Job Description

Would you like to be part of finding treatments for the future at the NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility ?



As a Clinical Research Practitioner / Research Assistant, working in the only Mental Health CRF in the UK, you would be part of our friendly, multidisciplinary team, offering our research participants exceptional care as they follow their study journey.



A variety of research studies are currently run at the NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) at the Warneford: from National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and other grant funded studies through to commercial clinical trials. Studies include observational cohort studies through to CTIMPs, covering a wide variety of disease indications from healthy volunteers to those suffering from specific conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and dementia.



This role provides opportunities to develop, gain experience and knowledge in the field of mental health and neuroscience clinical research. Clinical experience and some familiarity with mental health conditions is essential, but no research experience is necessary. We have lots of training available and an extensive induction programme is offered to ensure staff build confidence and skill within the role.

Specific tasks will be:

Responding to enquiries from potential participants



Pre-screening potential participants by phone and arranging screening visits



Obtaining informed consent and conducting screening interviews, including the CDR, MINI and C-SSRS rating scales



Venepuncture and blood-spinning by centrifuge



Arranging and attending MRI scans and other clinic visits



Being a point of contact for trial participants



Completion of trial forms and prompt data entry to the online database



Experience of the above procedures would be an advantage, but you'll be joining an experienced team and full training will be given. Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties .



NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) was established in 2011, to support intensive research studies that are not feasible to conduct within the routine clinical care setting, primarily in areas of mental health and neurosciences.



Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.



Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals and clinics, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:

"Caring, safe and excellent"



At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:



Excellent opportunities for career progression



Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development



27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service



NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers



Competitive pension scheme



Lease car scheme



Cycle to work scheme



Employee Assistance Programme



Mental Health First Aiders



Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)



Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team



The OH CRF was awarded more than 4 million over five years by the NIHR. The OH CRF is one of 28 facilities across England to benefit from nearly 161 million that has been awarded to expand early phase clinical research delivery in NHS hospitals.



OH CRF staff have opportunities for training with the NIHR, UKCRF network, University of Oxford and many other study specific opportunities. Research Assistants may be able to expand their research experience by undertaking research themselves through working with leaders in the field at the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry and with nurse academics at Oxford Brookes University.



We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the "supporting statement" element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.



The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.