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At Research and Innovation, we are seeking passionate GMMH staff members who are interested in becoming Research Advocates within their clinical teams. This crucial role will extend research opportunities to service users, as research has always been an essential part of the NHS and a core component of the GMMH strategy. 

 

We welcome all GMMH staff members who work in a clinical team, regardless of their profession or role. This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference in your workplace and become part of a larger effort to improve the quality of care and services provided to patients. 

 

The role of a Research Advocate is vital in extending research opportunities to service users within your clinical team. You will be a point of contact for researchers and research delivery staff, helping to prioritize research projects, informing colleagues about relevant research studies, and supporting the research delivery team to do more recruitment on your team's behalf. 

 

What the role would involve: 

• being a point of contact for researchers and research delivery staff 

• helping to priorities what research projects visit your team meetings and help book in 

• informing colleagues of relevant research studies currently recruiting in team meetings 

• receiving convenient and brief updates on studies taking place in your area 

• helping to put up research posters for recent studies in staff or patient areas 

• helping to plan for the research delivery team to do more recruitment on your team’s behalf  

• sharing recruitment performance summaries with your team (provided by R&I) 

• We anticipate that this role will require 15-30 minutes per week 

 

By becoming a Research Advocate, you will have the opportunity to provide better access to research participation for service users, which can mean access to therapy, detailed assessments, and payments for participation. You will also be helping your team deliver the NHS pledge to service users by informing them of research studies in which they may be eligible to participate. 

 

Moreover, the benefits of having research advocates in teams are significant. Improved recruitment means more recruitment-related payments for your team, and you will be eligible for research engagement rewards, which is funding that is proportionate to recruitment of participants to our studies. 

 

As a Research Advocate, you will also gain access to research-related continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities, including clinical skills workshops, and support relevant to your interests, needs, and career plans. This is not only beneficial for those who want a career in research, but also for the application of research skills in audit and developing skills for the application of research in clinical practice. 

 

The benefits for you as a Research Advocate: 

• improved knowledge and awareness of current research in your area 

• access to research related CPD opportunities (including clinical skills workshops) and support relevant to your interests, needs and career plans (not just for people who want a career in research, but also relevant for use of research skills in audit, and developing skills for application of research in clinical practice) 

• you will become part of a peer network of other research advocates from across the Trust, meeting like-minded people 

 

become part of a peer network of other research advocates from across the Trust, where you can share ideas, insights, and best practices. This is an excellent opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals and expand your professional network. 

 

In conclusion, becoming a Research Advocate is an opportunity to make a difference in your workplace and contribute to the betterment of patient care and services. This role requires only a commitment of 15-30 minutes per week, and the benefits for you and your team are significant. If you are interested in this role, please discuss it with your line manager and contact researchoffice@gmmh.nhs.uk. Join us today as a Research Advocate and make a difference! 

 

If you are interested in this role, please discuss with your line manager and contact researchoffice@gmmh.nhs.uk