An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the research team based in the Research Development Unit (RDU). Clinical research is an important strategic element of the work of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust. To deliver this we have a wide range of research projects ranging from small student projects through to complex and intensive Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs) running within the organisation. These run across a variety of disciplines including mental health, dementia and specialist community services.
The RDU is responsible for managing initial contact with collaborators and potential principal investigators (PIs), processing studies through capacity and capability review, and managing the governance and oversight of our research portfolio. We also carry out some research management functions for Primary Care in Sheffield.
The Mental Health Research Nurse (RN) will play a key role within the RDU research delivery team. The post holder will work alongside our dedicated research staff in clinical and non-clinical areas to support optimal delivery of patient-centred mental health studies, including commercially sponsored clinical trials. They will also be responsible for the collection and collation of data, both from study participant source data and that which is required for internal and external reports and key performance indicators.
Work with various members of the research delivery team including research nurses, research allied health professionals (AHPs), clinical studies officers and the wider RDU team to ensure necessary quality standards for research delivery are being adhered to.
Based across the SHSC Research Development Unit (RDU) and associated sites of research activity to enable setup and delivery of NIHR portfolio studies and commercial studies.
Ensure that NIHR RDN portfolio and commercial studies successfully recruit participants to time and target.
Support uptake of new studies and support other researchers to plan, submit and obtain funding for research that is eligible for adoption on the NIHR RDN portfolio, while further supporting their engagement with non-commercial and commercial research delivery
Support individual members of the team with a variety of administrative and research activities, including site file management and the updating and maintenance of accurate up to date study documentation in a timely manner.
Accurately enter data on a variety of study web-based platforms.
Liaise with the PI /research team and other services involved in individual research study delivery .
At SHSC, we prioritise the well-being and safety of both our service users and employees. It is our policy and a condition of employment that all employees must join the DBS Update Service. This service carries an annual fee, which employees are responsible for paying up front. However, employees may claim this cost back through the Trust’s Employee Expenses Reimbursement Policy. For those requiring a Basic DBS check, it is necessary to register for a DBS Online Account.

Key areas of responsibility

• To take a lead role in completing the feasibility assessments of potential new studies in the trust, assisting the Research Manager and Research Delivery Manager.
• To lead on the site set up and delivery of Mental Health Studies, recruiting to time and target, site file management, and site selection/ sponsor monitoring visits.
• To identify participants to NIHR RDN portfolio studies according to specific protocols and guidelines and assist clinicians in obtaining informed consent from those participants.
• To build awareness of mental health studies running in Trusts across Yorkshire and Humber (and nationally, where possible) and consider whether these studies could be opened in other sites.
• To attend multidisciplinary team meetings regularly to aid identification and recruitment of participants to commercial and non-commercial studies. To present research protocols to multi-disciplinary teams to encourage participation.
• To actively promote Mental Health studies and raise awareness of RDU initiatives by attending trust wide forums and conferences.
• To liaise closely with the Research Manager and Research Delivery Manager, principal investigator/research team and other services involved in the delivery of research studies.
• To provide verbal and written information and support to research participants and their carers for the duration of their involvement in the research project, and to assist participants with the completion of questionnaires, and interviews, as necessary.
• To undertake home visits when necessary to engage with and recruit service users to research projects.
• Coordinate assessment and follow-up as necessary in accordance with research protocol, ensuring adherence and escalating where appropriate.
• To assist the RDU and Research Delivery Manager to monitor patient recruitment
• Identify areas of low patient recruitment and liaise with RDU and Research Delivery Manager to identify strategies for improving.
• To 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 guidelines.
• To be responsible for the recording of patient recruitment and adverse events on the Data Entry System (EDGE).
• To provide information / reports on recruitment.
• To attend project management group meetings for specific research projects which may, on occasion, involve travelling outside the region.
• Be willing to engage in flexible working hours to facilitate study visits.
• To provide support for research projects to obtain approvals from Health Research Authority and NHS Ethics.
• To provide support to participants, and other team members, for assessments and follow-up.
• To liaise with other Research Nurses (RN), Allied Health Professionals (AHP) and Clinical Studies Officers (CSO) across regional Mental Health Trusts to ensure the needs and higher level objectives of the RDN are met.
• To maintain a working knowledge of relevant mental health practice and to promptly disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc. to personnel working on research projects.
• To provide information and education on research projects to interested parties, in verbal and written format as well as face to face and virtual presentations.
• To support and supervise band 5 staff and other staff by completing regular supervision sessions and annual professional development reviews (PDRs), monitoring periods of sickness and annual leave, and documenting supervision appropriately.
• To cover duties of other RNs/ AHPs/ CSOs when required.
• To work at all times according to Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and Trust guidelines.
• To 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 service.
• Undertake any research training that is a requirement for the post.
• To support and promote the Trusts Research Champions Network to increase engagement with clinicians and clinical services.
• To support and work with SHSC Lived Experience Research partnership to increase services user engagement with research and identify opportunities for service user volunteers to support research.

Service Development
Participate in local campaigns to help raise awareness of our research to staff, service users, carers and the public (via events and health awareness days, for example).
Contribute to the maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidance, and procedures.
Contribute to the ongoing maintenance of the RDU pages on the Trust’s website and intranet, including updating revisions to current studies and guidance, where necessary.
Undertake mandatory and non-mandatory training related to the role, to maintain up to date technical and professional knowledge relevant to the post and attend research meetings as required.
Service User Involvement
Promote service user involvement in research and research development
Support the development of patient and public involvement groups and Patient Research Ambassadors.
Human Resources
Post holder will participate in regular supervision and undertake annual PDR as per Trust policy
Supervise B5/B4 staff as necessary, providing regular supervision and PDR
Attend all required Trust mandatory training and any training needed to fulfil requirements of the rol

Please refer the Job description for details