Job Description

This post is Fixed Term for 12 months. Secondment considered.



The Clinical Research Practitioner in Mood Disorders will be a key member of the new CPFT Mood Disorders Research Clinic, led by Dr Hatfield and Dr Osimo. This full-time, fixed-term Band 7 role supports the clinic's establishment and daily operations across Cambridge and Peterborough.



Applicants must be a Registered Nurse or hold a degree in psychology or a related health and social care field, with registration from NMC, AHCS, HCPC, or an equivalent body. Postgraduate training and experience to Master's level are essential, while prior clinical research experience is desirable.



The role involves coordinating and delivering research with adult patients, and occasionally older adults and adolescents. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, physical examinations, and phlebotomy, as well as supervising junior staff and resident doctors.



The post holder will contribute to the clinic's academic and scientific output, supporting the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) Mission. Upholding the Trust's values--professionalism, respect, innovation, dignity, and empowerment--is essential, alongside maintaining high standards of clinical governance, patient safety, and research integrity.



This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to advance research in mood disorders and influence the future of mental health care.



The Clinical Research Practitioner will undertake diverse clinical and research responsibilities within the Mood Disorders Research Clinic. Key duties include identifying and screening participants, obtaining informed consent, and conducting clinical assessments such as psychiatric evaluations, tests, and phlebotomy. The role also involves coordinating follow-up visits, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring adherence to study protocols and ethical standards.



Beyond clinical tasks, the practitioner will lead patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) initiatives, supervise junior staff, and help shape clinic policies and procedures. They will manage clinical equipment and organise logistics for study participants.



On the research side, the post holder will support clinical trial delivery, uphold data quality and governance, and assist in developing research protocols and ethics submissions. They will critically appraise methodologies, contribute to grant applications, and support academic outputs including publications and presentations.



Governance responsibilities include developing clinical and research policies, managing referral screening systems, and supporting triage. The practitioner will also engage in ongoing training, stay informed on relevant legislation and best practices, and ensure compliance with Trust policies on equality, diversity, and information governance.



Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.



Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.



To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.



Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.



Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.



For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk



Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities



1. To identify potential participants from primary care, self-referrals, CPFT and wider NHS clinical services, community services, university and NHS databases, specialist clinics, third sector organisations, schools and other access routes, for suitability for the Mood disorder clinic.



2. To be able to independently screen participants through notes/questionnaire reviews, and through phone/video consultations.



3. To be able to independently undertake all aspects of the clinical research pathway, including greeting participants, obtaining informed consent, performing assessments and testing and aspects of physical examination, phlebotomy, and arranging and undertaking follow-ups if needed.



4. To undertake psychiatric risk assessments and to discuss with/report to the supervising Consultants.



5. To lead in setting up and running patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities - including setting up meetings, contracting and recruiting participants, running sessions, summarising results - with support from the Leads.



6. To help supervise and coordinate activities by Resident Doctors and

Research/Healthcare Assistant(s).



7. To work with the clinical teams to map the patient pathway for specific trials, performing assessments, including psychological assessments, ECGs, physical examination and phlebotomy and associated processing.



8. To take and process blood samples required and ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens.



9. To maintain accurate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented within the patients' medical notes and study source documentation.



10. To support carers through the study process, ensuring those involved are well informed.