Training & education (T&E)

Training and education (T&E) is recognised nationally across the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) clinical research infrastructure as a pivotal role to the success of operational delivery. The training and education of our team ensures staff are competent to deliver the research protocols and is fundamental in contributing to high class research that will lead to quality care and improved treatment for patients.

Our clinical research delivery team’s aim is to fully embed within directorates so that all Trust staff have a clear understanding of the role and importance of research and patients have the opportunity to take part in a range of clinical trials. Staff attend directorate meetings to engage with the wider clinical teams and events such as research cafes are held to raise awareness of research Trust-wide.

Research awareness

The T&E Team regularly provide research awareness sessions for nurses, allied healthcare professionals and students across Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (STH) and the University of Sheffield.

If you are interested in adding a bespoke session to your study day, please contact helen.wollff@nhs.net

Some feedback from people who have attended these sessions is shown below.

Feedback from Research Awareness sessions

A research awareness module (RS0001) is available on PALMS for all STH staff.

This course is ideal for new-starters and staff who have no prior knowledge or current experience of research at STH, and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

The learning objectives are to understand:

what research is and why it matters
where research is happening in the Trust
what Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is
how staff can support a patient on a clinical trial
how staff can get involved in research

Embedding research

Research champion role

One of the ways we are embedding research within our Trust has been through our Research Champion roles.

The Research Champion role is an opportunity for clinical staff with a passion for research to contribute to creating an environment which promotes engagement in research. This role is a key link between the research team, clinical staff and all service users and as such, is a vital support in meeting the overall aim to embed research and innovation alongside clinical care, and broaden and encourage staff involvement in line with the following strategic plans:

As an advocate for good practice, the research champion will promote patient choice to be involved in research, working closely with the research team to share knowledge and information pertaining to current studies.

The T&E Team will support training for the role, organise time in the research area, provide updates and promote links with other champions and research colleagues alongside the Trust Research Matron.

Further information for healthcare professionals interested in research can be found on the Clinical Research & Innovation Office website.

Meet the Training & Education (T&E) Team

Helen Wollff

Training and Education (T&E) Lead

Rose Kirk

Clinical Educator

Helen Wollff

Training & Education (T&E) Lead

As the Clinical Research T&E Lead, my role is to work in partnership with key staff in the Sheffield Clinical Research Facilities, Cancer Clinical Trials Centre, and Trust and academic directorates to provide an extensive educational programme for the research community within STH and the wider region.

My responsibilities are to:

oversee induction, mandatory and research specific training
facilitate staff development using competency pathways and increasing access to research training opportunities
link with local and national training and education, governance and quality groups including higher education institutions
organise and support placements for students and staff from all areas
contribute to the development of national resources as a member of the UKCRF Network Education Group
promote research awareness throughout the Trust, locally and nationally
line manage the T&E Team
support the clinical research team leaders

The overall aim is to further develop a resilient and highly skilled workforce to open research opportunities to everyone.

Rose Kirk

Clinical Educator

Working closely with the T&E Lead, as the Clinical Educator my role is to support the training and education of the research team to ensure staff have the right skills to deliver a range of research protocols.

The role is varied in that I support staff within the CRF but also across the wider research infrastructure. I identify the training pathways for individual staff and support them while they complete the required competencies.

I also work alongside staff on their own studies and support them to put into practice the protocols and study schedules, sharing knowledge and experience to build their confidence in their new role.

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