An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Research Assistant to support a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) study of digital sleep support (Sleep Buddy) for children with ADHD. The trial will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a digital intervention for parents of children with ADHD and chronic insomnia.
The appointee will assist in the operational management of Sleep Buddy and a number of other CAMHS related research studies, and will be based at either Moorgreen Hospital, Hedge End or St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth. Core aspects of the role will include the promotion of recruitment via local child and adolescent mental health and paediatric clinics, online/telephone eligibility screening, data collection, and maintenance of clinical research files. The appointee will work collaboratively with other UK research sites as well as the University of Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.
You will have relevant experience in a health care and research environment, with excellent communication and organisation skills. You will need be able to work flexibly at times.
Training will be provided in all trial processes.
This role is fixed term until January 2028. Secondment opportunities will be considered but please discuss with your line manager prior to making an application.
Please note this vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Carrying out screening assessments with study participants over the phone to assess trial eligibility, including gaining parent confirmation of ADHD diagnosis.
Ensuring screening data is reviewed regularly and used effectively to ensure the trial recruits at an acceptable rate at each centre.
Carrying out standard service use data collection with study participants over Teams or telephone calls at 3 months and 6 months.
Assisting parents with completion of baseline and follow-up questionnaires, as required.
Responding to parents' telephone queries, as required.
Liaising with local Principal Investigator or Clinical Trials Unit staff with any queries or concerns (e.g. adverse events/safe-guarding concerns).
To promote recruitment of parents of children with ADHD aged 6-12 year to the Sleep Buddy digital intervention randomised controlled trial through:
-
Initial study promotion around trial launch with local NHS clinics (paediatric and CAMHS), local charities and support groups, and GP networks.
-
Explaining and promoting the trial to ensure wide participation and good accrual of parents.
-
Regular contact with clinical teams, local charities and support groups to ensure signposting of parents to trial (e.g. mail-outs, study adverts handed out/posters in clinics), responsive to needs of each setting.
-
Suggesting and implementing strategies for improving recruitment.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.
Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.
We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.
Relevant degree or equivalent qualification or experience acquired in relevant roles and job-related training.
Good IT literacy/MS Office applications.
Experience of a clinical trial in the NHS or the commercial health research sector.
Knowledge and experience of medical research methodology and statutory clinical trial regulation and GCP.
Previous experience of working in a health care, research, or busy office environment.
Knowledge of medical or medical research terminology.
Experience of successful project management.
Experience of administering cognitive assessments.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
