essential Knowledge of research methods, including, data collection and analysis Knowledge of research design Good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable people Desirable Knowledge regarding psychological approaches to severe mental illness Knowledge of research ethics and governance procedures Knowledge of managing risk in CAMHS Skills and abilities Essential Ability to conduct literature searches Ability to work to professional and research guidelines Ability to work towards agreed goals, reviewed regularly in supervision Ability to meet tight deadlines Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis and use own initiative Ability to work collaboratively as a team player and liaise with a variety of other personnel within health and social services and with community members Excellent keyboard skills and skills in using word-processing, e-mail, internet software, spreadsheets, and databases Good presentation skills in both formal and informal settings Excellent interpersonal skills Demonstrable integrity in research Other requirements Essential Ability to demonstrate an interest in and enthusiasm for working with people with severe mental illness To be able to communicate effectively with service users, relatives, carers, community members and a range of professionals and non-academics (verbally and in writing) Ability to undertake regular travel across the Greater Manchester footprint 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 Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT Address Complex Trauma & Resilience Research Unit Building B, Central Park, Northampton Rd Manchester M40 5BP Employer's website https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)