Research Champions

Thank you for taking an interest in the research champion role

For more information, or to register your interest, please contact Lucy Lewis (research nurse) on: lucy.lewis@nhs.net

or email our generic research mailbox: wih-tr.ResearchDepartment@nhs.net

About the role

Encouraging a research-positive culture in healthcare organisations is important to give patients wider access to clinical research and improve patient care and treatment options. Evidence shows clinically research-active hospitals have better patient care outcomes. You will be a champion for research within your clinical area, ensuring patients have the best opportunity to find out about or take part in research. You will work towards raising the profile of research within your clinical area and work directly with research teams to embed research into clinical care.

Research Champion Role

• Ensure clinical teams are aware of research going on in your area and how to access research services
• Assist with training of clinical staff regarding their responsibilities for studies to ensure patient safety.
• Assist in identifying patients potentially suitable for studies in your area
• Develop good research communication skills
• Ensure patients have the opportunity to find out about/ participate in research
• Work with the multidisciplinary and research teams
• Improve/develop links and pathways of effective communication between research teams and clinical areas
• Assist with embedding research in to clinical care
• Seeks opportunities for personal and cross team learning

Expectations of your role:

• Act as point of contact for clinical team members with research questions, and provide ongoing liaison between research study team and clinical team to support research delivery
• Assist research team to maintain research resources (if relevant to your clinical area)
• Support the collection of research data (study dependant)
• Support the dissemination of research findings within your area
• Attend meetings and education sessions to build personal knowledge and skills, and to be updated on new studies and changes to current studies
• Have a basic awareness of GCP guidelines (training provided)

How will you be supported as a Research Champion:

• Regular contact and support from local research Teams and the Research and Innovation department
• Opportunity to undertake Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training
• Regular contact with other research links across the trust
• Opportunity to attend research training, as appropriate.