PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS

Research in your career

There are a number of different ways to bring research into your career, from using evidence daily to helping support studies to having a Clinical Academic role.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Pathways to explore...

Support patient access to research

EXPLORE

The ‘Research Pillar’ in your job plan

Many clinical roles now have research as part of the requirements for ongoing revalidation and progression. It is one of their ‘pillars’ (for example Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Consultant Practitioners, Medical Staff). There are many ways in which you can do this, from Clinical Audits, leading Quality Improvement projects or supporting research. If you need ideas or help, get in touch.

ENABLING RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Support patient access to research

Many of the studies that we run are developed by research teams around the country, and hosted by local clinical services. Patients or participants are invited to take part in research via their clinicians or research staff working along side them. You can be involved by helping identify patients, explaining studies to them, and even taking consent.

Take a look at the current studies we're running and recruiting for, or get in touch with the Research team for more information: research@solent.nhs.uk

In my role as health advisor I am continually having conversations with service users around risk,
behaviours, and anxieties involving their sexual health, especially in acquiring HIV. I supported my service users to take part in the PrEP Impact Trial (a prophylaxis medicine people at risk for HIV can take to prevent infection). It allowed me to offer additional ways to empower those I speak to, in negotiating, achieving and enjoying the type of sex life they want - the trial was so successful it is now part of standard care.

- Michelle, Sexual Health Advisor

LEAD RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Be the local lead for a study

You can also take the local lead role for a study by becoming a Principal Investigator (PI). PIs oversee the study delivery within Solent, and support the rest of the local team.

We give full training and ongoing support for all of our PIs, take a look at our research training opportunities or contact the Research team for more information: research@solent.nhs.uk

My objectives are to support, inspire and develop future researchers, build research capacity and ensure that we are in a strong position to apply for and be granted research funding. I have been co-applicant on two successful NIHR funded projects and a Principal Investigator on another, investigating the clinical and cost effectiveness of two commonly used pain interventions. The first trial led to improvements in techniques in the management of sciatica. We have already reduced variation in the technique in the UK through development of a consensus document on the technique and further training.

- Cathy, Consultant in Pain Management

SUPPORTING RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Research delivery careers

A research delivery career is a great way to get involved in health and social care research. As a research nurse or allied health professional, a clinical research assistant, a research governance officer or facilitator, you can be part of a team that helps to bring new research opportunities to people using Solent services.

A research delivery career involves working alongside researchers to assess whether it is feasible to run their study within our services, helping to set up how the study will run and confirming we have the capacity and the capability to undertake the project. You may then be involved in identifying suitable patients, seeking their consent to be involved, collecting data or delivering new interventions.

Whatever your role within a research delivery team, you work closely with clinical colleagues and patients promoting a culture of improvement through research and sharing learning from projects which may have a real impact on patient care.

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I have the privilege of being both an NHS Podiatrist and an academic in the University of Southampton. Being in both worlds means that I understand and can quickly highlight the needs of service users or staff, and then bring people and resources together to improve things. I also work with students which means that our future clinicians learn about current challenges and the cutting edge of patient care.

- Lindsey, Podiatrist and Academic

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN ACADEMIA

Clinical Academic Careers

A Clinical Academic Nurse or Allied Health Professional (AHP) is typically a clinically active health researcher. They work in the NHS as clinicians while in parallel researching new ways of delivering better outcomes for the patients that they treat. As they remain clinically active, their research is grounded in the day to day clinical issues they deal with, and importantly they form partnerships with other academics and clinicians.

Whilst the emphasis is often on research, people in these roles are curious, critical and creative. They drive quality improvement programmes, use analytical and research skills to question, investigate, research and innovate to accelerate improved clinical care.

The best way to get started on a clinical academic career is to join our Research Development Programme. There are also a range of funding opportunities for those who would like to have dedicated time for research.

For more information about clinical academic roles in the NHS, please take a look at this useful toolkit from AUKUH.

RELATED TO RESEARCH