Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to be a Research Assistant on a multicentre randomised controlled NIHR funded clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of stimulant versus nonstimulant ADHD medication in children and young people who are experiencing both attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and tics: "SATURN" (Stimulant medication for ADHD and Tics - Understanding Response versus Non-stimulants).
This post is based at the Service for Complex Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (SCAAND) Neuropsychiatry Team, a National & Specialist CAMHS within South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Trust. This multicentre study is led by Professor Chris Hollis at the University of Nottingham.
Under the supervision of the Southern Hub leads, Dr Nicoletta Adamo and Dr Elaine Chung, and in close collaboration with the study's Trial Manager at Nottingham University, the post-holder will be vital in the successful recruitment and assessment of participants.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who wishes to have a career in mental health / research. There is also the possibility of gaining some additional clinical experience with the clinical team. This post has arisen as the previous post holder has successfully in obtained a place on DClin Psych training.
This is a fixed-term contract until November 2025, with the possibility of subsequent extension. The post is full-time but we will consider candidates who wish to work part-time or job-share.
Main duties of the job
Identification, recruitment and consent of research participants
Conduct clinical assessments and outcome measures (including an interview measure of tics the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), in which specific training will be given)
Follow up participants.
Data collection and entry in accordance with data protection guidelines and relevant SOPs
Coordinate local site activities and report site performance back to the NCTU as needed.
Advertising the study and liaising with participants' clinicians
To undertake the necessary administration and organisation in relation to the implementation of the project and ensure the successful conduct and completion of the project.
About us
Maudsley Hospital (headquarters)
Our Trust headquarters is located at Denmark Hill less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2) and is within walking distance from the beautiful green spaces of Ruskin Park and the vibrant high-street that offers great shopping opportunities and with a wide range of restaurants.
Flexible working:
As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk about flexible working at the interview stage. This is a Monday to Friday 9-5 post, but with the option for a combination of blended on site and remote working and flexible hours. The post is full-time but we will consider candidates who wish to work part-time or job-share. (This may include working early mornings, later evenings or Saturdays as part of the core working hours/working pattern for this post)
Job description
Job responsibilities
One of the core responsibilities of the role is to identify and recruit participants to the SATURN trial, under the direction of their line manager and the SATURN trial team. This will involve meeting with clinicians, community mental health teams, primary care staff and service users to promote recruitment to the project.
Other key accountabilities of the role
Carrying out trial assessments of participants face-to-face or by telephone/video conference under the direction of the Chief Investigator, Principal Investigator, Hub Lead and Trial Manager.
Ensuring treatments, assessment, follow-ups and data collection is coordinated and processed according to protocol-defined timelines.
Taking responsibility for local site coordination including maintenance of the site file and reporting site performance back to the clinical trials unit.
Supporting site study set-up including assisting with preparation of local documentation and approvals, attending training and cascading of training.
Providing on-going information and support for patients involved in the trial.
Entering data collected onto a project database according to the study protocol and in keeping with the Data Protection Act and prepare written reports of activity as required.
Recording and reporting adverse events/serious adverse events.
Job description
Job responsibilities
One of the core responsibilities of the role is to identify and recruit participants to the SATURN trial, under the direction of their line manager and the SATURN trial team. This will involve meeting with clinicians, community mental health teams, primary care staff and service users to promote recruitment to the project.
Other key accountabilities of the role
Carrying out trial assessments of participants face-to-face or by telephone/video conference under the direction of the Chief Investigator, Principal Investigator, Hub Lead and Trial Manager.
Ensuring treatments, assessment, follow-ups and data collection is coordinated and processed according to protocol-defined timelines.
Taking responsibility for local site coordination including maintenance of the site file and reporting site performance back to the clinical trials unit.
Supporting site study set-up including assisting with preparation of local documentation and approvals, attending training and cascading of training.
Providing on-going information and support for patients involved in the trial.
Entering data collected onto a project database according to the study protocol and in keeping with the Data Protection Act and prepare written reports of activity as required.
Recording and reporting adverse events/serious adverse events.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A First-class or Upper-second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant undergraduate programme (e.g., Psychology, Health or Social science) (A)
Desirable
- Relevant further degree (e.g. MSc) (A)
- Good Clinical Practice training (A)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of interviewing research participants (A/I)
- Experience conducting research at a clinical interface, or within a randomised controlled trial (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of performing clinical diagnostic assessments (A/I)
- Demonstrable evidence of working to study recruitment targets (A/I)
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team (A/I)
- Experience of Data Management (A/I)
Understanding and Knowledge
Essential
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to convey goals of research to lay people. (A/I)
- Ability to deal sensitively with study. participants and their families / carers (A/I)
- An understanding of data protection and patient confidentiality (A/I)
- An awareness of ethical and Research Governance guidelines (A/I)
- A high level of organisational skills (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders or working in CAMHS/Paediatric services (A/I)
- Experience of database development and management (A/I)
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to create good working relationships with participants and support effective data gathering. through interviews (A/I)
- Ability to manage own responsibilities. and administrative activities independently whilst seeking senior support when necessary (A/I)
- Ability to balance competing priorities. under pressure of deadlines and workloads (A/I)
- A pragmatic and diplomatic approach to problem solving (A/I)
Desirable
- A commitment to a career in mental health or research (A/I)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A First-class or Upper-second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant undergraduate programme (e.g., Psychology, Health or Social science) (A)
Desirable
- Relevant further degree (e.g. MSc) (A)
- Good Clinical Practice training (A)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of interviewing research participants (A/I)
- Experience conducting research at a clinical interface, or within a randomised controlled trial (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of performing clinical diagnostic assessments (A/I)
- Demonstrable evidence of working to study recruitment targets (A/I)
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team (A/I)
- Experience of Data Management (A/I)
Understanding and Knowledge
Essential
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to convey goals of research to lay people. (A/I)
- Ability to deal sensitively with study. participants and their families / carers (A/I)
- An understanding of data protection and patient confidentiality (A/I)
- An awareness of ethical and Research Governance guidelines (A/I)
- A high level of organisational skills (A/I)
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders or working in CAMHS/Paediatric services (A/I)
- Experience of database development and management (A/I)
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to create good working relationships with participants and support effective data gathering. through interviews (A/I)
- Ability to manage own responsibilities. and administrative activities independently whilst seeking senior support when necessary (A/I)
- Ability to balance competing priorities. under pressure of deadlines and workloads (A/I)
- A pragmatic and diplomatic approach to problem solving (A/I)
Desirable
- A commitment to a career in mental health or research (A/I)
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.
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.
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).
