Clinical Research Assistant / Clinical Research Practitioner

Oxford Health NHS Trust

The closing date is 11 May 2025

Job summary

The Mental Health Research Delivery Team are delighted to offer the exciting position of Clinical Research Assistant (CRA) in the North and West Oxon Adult Mental Health Team (AMHT) based at the Elms Centre, Banbury.

This is a full time (37.5 hours per week) fixed-term role until 31st March 2026, with the possibility to extend further subject to funding.

The focus of this role is to support the recruitment and delivery of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolio studies for patients and staff within the North and West Oxon AMHT and across the mental health specialty at Oxford Health.

You'll join a team of CRAs in the Mental Health Research Delivery Team, each of whom are embedded within Mental Health clinical teams across Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

If you have a background in clinical research and a passion for improving treatment for mental illnesses, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

Recruit patients and staff within the North and West Oxon AMHT into a broad portfolio of mental health research studies. Clinical Research Assistants work across a range of studies providing support with recruitment, study delivery and set up.
Support and complete research activities: undertake informed consent, randomisation, treatment allocation, cognitive assessments, and venepuncture as stipulated in the trial protocol.
Develop strong working relationships with consultants and care coordinators to facilitate collaborative working and enable the identification of eligible service users and staff.

Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

01 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum | pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-CS7149225

Job locations

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Knowledge Requirements

Essential

Knowledge in the field of mental health
Knowledge of the research life cycle
Understanding of the regulations governing research in the UK

Desirable

Awareness of relevant obligatory regulations and legal requirements such as the Mental Capacity and Data Protection Act

Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional

Essential

Educated to degree level in life sciences field

Desirable

Demonstrate evidence of postgraduate training
Care Certificate
Clinical Research Practitioner Registration

Further Training or Job Related Aptitude and Skills

Essential

Good time management and organisational skills
Well-developed IT skills
Attention to detail and ability to collect accurate data

Desirable

Willing to undertake training for clinical competencies e.g. venepuncture

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties within the NHS
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment

Desirable

Previous experience in clinical research

Personal Qualities

Essential

Excellent communication skills, written and oral
Flexible
Proven ability to work confidently under limited supervision
Strong desire and self-motivation to learn and develop

Desirable

Interest in developing personal skills in mental health research

Contractual Requirements or other requirements

Essential

Ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post, including travel across OHFT
Access to a car or alternative means of travel for business use
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Person Specification

Knowledge Requirements

Essential

Knowledge in the field of mental health
Knowledge of the research life cycle
Understanding of the regulations governing research in the UK

Desirable

Awareness of relevant obligatory regulations and legal requirements such as the Mental Capacity and Data Protection Act

Qualifications - Academic/Skills/Professional

Essential

Educated to degree level in life sciences field

Desirable

Demonstrate evidence of postgraduate training
Care Certificate
Clinical Research Practitioner Registration

Further Training or Job Related Aptitude and Skills

Essential

Good time management and organisational skills
Well-developed IT skills
Attention to detail and ability to collect accurate data

Desirable

Willing to undertake training for clinical competencies e.g. venepuncture

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties within the NHS
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment

Desirable

Previous experience in clinical research

Personal Qualities

Essential

Excellent communication skills, written and oral
Flexible
Proven ability to work confidently under limited supervision
Strong desire and self-motivation to learn and develop

Desirable

Interest in developing personal skills in mental health research

Contractual Requirements or other requirements

Essential

Ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post, including travel across OHFT
Access to a car or alternative means of travel for business use
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

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.