Clinical Research Assistant

Role overview

This fixed-term Clinical Research Assistant post sits within the NHS Talking Therapies programme and involves work across Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and West London NHS Trust. The role supports evaluation of service transformation work, including digital solutions and workforce changes, with a focus on how these improvements affect access, waiting times, service engagement, recovery results and health inequalities.

You will collaborate with senior leaders, clinical teams, service users and system partners to deliver robust evaluation work in live NHS service settings. The post also includes activity across NIHR-aligned and locally commissioned projects, with responsibilities such as data gathering, analysis, service mapping, reporting and communicating findings to different audiences.

Main purpose of the role

This is an opportunity to contribute to digital innovation within NHS Talking Therapies. The role supports evaluation of new technologies, service improvement and future service design across North West London.

You will help deliver evaluation activity, collect and analyse data, map services and support a large-scale NHS Talking Therapies pilot programme jointly run by the two Trusts. The post is funded by NHS England and will play an important part in building the evidence base for digital tools and informing future service development.

You will work closely with colleagues in clinical, operational, digital and analytical teams across both Trusts, and you will also liaise with external system partners, including product suppliers. Findings may be presented to senior stakeholders such as boards and commissioners.

Team and development

You will join a collaborative, supportive and values-led team working where research, clinical service delivery and system transformation meet. The role offers strong development potential for people interested in research, service evaluation, population health, digital innovation, or future NHS clinical and academic careers.

Both organisations are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and applications are encouraged from people who reflect the communities served by the Trusts.

Key duties

Responsibilities will vary depending on experience and may include the following:

• Support evaluation work for digital and service transformation projects within NHS Talking Therapies.
• Organise data collection from clinical systems such as IAPTus, as well as from digital tools and service teams.
• Track and summarise outcomes such as activity levels, waiting times, engagement, dropout and recovery.
• Prepare reports, briefing summaries and presentations for internal teams and wider system stakeholders.
• Work in line with research governance, data protection, information governance and the requirements of IT and Digital teams.
• Carry out service mapping across North West London to identify variation in access and provision.
• Review demographic and inequalities data to support targeted improvement work.
• Work with clinical and operational colleagues to support outreach and evaluation activity.
• Collaborate with clinical, operational, digital and analytical colleagues across both Trusts.
• Take part in project, programme and governance meetings.
• Present findings and share learning using the most suitable format for each audience.
• Follow Good Clinical Practice, Trust policies and research governance standards.
• Maintain accurate, timely and high-quality records and documentation.
• Handle confidential information appropriately and preserve privacy at all times.
• Attend supervision, appraisal and relevant training.
• Build research and evaluation capability in line with programme and service needs.

Additional information

This post is fixed term and funded through NHS England. It is aligned to a large NHS Talking Therapies pilot programme and supports evaluation of digital tools, service improvement and future planning across North West London.

Terms and conditions

The role is based onsite in London, England, United Kingdom and is offered on a contract basis. The post is not advertised with a salary or stipend figure in the source information. No vacancy count, notice period or start date is stated.

Equality and inclusion

The Trusts state that they welcome applicants from communities represented by their patient populations and are committed to inclusive recruitment.

Candidate profile

The ideal applicant will bring experience from mental health services, clinical research delivery or patient recruitment, along with strong organisation, communication and IT skills. Confidence with confidential data, independent working, teamwork and public presentation is important for success in this post.

Qualifications and experience

Applicants should be educated to degree level or have equivalent experience in a healthcare-related field. A certificate in ICH Good Clinical Practice training is required. Essential experience includes working with people with mental health needs in an NHS inpatient or community setting, and three to five years of experience in research delivery or patient recruitment in clinical research. Project management experience would be an advantage.

Skills and abilities

Essential strengths include strong IT capability, excellent organisation, accurate record keeping, time management, interpersonal skills and clear written and verbal communication. The role also calls for the ability to help develop CRN training materials, speak in public, analyse sensitive and complex information, make independent decisions when needed, stay calm and diplomatic under pressure, and communicate complex ideas with confidence, empathy and enthusiasm. Flexibility, creativity, attention to detail, politeness and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are also important.

A willingness and ability to travel across North West London is listed as desirable.