We are looking for an enthusiastic research assistant working alongside the regional multi-disciplinary teams in a new pilot pathway in CYPMH Eating Disorder Intensive Day Virtual Service. The post holder will have the opportunity to be part of the implementation and developing the knowledge of a new model of care in the East of England region.

Main duties of the job

The main responsibilities are to work as a research assistant for the Regional CYPMH Eating Disorders Intensive Day and Virtual Services.This project is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of providing intensive support for young people with a severe eating disorder or disordered eating, who are at risk of needing inpatient admission.The post holder will assist in designing the evaluation process and will collect data and contribute to coordinating aspects of the research project. This will involve close liaison with the clinical teams and with the lead clinician leading on the services.This job description is an outline only and does not contain an exhaustive list of duties the post holder may therefore be required to undertake additional responsibilities. This JD may therefore be amended following discussion with the post holder.The post requires degree-level scientific knowledge and excellent communication skills in order to conduct specialist research and potentially present it both to specialists and to lay people. It will also demand empathy towards service user or parent/carer anxieties about the treatment and confidentiality implications of participation in research. The post holder may be required to be sensitive to challenging team dynamics and conflicting professional perspectives.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout.

Our Trust values are:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Job Responsibilities:
  
  To ensure the research design meets the needs of the evaluation and shows whether the project is effective and value for money
  
  To be responsible for ensuring patients treatments, assessment, follow- ups and data collection are co-ordinate
  
  To work to maintain service user and parent/carer confidentiality
  
  To maintain close liaison with relevant clinical and research staff
  
  To collect research data as appropriate
  
  To maintain and ensure that data associated with research projects is kept secure
  
  To ensure data collected meets the requirements of the research and evaluation
  
  The post-holder may be exposed to emotional situations on an occasional basis, for example hearing about life stories of service users and families in order to engage and encourage participation in research
  
  The post holder will manage their own work-load and timetable, with routine supervision
  
  They will travel to locations where it is agreed that in- person attendance is required
  
  Duties and Responsibilities:
  
  Duties are likely to involve some or all of the following :
  
  Recruitment
  
  To attend multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings to aid identification of any service users needed for particular evaluation. To present research protocols to the team to encourage participation.
  
  To identify tasks to ensure the evaluation is effective. To assist clinicians to obtain informed consent from participants if necessary
  
  To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants and their parents/carers for the duration of their involvement in the research project and to assist participants with the completion of questionnaires as necessary
  
  To undertake video calls to aid service users if necessary
  
  To carry out assessment of individual participants according to the research /evaluation demands
  
  To assist in preparing protocols and manuals for the evaluation
  
  To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines
  
  Other
  
  To attend meetings as required
  
  To attend virtual meetings across the east of England
  
  To undertake assessments and follow-up when necessary
  
  To complete interviews with participants, families and other stakeholders as required
  
  To maintain a working knowledge of relevant mental health practice and to disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc to personnel as required
  
  To assist with the creation and delivery of relevant evaluation related protocols and procedures
  
  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
  
  Education and Development
  
  To keep up to date with relevant training and develop skills and knowledge by maintaining a programme of development
  
  To participate positively in regular supervision and annual appraisal
  
  To complete Good Clinical Practice Training.
  
  Working Relationships and Communication Requirements of the Job
  
  To liaise with research and academic staff, the wider Trust personnel, clinical staff, and external contacts as necessary
  
  To maintain a position of integrity, appreciating the need for confidentiality when dealing with staff and issues appertaining to this post
  
  To demonstrate and use excellent communication skills
  
  Communication requirements
  
  To liaise with research and academic staff, the wider Trust personnel, clinical staff, and external contacts, including patients and participants using email, telephone, personal contact, written letters, notes, memos etc.
  
  To demonstrate and use excellent communication skills
  
  Clinical Responsibility
  
  The postholder will be responsible for understanding the clinical presentation of someone with a severe eating disorder / disordered eating, learning disability and autism, and mental health conditions in children and young people.
  
  Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
  
  The postholder may be required to supervise some undergraduates who may be volunteering or working within the department.
  
  Financial responsibility
  
  The postholder will be responsible for minimising the financial impact of this evaluation
  
  Service Development and Improvement
  
  The postholder will be needed to make a contribution to the development of clinical interventions as directed by the Clinical Lead or Consultant Psychiatrist.
  
  Analytical and Judgemental Skills
  
  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 and/or parent/carer recruitment on appropriate systems, when required
  
  To provide information / reports on recruitment when requested
  
  The postholder should be familiar with data processing packages such as PASW
  
  For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Psychology Degree (Hons, 2.1 or above) or equivalent degree in a related discipline

Desirable

• Higher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD)
• Experience of working on funded clinical trials
• Experience of gaining informed consent from those who volunteer to take part in research
• Understanding of research methodologies including experimental and qualitative research methodologies

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Experience of working with people with mental health problems
• Working within mental health care services and nonstatutory services/voluntary agencies.
• Ability to analyse complex statistical data using various analysis programs SPSS and Excel
• A good level of keyboard skills gained from experience or training

Desirable

• Experience of working with those who have a history of PTSD/Trauma
• Experience of working with people with neurodevelopmental disabilities

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

• Able to communicate effectively within the multidisciplinary team environment.
• The ability to communicate complex and sensitive material regarding clients of the team, effectively in team meetings (10+ people).

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential

• Ability to analyse complex statistical data using various analysis programs SPSS and Exce

Desirable

• Experience of managing data within clinical trials, including the completion and management of trialspecific Clinical Record Forms.

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

CAMHS Community Eating Disorder 15 Forest Lane, Kingsley Green Radlett WD7 9HQ

15 Forest Lane, Kingsley Green

Radlett

WD7 9HQ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

367-CYP-8517