Band 5 - NIHR RDN Clinical Research Practitioner

Job Overview

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded through the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR is a large, multi-faceted and nationally distributed organisation. The NIHR Regional Research Delivery Networks (RDN) are the clinical research delivery arm of the NHS and are tasked with supporting the rapid set-up and effective conduct of studies.

RDN-funded staff require an in-depth understanding of how the local NHS works, an ability to forge and maintain productive partnerships across organisational boundaries and the tenacity to deliver aspirational targets in often challenging environments.

These posts are unique and will be exclusively supporting the delivery of NIHR RDN Portfolio Studies entirely within clinical services associated or linked with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. The post holder will take responsibility for the co‑ordination, delivery and management of clinical research within Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. The postholder will support all aspects of research study delivery including feasibility, set up, recruitment to time and target, close down and archiving.

This role is a key member of the Research Delivery Team, who work alongside the Trust R&D Office and support staff. The principal purpose of the role is to work with clinical teams in all clinical directorates of the organisation and with partners in different care settings, but also to work flexibly between specialities in response to the demands of the NIHR RDN portfolio.

For this role, we envisage a need to support our research In Huntington’s Disease would be a priority for a substantial part of your time, at least initially.

The postholder will lead and assist in identifying and recruiting service users or staff to participate in research studies. The CRP will support the Band 6/7 posts. All research delivery will be undertaken in line with relevant Trust and national policies and procedures, especially supporting elements of the “Assess, Arrange, Confirm” pathway required by HRA (Health Research Authority) and contributing to the development of Trust processes.

Dr Dave Clarke, ,

It is not formally required that a CRP be a trained or registered clinical professional/practitioner, although such skills can be invaluable within the multi-disciplinary R&D team, but the role will, wherever possible, be supported by clinical expertise as relevant to specific research studies. The role involves using knowledge of research protocols and their application in practice, alongside a working knowledge and compliance with the local, national and international research regulations.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting and sometimes leading the management, co‑ordination and facilitation for a defined group of NIHR RDN Portfolio research studies, from set up to archiving and meeting agreed patient recruitment targets. This will involve direct patient contact in the recruitment, education and monitoring of patients taking part in research studies and the collection and documentation of accurate data (up to ICH‑GCP standards), and this may include clinical procedures (subject to qualifications).

Staff will be expected to continue to develop specialised skills and knowledge relating to the portfolio of research under their management. The post‑holder will be expected to work flexibly between specialities in response to the demands of the NIHR RDN portfolio.

The main differentiation between an B5 CRP and a CSO/CRP (Band 6 or
7) is the number and complexity of studies they may be involved in, and the level of delegated responsibility for leadership and project management. Progression to this level is encouraged.

We may close the advert early, if we receive a sufficient number of applicants, so please apply as soon as possible.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides a range of community health, mental health and learning disability services for people of all ages. Delivered through over 100 settings from inpatient wards to out in the…