Job summary
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is a research active organisation and University Trust. As part of its new research strategy, it has organised 4 research streams, each with a Research Lead. The aim of each research stream is to promote research awareness amongst Trust staff, encourage multi-disciplinary research participation, support staff in research related activities like service evaluations, and work with other stake holders in setting up funded research projects. The neuro-developmental research stream will focus on people with an intellectual disability, ADHD, epilepsy, and autistic people who also have other mental health conditions.
The research assistant (RA) post-holder will be responsible for supporting the neurodevelopmental research stream clinical lead with the day to day running of the stream, network, and its projects. The post is advertised for 18 months fixed-term initially with the possibility of it being extended if successful.
Main duties of the job
This research assistant (RA) post-holder will be responsible for supporting the neurodevelopmental research stream clinical lead with the day to day running of the stream, network, and its projects. This will involve supporting a large portfolio of audit, service evaluation, quality improvement, research, and related projects. The post-holder will work closely with the RAs in the other research streams (adult, old-age, child & adolescent) and be part of the HPFT Research and Development department.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is a research active organisation and University Trust. As part of its new research strategy, it has organised 4 research streams, each with a Research Lead. The aim of each research stream is to promote research awareness amongst Trust staff, encourage multi-disciplinary research participation, support staff in research related activities like service evaluations, and work with other stake holders in setting up funded research projects. The neuro-developmental research stream will focus on people with an intellectual disability, ADHD, epilepsy, and autistic people who also have other mental health conditions.
For over three years now, HPFT has also hosted RADiANT (Research in Developmental Neuropsychiatry http://radiant.nhs.uk ) a network of NHS Trusts, academics, and experts by experience, the later including patients, service users, family members, carers and community leaders. RADiANT focuses on five conditions which are underpinned by neurodevelopmental issues- intellectual disability (ID), autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy and acquired brain injury (ABI). The neuro-developmental research stream at HPFT will be the home of RADiANT activities within HPFT.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Network Development
- Organise study meetings and events for the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream. Chair and minute where required.
- Preparation and delivery of presentations, reports and newsletters or meetings detailing the work of the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream, its initiatives and performance.
- Contribute to management of social media accounts for the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream.
Project Design, Delivery, Management and Dissemination
- Alongside the clinical lead, research lead and operational lead for research, assist in the delivery and management of the audit, service evaluation and research projects across the Trust as well as other participants in the RADiANT network. This might involve direct assistance, through data collection, analysis, or training of colleagues with study processes.
- Undertake data analysis, utilising qualitative and quantitative methodologies, using statistical approaches and software where appropriate.
- Ensure that projects are completed within specified timeframes and to a high-quality standard in line with agreed protocols.
- Contribute to the dissemination of completed projects in a variety of formats, to include writing research publications for submission to peer reviewed journals, writing updates for project stakeholders, developing content for social media accounts, and plain English / Easy Read summaries for patient / carer stakeholders as required, and the provision of verbal presentations for meetings / conferences.
- Identify quality improvement opportunities through analysis and understanding of data and information, reflection, and critical thinking.
- Work with the quality improvement department and multidisciplinary colleagues to establish quality improvement projects and deliver measurable improvement.
- Develop and deliver training packages to diverse groups of staff and stakeholders.
- Develop training packages for online training platforms.
Communication and Relationships
- Identify, establish, and maintain working relationships with the relevant stakeholders and partners e.g., Trust and regional R&D Directorates, commissioning bodies, patients, carers, the public and other relevant groups/individuals and provide a communication infrastructure for the neurodevelopmental research stream.
- Devise email newsletters, website, and social media content to update relevant stakeholders of the neurodevelopmental research stream.
- Identify, develop, and maintain effective collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders, to include clinicians, patients, carers, and organisations.
- Participate in communication, including preparation and delivery of presentations, reports and newsletters or meetings detailing the work of the neurodevelopmental research stream.
Governance Management
- Maintain a strong and current working knowledge of developments regarding clinical research, its regulation and governance, Good Clinical Practice, NHS functions and services to inform and guide the consortiums strategy and plans accordingly.
- Maintain a working knowledge of current legislation regarding Data Protection.
Continuous Professional Development
- Continually update knowledge and understanding of the clinical populations served by the neurodevelopmental research stream and RADiANT.
- Monitor developments in relevant services and pathways about audit, service evaluation and research.
- Monitor policy and legal developments regarding audit, service evaluation and research.
- Attend local and national events to remain up to date on field developments and promote the neurodevelopmental research stream.
Other
- The job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the post holder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Network Development
- Organise study meetings and events for the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream. Chair and minute where required.
- Preparation and delivery of presentations, reports and newsletters or meetings detailing the work of the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream, its initiatives and performance.
- Contribute to management of social media accounts for the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream.
Project Design, Delivery, Management and Dissemination
- Alongside the clinical lead, research lead and operational lead for research, assist in the delivery and management of the audit, service evaluation and research projects across the Trust as well as other participants in the RADiANT network. This might involve direct assistance, through data collection, analysis, or training of colleagues with study processes.
- Undertake data analysis, utilising qualitative and quantitative methodologies, using statistical approaches and software where appropriate.
- Ensure that projects are completed within specified timeframes and to a high-quality standard in line with agreed protocols.
- Contribute to the dissemination of completed projects in a variety of formats, to include writing research publications for submission to peer reviewed journals, writing updates for project stakeholders, developing content for social media accounts, and plain English / Easy Read summaries for patient / carer stakeholders as required, and the provision of verbal presentations for meetings / conferences.
- Identify quality improvement opportunities through analysis and understanding of data and information, reflection, and critical thinking.
- Work with the quality improvement department and multidisciplinary colleagues to establish quality improvement projects and deliver measurable improvement.
- Develop and deliver training packages to diverse groups of staff and stakeholders.
- Develop training packages for online training platforms.
Communication and Relationships
- Identify, establish, and maintain working relationships with the relevant stakeholders and partners e.g., Trust and regional R&D Directorates, commissioning bodies, patients, carers, the public and other relevant groups/individuals and provide a communication infrastructure for the neurodevelopmental research stream.
- Devise email newsletters, website, and social media content to update relevant stakeholders of the neurodevelopmental research stream.
- Identify, develop, and maintain effective collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders, to include clinicians, patients, carers, and organisations.
- Participate in communication, including preparation and delivery of presentations, reports and newsletters or meetings detailing the work of the neurodevelopmental research stream.
Governance Management
- Maintain a strong and current working knowledge of developments regarding clinical research, its regulation and governance, Good Clinical Practice, NHS functions and services to inform and guide the consortiums strategy and plans accordingly.
- Maintain a working knowledge of current legislation regarding Data Protection.
Continuous Professional Development
- Continually update knowledge and understanding of the clinical populations served by the neurodevelopmental research stream and RADiANT.
- Monitor developments in relevant services and pathways about audit, service evaluation and research.
- Monitor policy and legal developments regarding audit, service evaluation and research.
- Attend local and national events to remain up to date on field developments and promote the neurodevelopmental research stream.
Other
- The job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Knowledge/ Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent.
- Awareness of Patient and Public Involvement in clinical practice and research.
- Knowledge of a diverse range of research and quality improvement methods.
- Understanding of research ethics, governance, data protection, GCP and informed consent.
- Knowledge and understanding of the clinical populations served by the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream and RADiANT
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification.
- Good Clinical Practice certificate
- Recognised qualification in Quality Improvement
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload.
- Postgraduate experience in a relevant area.
- Knowledge and confident use of information and communication technologies.
- Good working knowledge of MS Outlook, MS Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience of statistical packages.
- Demonstrable skills in information synthesis.
Person Specification
Knowledge/ Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent.
- Awareness of Patient and Public Involvement in clinical practice and research.
- Knowledge of a diverse range of research and quality improvement methods.
- Understanding of research ethics, governance, data protection, GCP and informed consent.
- Knowledge and understanding of the clinical populations served by the HPFT neurodevelopmental research stream and RADiANT
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification.
- Good Clinical Practice certificate
- Recognised qualification in Quality Improvement
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload.
- Postgraduate experience in a relevant area.
- Knowledge and confident use of information and communication technologies.
- Good working knowledge of MS Outlook, MS Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience of statistical packages.
- Demonstrable skills in information synthesis.
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).
