Clinical Research Assistant
Oxford
Full Time
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum
Expires: 14/05/2026
Band 5
Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Leave Cover)
About the Role
Job overview
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) is a highly research-active organisation, delivering a broad portfolio of studies—from small-scale educational projects to complex Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs). Our work spans a range of specialties, including dementia, mental health, community health, and services for children and young people.
We are now seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Clinical Research Assistant to join our Memory & Cognition Research Delivery Team (M&C RDT). This is an opportunity to support the delivery of innovative clinical research involving individuals experiencing memory difficulties and various forms of dementia.
As a Clinical Research Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality clinical research services. Your responsibilities will include:
- Assisting with the recruitment, education, and ongoing monitoring of research participants
- Collecting, recording, and maintaining accurate research data
- Supporting the collection of biological samples, including tissue and/or blood
- Working collaboratively with senior colleagues, clinical trial teams, and the wider multidisciplinary team
This role involves travel to NHS research sites across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, therefore access to a car or suitable alternative transport for business use is essential.
Main duties of the job
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Plan and coordinate your day-to-day work in collaboration with the Memory and Cognition Research Delivery Team (MCRDT) and the team lead.
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Support research delivery, by undertaking trial specific investigations as required by the trial protocol.
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Undertake clinical assessments for the trial where appropriate, including the completion of ECGs, blood tests, vital sign monitoring, diagnostic interviewing, cognitive assessments, and other standardised interviews.
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To provide information, education and support to participants and study partners during research visits and ongoing follow up care throughout the research process.
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To maintain accurate documentation of patient events in medical and trial notes.
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To act appropriately to report and record serious adverse events, this includes communication with the Principal Investigator, study coordinator and relevant local personnel and regulatory authorities.
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Process biological samples (including centrifuging, pipetting, and transporting of samples in accordance with IATA regulations).
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To act at all times in a way that maintains patients’ and carers’ dignity.
Working for our organisation
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values
Please note that interviews are scheduled for the morning of Wednesday 20th May.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Awareness of relevant obligatory regulations and legal requirements such as Good Clinical Practice, Mental
- Capacity Act, Data Protection Act. Desire to learn and develop clinical research skills and knowledge.
Desirable criteria
- Recent GCP training.
- Knowledge in the field of memory assessment and treatment.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level in life science field or equivalent relevant experience in older adults mental health care.
- Well-developed computer skills.
- Good time management and organisational skills.
- Attention to detail and ability to collect accurate data.
- Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to accurately undertake core observations (temperature, pulse, respiratory and heart rate)
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of continuous personal, professional development.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- Experience of working with people with mental and/or physical health issues and their carers.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of clinical research, or of research in a healthcare setting.
- Phlebotomy experience
- Clinical interviewing and/or cognitive assessment experience.
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Ability to work well both in a team and on own initiative.
- Ability to problem solve everyday issues and raise issues appropriately to more senior members of staff.
- Ability to work with a range of individuals with different professional backgrounds.
- Able to recognise own limitations and ask for supervision/training as required.
Other
Essential criteria
- Ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post – to travel to research sites and participants homes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Documents to Download
B5 Clinical Research Assistant (PDF, 280.4KB)
Guidance Notes for Candidates Applying for a job at OHFT (PDF, 424.6KB)
Recruiter Contact Details
Name: Jo Searle
Title: Research Delivery Team Lead
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01865 902694