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Job summary

Main area
Research Assistant
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (.)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
222-HSS-BM-248
Employer
West London NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Broadmoor Hospital
Town
Crowthorne
Salary
£35,763 - £43,466 Per Annum Inclusive of Allowances
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/11/2025 23:59
Interview date
13/11/2025

Employer heading

West London NHS Trust logo

Research Assistant

Band 5

West London NHS Trust  provides a full range of mental health, community  and physical healthcare services for children, adults and older people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow.

We also provide some specialist services that are commissioned regionally, such as our medium secure services; and nationally, such as the Cassel Hospital for people with complex and severe personality disorder and our high secure services at Broadmoor Hospital.

Job overview

The purpose of this role is to conduct research tasks in Broadmoor High Secure Hospital, working on a number of different projects within the high secure forensic setting. The research assistants will form part of the research team at the Broadmoor High Secure Hospital Research Hub. The research assistants will be required to take part in all aspects of research on site. The research assistants will also be expected to help develop and coordinate future research proposals including projects coproduced with patients.

Main duties of the job

As a research assistant in Broadmoor Hospital, you will be supporting research projects taking place within the hospital. This may for example include recruiting and interviewing patients, collecting and analysing data and writing up research proposals. You will be working to facilitate patient involvement in research and help ensure that appropriate research governance is being maintained. You will also play a role in disseminating research practice within and outside of the hospital. 

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and   Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m. 

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • First degree (2:1 or higher) in psychology or other relevant subject and excellent academic record

Experience

Desirable criteria
  • Working with diverse groups of people
  • Working with people in secure settings
  • Working with people with mental health problems
  • Mental health research
  • Experience of using Word and SPSS
  • (Basic) experience of using other statistical or programming tools for example R or Python
  • Conducting systematic literature review +/- meta-analysis

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems and other disabilities
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of the literature on psychosis, cognition and the outcome measurers in secure mental health Settings

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • Excellent oral communication skills
  • Excellent written communication skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Strong time management skills and ability to work to deadlines
Desirable criteria
  • Skills in interviewing vulnerable service users, including but not limited to in forensic psychiatry/psychology

Other Requirements

Essential criteria
  • Confidentiality
  • Self-motivation, the ability to work on own initiative
  • Self-motivation, the ability to work in a team
  • Good computer skills
  • Commitment to [trust policy of equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and research participants of all cultures and Backgrounds
  • Commitment to working within the security policies and procedures of the high secure hospital setting at Broadmoor
  • Meticulous in approach to work
  • Persuasive, able to motivate others
  • Interest in mental health services research
Desirable criteria
  • Ambition to develop an academic career, or to be a clinical psychologist / mental health professional

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Train work experience quality standard - gold standardNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleJob share policyInvestors in PeopleDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Victoria Gombya
Job title
Administration Officer
Email address
[email protected]
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