The Research Champions Programme is a collaboration between Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and CHSS. It provides students with an opportunity to develop their own evidence based practice, identify recommendations for clinical practice and/or service improvement, and highlight areas for future research.
There are 10 places for KCHFT staff and 6 for local participating organisations. Backfill costs are provided by the employing organisation to enable Champions to study approximately two days/month over the academic year. The programme is suitable to those who want to increase their skills in addressing clinical practice questions, aligned to organisational/clinical priorities. Applicants must:
- be a health or social care professional employed in a clinical, patient-facing role
- have an employment contract with the employing organisation for the programme’s duration
Champions undertake a variety of workshops and research experience opportunities with support from an academic supervisor and clinical mentor. Champions can choose to apply for 15 Level 7 (Masters) credits by submitting a literature review and poster abstract.
Previous Champions have gone on to complete master’s degrees, NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic Programme internships, submit funding bids and present their work at both local and national conferences.