Employer Information
How will your organisation benefit from staff doing these qualifications?
These qualifications will give learners the confidence and opportunity to become involved in clinical research delivery, allowing them to undertake leadership research roles such as a Co-Investigator or Principal Investigator.
The benefits health research has on the health and quality of life of the population are well known, from the discovery of penicillin to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evidence shows that clinically research-active organisations have better patient care outcomes, a happier workforce and benefit the health and care system overall. More information can be found on the NIHR's embedding a research culture page.
To read more about how research is improving health and care, please read the NIHR's making a difference stories.
Rachel Thompson [Learner] “It's not just been an academic process... The Research Practice module… has really motivated me to develop our own Respiratory Advisory Group, which I'm currently in the process of setting up with a colleague. And I probably would never have even thought about doing that before the course and I certainly wouldn't have had the knowledge, or the confidence to do it.”
Care Quality Commission requirements
Research participation is included in the Care Quality Commission’s Well-led sources of evidence for healthcare providers. Therefore, it is important that organisations are able to demonstrate that they participate in appropriate research projects.
What is the career path for Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework qualifications?
The qualifications will give learners the confidence and the opportunity to become involved in the delivery of clinical research, ultimately allowing them to undertake leadership roles in clinical research delivery, such as a Co-Investigator or Principal Investigator (PI).
Providing training and mentoring for aspiring leaders of clinical research delivery is key to protecting patient safety and ensuring the effective use of resources. To meet this need, the qualifications include practical, workplace-based modules that enable learners to take part in existing research studies, whilst being supported by the supervision and mentorship of a senior researcher.
This approach allows learners to integrate into ongoing streams of networked research, providing meaningful engagement with high quality research. It enables them to forge sustainable contacts with a network of clinician researchers to continue their involvement with networked research after completing their qualification, allowing them to lead and deliver clinical research in everyday clinical settings.
How can I support learners in my organisation?
Pre-application
Learners need to have sufficient time to complete the course so we recommend you agree what, if any, time will be allowed for studying within the learner’s contracted hours before they apply.
Some learners may also need help to find a suitable workplace-based supervisor to support them with the workplace-based Research Practice Experience module.
During the course
It is important to allow learners to flex their working commitments around the needs of the course, which may include allowing them time to dedicate to research delivery, supporting study leave and providing backfill for clinical posts. Learners will also benefit from being linked with local and national research network colleagues.
Who can supervise the workplace-based Research Practice Experience module?
A workplace based supervisor should be passionate about clinical research and want to grow their team or clinical research within their organisation.
They should have suitable experience in clinical research delivery and be able to find learners various face to face or remote shadowing opportunities to develop their research skills. For further information, please refer to the RPE Supervisor Information page of this website.
How can I support Research Practice Experience workplace-based supervisors in my organisation?
It is important to allow workplace-based supervisors the time they need to supervise their learners. On average, roughly 1 hour per week is needed for supervision.
E-learning materials to support workplace-based supervisors are available on NIHR Learn so they will also need to be allowed time to access these.
Learners can also be supported by other members of the research delivery team, under the supervision/direction of their workplace-based supervisor.
How can I help to promote the Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework?
If you would like to promote the Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework within your organisation, please print off and display this PDF poster.
