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

Possibilities to explore...

ENABLE 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, supporting the rest of the local team to recruit patients and run the project.

Training and support are available if you would like to become a PI. 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

ENABLE RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Clinical Academic Careers

If doing your own research and developing your research skills more formally interests you, you could consider a clinical academic career. 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 day to day clinical issues they face, and importantly they form partnerships with other academics and clinicians.

EXPLORE CLINICAL ACADEMIC CAREERS

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

BUILDING RESEARCH INTO YOUR CAREER

The ‘Research Pillar’ in your job plan

Many clinical roles now have research as part of the requirements for ongoing revalidation and progression(for example Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Consultant Practitioners, Medical Staff). However, anyone can get involved in research and improvement and make the research pillar a part of their role. This might include Clinical Audits, leading Quality Improvement projects or supporting research. Click the button below for more information or get in touch if you need help or would like to receive updates about research in practice opportunities.

EXPLORE BUILDING YOUR RESEARCH PILLAR

GET STARTED WITH RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Doing your own research project

We can support you to undertake your own research whether it is big or small. Guidance is available on designing, delivering, and sharing findings from smaller projects.

Our Research Roadmap can lead you through the approvals process. Larger projects often need grant funding, and the team can help identify the best funding stream, as well support with your application. Contact us for more information.

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.