Research Assistant

The post holder will have a vital role in the delivery of a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded research project, GOTHIC2: A 3-arm multi-centre randomised placebo-controlled trial of glycopyrrolate or hyoscine hydrobromide for the treatment of clozapine-induced hypersalivation. The post holder will travel to mental health clinics throughout the region to discuss the GOTHIC2 trial with community mental health service users, and recruit patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who are taking clozapine. The post holder may also collect data for the project in the clinic or participant's home, involving the CANTAB neurocognitive battery, PANSS and a range of other measures. Maintaining good working relationships with service users, carers, clinic staff will be key to the success of the project. The successful candidate should be organised, capable of independent work, with strong interpersonal skills and a good awareness of mental health difficulties. The post-holder
will be based at Maudsley Hospital, working alongside a vibrant research team. The post holder will work collaboratively with, and be supported by, the study Co-Chief Investigator and SLAM PI (Prof MacCabe), the CI of the study (Dr Inti Qurashi, Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust), the Trial manager, (Julie Perry, Liverpool Clinical Trials Unit, University of Liverpool) and the GOTHIC2 study team, research and delivery staff and clinical services to assist with the successful delivery of the study., 1. To assist in the set-up and facilitation of the research project.2. To maintain and manage an external database of quantitative data3. To approach potential research participants using a variety of communication formats, to engage them in the research study.4. To carry out any relevant psychometric test materials and interviews whilst ensuring the safety and comfort of participants and yourself.5. Where indicated, to follow-up research participants at agreed intervals.6. To be aware of the psychological/ emotional needs of research participants, responding and reporting appropriately.7. To ensure that research procedures are carried out according to the approved protocol and the UK policy framework for health and social care research.8. To conduct reviews of electronic patient clinical notes, extracting and coding data for research purposes.9. To score relevant tests, anonymise and enter data into the study database.10. To ensure safe storage of paper data.11. To help with the
production of interim progress reports for the project funder and ethicscommittee.12. To help notify the local research governance committee of any ongoing changes to the project.13. To assist in the preparation of manuscripts for publications using the study data.14. To travel independently to engage the participation of others in the research (travel expenses will be reimbursed).15. The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties and responsibilities within the framework of the post.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

In this role you will be working with Prof James MacCabe's research team at the Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience King's College London. Prof MacCabe is the academic director of the Psychosis Clinical Academic Group which is responsible for research and clinical services in psychosis throughout Kings Health Partners. His research focusses on treatment resistant schizophrenia and GOTHIC2 is one of several clinical trials currently under way in this area. You will also be part of a wider GOTHIC2 study team based at several trusts around the UK and coordinated from Merseycare NHSFT.