Clinical Research Trials Assistant | South West and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust

South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust is committed to hosting high‑quality research. The Clinical Research Unit based at Barnes Hospital (temporarily based in Teddington) serves a Trust‑wide research portfolio in observational and interventional Phase II‑IV trials.

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Clinical Research Trials Assistant to join the Team and support our work on National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) portfolio studies. This post provides a great opportunity for the successful candidate to gain experience in clinical research delivery, work together with other researchers in the Team, recruit participants and carry out clinical and psychometric assessments.

Personal professional development through training, educational meetings and career guidance will also be available.

Career progression pathways and development opportunities:
We have career pathways available across R&D Governance and Clinical Research Delivery, with ongoing training in governance, clinical research administration and delivery.

As part of this role, the candidate will recruit participants into NIHR clinical research studies and support the research delivery team across all areas of the Trust NIHR research portfolio, potentially involving cross‑site working.

Agile and flexible working:
As one of the few Trusts in London we offer flexible, agile working. In this role you will work Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00, giving you a good work‑life balance.

• Develop knowledge of the ethical principles for clinical research and its implications for current practice.
• Provide robust operational support in all aspects of clinical trials administration according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, local SOPs and other relevant SWLStG policies.
• Maintain personal and professional development, ensuring all relevant skills and training (e.g. GCP) are up‑to‑date.
• Help identify mental health service users and carers who are eligible to take part in a range of research projects and provide information and support for users involved in research projects.
• Collect data, which will involve interviewing, supporting and monitoring patients, and working closely with the Research Unit Coordinator and the Data Analyst to facilitate the unit.
• Recruit patients to observational trials and participate in the follow‑up and completion of relevant trial‑specific paperwork.
• Ensure that patients’ care and treatment, assessments, follow‑up and data collection are conducted according to the appropriate research protocols, liaising with mental health, social care and primary care services.

• Ensure the well‑being of study participants as the primary concern of research practice.
• Support the recruitment of participants into the clinical studies.
• Act as the patient’s guide and advocate through the decision‑making process, enabling patients to articulate reasons for trial participation or refusal and helping patients to deal with uncertainties of trial participation.
• Use judgement skills to assess patients’ suitability for trial participation and advise Consultants/care coordinators of suitability.
• Ensure that the procedures of consenting are followed, including information to patients/carers/next of kin regarding research methods, results, treatment decisions and medication adherence.
• Keep up to date with developments in research practice and ensure such practice throughout the Trust is in keeping with current legislation and guidance.
• Carry out clinical assessments in line with specific eligibility criteria.
• Organise and manage defined procedures, assist with intervention treatments and collect/record data arising from these.
• Undertake training in psychometric assessments and monitor trials procedures.

• Exercise professional judgement and knowledge of trial eligibility criteria when identifying suitable patients for clinical trials.
• Register and randomise patients into the clinical database.
• Take responsibility for accurate and complete data collection, updating and maintenance of databases and computerised systems, including creation of spreadsheets for…