Detailed job description and main responsibilities

5. RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Oxfordshire Early Intervention in Psychosis service (OEIS) is a community based, multidisciplinary service for all people experiencing a first episode of psychosis in the county of Oxfordshire. We are very research active, with research embedded into our service, and enriching and improving the clinical care that we provide.

We are aligned with the Early Psychosis Research Group (EPRG), a research group from the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry who study the causes and course of illness and the treatments for people who are experiencing or who have recently experienced a first episode of a psychotic illness. Our group are interested in many different topics related to psychotic illnesses, such as investigating the role of immune system or gut bacteria in psychotic symptoms, investigating ways to improve the physical health for people with psychosis, and looking into how best we can provide early treatment and organise community mental health services for people with psychosis.  We also work closely with the Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis team, (OCAP) who develop novel psychological treatment approaches to many of the common difficulties experienced by people with psychosis. In addition, we are a leading recruitment site for NIHR portfolio research studies run from other academic institutions, or commercial partners and regularly recruit more participants into research than other mental health services across the UK.

We have now received funding from UK Mental Health Mission to further support this research activity.  The post will support a new cohort study that is being funded by the Mission, that will be looking to streamline routine outcome data collection from all people within the OEIS, and align with blood sample collection, for use in future genomic analysis and diagnostic testing.

This post will work with Dr Maughan and Professor Lennox to develop this work. There will be plenty of opportunities to get experience in research in multiple different settings, from the laboratory to the clinic and to develop projects according to particular interests. This will be the ideal post for someone looking to gain experience in clinical research with a view to a future clinical academic career.

6. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: 

The role will allow the development of research and clinical skills while working with people with severe mental illness. It is ideally suited to those with an interest in a clinical-academic career, and building towards future applications to an academic clinical fellowship and/or doctoral training programmes.

There are regular educational meetings for FY doctors and attendance is strongly encouraged (Tuesday at 12:30). The doctor is also encouraged to attend the Professorial Unit Seminars, University Department of Psychiatry (Tuesday at 9.30am)).

Educational objectives:

There will be many opportunities for trainees to develop the competencies outlined in the F1 Curriculum, including the following areas:

·       Manage own research and administrative activities, within guidelines provided by senior colleagues

·       Contribute to wider project planning, including ideas for new research projects

·       Contribute to the design of research materials and make arrangements for data gathering

·       Gather, analyse, and present qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources

·       Responsible for the day-to-day administration of the research project

·       Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone

·       Support study delivery by undertaking research activities outlined in approved study documents; facilitate the informed consent process as per legislation and the Mental Capacity Act, and develop and maintain skills, experience and competence in research processes.

·       Provide staff and participants with information about the purpose of studies, the resources required and be a point of contact for staff involved.

• Collect and maintain data and study documentation and ensure that all data collected, stored and used is done so in compliance with relevant statutory instruments, national and local guidelines and regulations
• Adhere to Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP), Research Governance Framework, national and local practices and policies
• Provide written or verbal reports regarding the progress of the research to the research team
• Support the management team in the event of inspection from a regulatory and/or monitoring authority
• Engage in multi-disciplinary meetings and reviews where appropriate

Autonomous Working

• Prioritise work in an effective manner
• Work effectively with limited supervision
• Act independently and use own initiative to maintain collaborative research relationships with NHS, CRN and University staff

Performance Management

• To receive regular supervision in accordance with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust policy guidelines
• To maintain and build on skills and competencies through annual appraisal and Personal Development Plans and attend training that takes account of evidence-based practice and contributes to the team objectives. To undertake continuous professional development
• To work in accordance with all policies and procedures, including the support of equal opportunities and social inclusion.
• Take part in local, internal/external audits/inspections

Health and Safety/Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Recognise that promoting the welfare and safeguarding children, young people and adults is everyone's business and access training and supervision as appropriate to the role.
• Raise concerns appropriately in line with the Trust’s Safeguarding Adults Policy and the Child Protection Policy and interagency safeguarding procedures.
• Comply with recruitment and other checks as requested by the organisation including undertaking an Enhanced Disclosure via the Criminal Records Bureau.
• Take responsibility for the health & safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their omissions or actions at work.
• Report accidents, incidents and near misses, implementing corrective action where necessary

Case/Patient Management

• Maintain professional integrity in line with your relevant Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.

7. OUT OF HOURS AND DAY EMERGENCY COVER DUTIES

 There are no out of hours or day emergency cover commitments for this post.