Research Associate, Faculty of Health Sciences

The role

This is a fixed term role for 11 months to investigate how remote monitoring of vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, oxygen saturations, alertness, function) could be used by clinicians working in general practice to assess and monitor someone with acute illness, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. There is some existing data on the use of remote monitoring for people with chronic disease, such as telemetry. NHS guidelines discusses the use of remote monitoring of oxygen saturation for people with suspected Covid-19 (see Pulse oximetry to detect early deterioration of patients with COVID-19 in primary and community care settings https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/pulse-oximetry-to-detect-early-deterioration-of-patients-with-covid-19-in-primary-and-community-care-settings/ ). This research aims to build an evidence base for the safe and efficient use of remote monitoring in general practice, at pace. The proposed objectives are:

1. To do a systematic review to identify the current evidence for self-evaluation of vital signs, or evaluation of vital signs by care-givers
2. To conduct qualitative interviews to provide further evidence about the potential opportunities and challenges for this field.
3. To develop an application for further research grants to pursue the work

What will I be doing?

You will draw on experience of postgraduate research or equivalent work experience to investigate the use of remote assessment of vital signs for people in general practice, under the supervision of an experienced health sciences researcher. You will be involved in data generation and collection using standard and well-defined methods developed with close support from your line manager. You will use initiative and creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes, co-ordinate your work with others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project. You may participate in activities to achieve engagement with research and/or impact beyond academia.

You should apply if

• You have an honours degree (or equivalent) with subject knowledge in the relevant area and some research experience.
• You are able to show evidence of well-developed analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly, both orally and through the written word
• You have the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, solve problems with initiative and creativity, and organise your own time and work, to meet deadlines, and manage competing priorities.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed term for 11 months

Work pattern: 28 hours per week /0.8FTE

Grade: I

Salary: £33,797-per annum pro rata

School/Unit: Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences

Shift pattern: N/A

This advert will close at23:59 GMTTuesday 1st December 2020.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.