Job summaryWe 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 jobThe 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 usHertfordshire 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 descriptionJob responsibilitiesJob Responsibilities:To ensure the research design meets the needs of the evaluation and shows whether the project is effective and value for moneyTo be responsible for ensuring patients treatments, assessment, follow- ups and data collection are co-ordinateTo work to maintain service user and parent/carer confidentialityTo maintain close liaison with relevant clinical and research staffTo collect research data as appropriateTo maintain and ensure that data associated with research projects is kept secureTo ensure data collected meets the requirements of the research and evaluationThe 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 researchThe post holder will manage their own work-load and timetable, with routine supervisionThey will travel to locations where it is agreed that in- person attendance is requiredDuties and Responsibilities:Duties are likely to involve some or all of the following :RecruitmentTo 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 necessaryTo 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 necessaryTo undertake video calls to aid service users if necessaryTo carry out assessment of individual participants according to the research /evaluation demandsTo assist in preparing protocols and manuals for the evaluationTo work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelinesOtherTo attend meetings as requiredTo attend virtual meetings across the east of EnglandTo undertake assessments and follow-up when necessaryTo complete interviews with participants, families and other stakeholders as requiredTo maintain a working knowledge of relevant mental health practice and to disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc to personnel as requiredTo assist with the creation and delivery of relevant evaluation related protocols and proceduresTo 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 serviceEducation and DevelopmentTo keep up to date with relevant training and develop skills and knowledge by maintaining a programme of developmentTo participate positively in regular supervision and annual appraisalTo complete Good Clinical Practice Training.Working Relationships and Communication Requirements of the JobTo liaise with research and academic staff, the wider Trust personnel, clinical staff, and external contacts as necessaryTo maintain a position of integrity, appreciating the need for confidentiality when dealing with staff and issues appertaining to this postTo demonstrate and use excellent communication skillsCommunication requirementsTo 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 skillsClinical ResponsibilityThe 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 ResponsibilityThe postholder may be required to supervise some undergraduates who may be volunteering or working within the department.Financial responsibilityThe postholder will be responsible for minimising the financial impact of this evaluationService Development and ImprovementThe 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 SkillsTo 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 guidelinesTo be responsible for the recording of patient and/or parent/carer recruitment on appropriate systems, when requiredTo provide information / reports on recruitment when requestedThe postholder should be familiar with data processing packages such as PASWFor a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.Person SpecificationKNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCEEssentialPsychology Degree (Hons, 2.1 or above) or equivalent degree in a related disciplineDesirableHigher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD)Experience of working on funded clinical trialsExperience of gaining informed consent from those who volunteer to take part in researchUnderstanding of research methodologies including experimental and qualitative research methodologiesAREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGEEssentialExperience of working with people with mental health problemsWorking within mental health care services and nonstatutory services/voluntary agencies.Ability to analyse complex statistical data using various analysis programs SPSS and ExcelA good level of keyboard skills gained from experience or trainingDesirableExperience of working with those who have a history of PTSD/TraumaExperience of working with people with neurodevelopmental disabilitiesCOMMUNICATION SKILLSEssentialAble 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 SKILLSEssentialAbility to analyse complex statistical data using various analysis programs SPSS and ExceDesirableExperience of managing data within clinical trials, including the completion and management of trialspecific Clinical Record Forms.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Employer detailsEmployer nameHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressCAMHS Community Eating Disorder 15 Forest Lane, Kingsley Green Radlett WD7 9HQ15 Forest Lane, Kingsley GreenRadlettWD7 9HQEmployer's websitehttps://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)