research assistant London, England
Job description
We have an exciting opportunity for a research assistant within the Persistent Physical Symptoms Service, Maudsley Hospital. We are seeking an enthusiastic person to be part of our internationally recognised service.
You will work as part of a clinically experienced multidisciplinary team that includes Psychiatrists, Therapists and a Physiotherapist.
The post holder will be vital in supporting the clinical team with any research or day to day activities that are delegated to them.
In this role, the post holder will be responsible for administering psychological measures, data management duties, data analysis, as well as writing up of results.
We are an internationally recognised service providing assessment and evidence-based treatment for persistent physical symptoms (PPS). Our expertise includes chronic symptoms in long term conditions and medically unexplained symptoms. We treat a range of conditions including:
Persistent physical symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic physical symptoms and disability in long term conditions
Fibromyalgia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Non-cardiac chest pain
Dysfunctional breathing
Chronic pain
We pride ourselves in our ability to engage with people who have complex and sometimes long-standing difficulties. We can treat people with significant disability and those suffering from co-morbid depression or anxiety.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a computerised database of patient’s referral details, subsequent processing and presentation of information. They will co-ordinate responses to requests for information both internally and externally and will be responsible for the analysis of data for the unit and trust purposes, using SPSS.
They will oversee the collection and analysis of data in relation to various research projects being undertaken in the unit with assistance from senior members of the team, and contribute to writing up scientific papers related to research carried out in the unit. The post holder will also provide active administrative assistance in the clinical research aims of the unit.
The post holder will be required to interact appropriately with research participants, service users, their carers and relatives, with the ability to convey the goals of the research in a friendly manner. They will also participate in and contribute towards multi-disciplinary meetings within the unit, as well as liaising with health professionals outside of the research team as required.
The post holder will also be responsible for ensuring that study recruitment targets are met and that accurate data collection records are maintained.
The Persistent Physical Symptoms Service is made up of a multi-disciplinary team of Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychotherapists and Physiotherapists, with the support of the Service Administrators. The service is currently based at Mapother House within the Maudsley Hospital at Denmark Hill, but is due to move offices within the Maudsley Hospital site.
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 a wide range restaurants.
Benefits:
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It’s important to us that you feel valued and appreciated and that is why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer.
Some of our benefits include:
- Generous pay, pensions and leave
- Work life balance
- Career development
- Car lease
- Accommodation
- NHS discounts
- Counselling services
- Wellbeing events
- Long service awards
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Childcare vouchers
- Staff restaurants
The post holder will be part of the Persistent Physical Symptoms Research and Treatment service, and will be vital in supporting the clinical team with any research or day to day activities that are delegated to them.
In this role, the post holder will be responsible for administering psychological measures, data management duties, data analysis, as well as writing up of results.
The role will be based in Southwark, South London.
1. FACTS AND FIGURES
We are an internationally recognised service providing assessment and evidence-based treatment for persistent physical symptoms (PPS). Our expertise includes chronic symptoms in long term conditions and medically unexplained symptoms. We treat a range of conditions including:
Persistent physical symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic physical symptoms and disability in long term conditions
Fibromyalgia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Non-cardiac chest pain
Dysfunctional breathing
Chronic pain
We pride ourselves in our ability to engage with people who have complex and sometimes long-standing difficulties. We can treat people with significant disability and those suffering from co-morbid depression or anxiety.
At South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust we provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK. We also provide substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Our 4,600 staff serves a local population of 1.3 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. We provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and we treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon. We are part of one of England’s six Academic Health Sciences Centres, King’s Health Partners, withKing’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts.
1. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
The post holder will be line managed by the PPS Research & Treatment Unit Lead Psychotherapist/Service Manager, Clare Grey and supervised by the Clinical Lead, Prof Trudie Chalder.
1. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage a computerised database of patient’s referral details, subsequent processing and presentation of information.
- Co-ordinate responses to requests for information both internally and externally.
- Analysis of data for the unit and trust purposes, using SPSS
- Provide active administrative assistance in the clinical research aims of the unit
- To collect data in relation to various research projects being undertaken in the unit
- To analyse data with assistance from senior members of the team
- To contribute to writing up scientific papers related to research carried out in the unit
- To interact appropriately with research participants, service users, their carers and relatives, with the ability to convey the goals of the research in a friendly language
- To communicate effectively with all members of the research & treatment team, including contributing to the multi-disciplinary meetings
- Helpful liaison will health professionals and other people outside of the research team
- To help engender an excellent and collaborative team spirit
- To contribute to the engagement and consent of study participants.
- To ensure study recruitment targets are met
- To ensure that study recruitment and data collection records are accurately maintained.
- Be an active and engaging member of each team
- Continue to update knowledge in the relevant research field
- Present summaries of relevant papers at various meetings
- Conduct research assessments
- To be involved in the writing of high quality reports and academic papers in collaboration with other researchers
- To undertake all required mandatory training as appropriate to the grade and position
- Efficient management of workload and time
- To be able to work independently as required with minimal supervision.
Persistent Physical Symptoms Research and Treatment Service staff: Daily
Clinical Lead: Weekly
Other Trust departments, external agencies and other links: As required
OTHER INFORMATION
Confidentiality
Confidentiality/data protection regarding all personal information and Trust activity must be maintained at all times (both in and out of working hours) in accordance with professional codes of conduct and relevant legislation such as the Data Protection Act. The post holder should ensure that they are familiar with and adhere to all Trust Information governance policies and procedures. Any breach of confidentiality will be taken seriously and appropriate disciplinary action may be taken.
Equal Opportunities
Promote the concepts of equality of opportunity and managing diversity Trust wide.
Health and Safety
Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, paying due regard to health and safety in the workplace and management of risk to maintain a safe working environment for service users, visitors and employees.
Infection Prevention and Control
Employees must be aware of their responsibilities to protect service users, visitors and employees against the risks of acquiring health care associated infections, in accordance with Trust policy.
Professional standards and performance review
Maintain consistently high professional standards and act in accordance with the relevant professional code of conduct. Employees are expected to participate in the performance review process.
Service/Department standards
Support the development of performance standards within the Service/Department to ensure the service is responsive to and meeting the needs of its customers.
Finance
All Trust staff will comply with the financial processes and procedures.
Safeguarding Children
Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Children Act 1989, 2004.
Code of Conduct
The post holder is required to adhere to the standards of conduct expected of all NHS managers set out in the Code of Conduct for NHS managers.
This job description will be subject to regular review and adjustment.
SUMMARY
This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the pay band. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development of the post holder.
