BHSCT Deputy Lead Cancer Clinical Research Nurse (Band 7)

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: CANCER CENTRE
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 08/09/26
• Closes: Tue, 22 September 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To Be Confirmed

Notes

Important Information : We accept online applications only. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

Job description

The Deputy Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) assists the Lead Clinical Research Nurse/NICTN Manager with the day–to-day management of the NICTN CRN team based at the Belfast HSC Trust (BHSCT).

The post holder will also be required to look at performance management with regard to activity, capacity and NICTN portfolio development to ensure patient safety, high quality care and delivery of targets.

The NICTN is the focus for the development, administration, management and delivery of oncology/haematology clinical research in Northern Ireland.

The post holder will co-ordinate and develop the NICTN CRN Team based in BHSCT.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Assists the Lead Clinical Research Nurse/NICTN Manager.
• Responsible for the provision of day-to-day management of NICTN CRNs based at BHSCT.
• Responsible for the management of leave requests and other absences to maintain the smooth running of clinical trials within the NICTN at BHSCT.
• Assists the Lead Clinical Research Nurse/NICTN Manager to co-ordinate staff induction programmes for CRNs.
• Involved in the annual Staff Development Review (SDR) of CRNs based in BHSCT.
• Facilitate staff development and personal development plans and revalidation as appropriate.
• Work alongside the CRNs to ensure recruitment to and successful delivery of the NICTN portfolio.
• Monitor NICTN activity and identify inhibiting or promoting factors in clinical research activity.
• Support staff to share best practice and devise strategies to resolve barriers to increasing clinical trial activity.
• Facilitate teamwork, communications and staff morale, highlighting progress and problems and identifying problem solving approaches.
• Liaise with NICTN Lead Clinical Research Nurse/NICTN Manager on a regular basis.
• Deputise in the absence of the NICTN Lead Clinical Research Nurse/NICTN Manager.
• Promote the role of cancer CRNs through formal and informal education among multi-professional staff, public, visiting professionals and organisations, meetings and conferences.
• Provide education and raise awareness through academic courses, placements and induction programmes.
• Promote the specialist nursing function in clinical research nursing, facilitating leadership, reflective and innovative practice, education, audit and research.
• Act as a role model and resource in clinical research nursing.
• Develop, in consultation, research nursing policies, procedures and standard operating procedures for NICTN.
• Apply appropriate process in notification of incidents or faults.
• Adhere to Trust and NICTN policies and procedures, informing workforce planning and resource needs and strategy.
• Monitor and record mandatory training and study leave and liaise with appropriate training departments.
• Act as mentor to staff.
• Act as a resource regarding a portfolio of clinical trial protocols and provide education about the CRN role and the clinical research process to hospital personnel and visitors to the NICTN.
• Provide formal and informal education sessions to nursing students and staff on placement to NICTN.
• Expand specialist nursing knowledge in oncology/haematology, disease interest and clinical research.
• Attend and contribute to research seminars/presentations and staff meetings in cancer services, or at Trust or Regional levels.
• Attend national and international educational events, as appropriate, and provide evaluation and feedback to NICTN.
• Pursue nursing research evidence and identify relevant research questions related to patient and nursing issues.
• Develop nursing research protocols or practice guidelines as appropriate.
• Perform or facilitate nursing research, as appropriate.
• Develop conference posters and presentations as appropriate.
• Actively promote an expanding clinical trial portfolio in the NICTN, identifying opportunities and challenges according to feasibility/resources.
• Contribute to local and regional protocol and portfolio review and strategy as appropriate.
• Contribute to in-house protocol development on issues relating to patient and clinical research nursing/nursing activities, patient information, quality of life assessment and data collection/management.
• Contribute to the evaluation of new protocols in relation to design, methods, practicality, ethics, feasibility and patient selection.
• Consent patients, as appropriate, in relation to nurse-led protocols or procedures.
• Facilitate the informed consent process for other clinical trials, therapies or procedures according to guidelines and ethical and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
• May co-ordinate clinical trials as Primary/Associate CRN, liaising closely with the Chief/Principal/Associate Investigators and Associate CRN throughout the duration of each study.
• Assist the Investigator in preparation of documentation for the research governance process.
• Liaise with clinical and department staff in preparation for study implementation.
• In multi-centre studies, liaise with the Clinical Research Associate (CRA) or Trial Co-ordinator as appropriate and maintain ongoing communication.315? Attend Investigator meetings as appropriate and contribute to national and international trial education and discussion.315? Develop schedules and checklists of protocol activities, screening, treatment, testing and data collection proforma.315? Develop protocol-specific study packs to facilitate recruitment.315? Co-ordinate and participate in site selection visits and protocol initiation meetings.315? Provide education to nursing and medical staff regarding new protocols and updates as required, including amendments and findings.315? Contribute to meetings with in-patient and out-patient staff to discuss research issues arising and incoming study activity.315? Facilitate disease site-specific portfolio/trial review meetings with Investigators.315? Ensure adequate supplies of documents, equipment and laboratory supplies for performance of the study.315? Identify and track potential trial patients when appropriate.315? Maintain screening logs and site records as required.315? Confirm patient eligibility and assist in scheduling screening investigations.315? Perform patient registration and randomisation procedures as appropriate.315? Ensure hospital records meet requirements for Case Report Form (CRF) completion and liaise with the data manager regarding further data processing, delivery and storage as appropriate.315? Perform CRF completion and data management as appropriate.315? Ensure safe filing and storage of research-related documentation.315? Ensure safe storage of blood, tissue or other biological samples required for the research.315? Ensure maintenance of equipment required in research as appropriate.315? Co-ordinate Quality of Life assessments and other symptom assessment aspects of the protocol as required.315? Monitor patient recruitment, discuss recruitment problems and strategies with the investigator and provide feedback at team meetings.315? Collect and document treatment toxicity and notify appropriate internal and external bodies where serious adverse events or incidents arise.315? Devise weekly appointment schedules for caseload patients, including out-patient and Day Hospital attendances, in-patient admissions, community and GP visits and peripheral hospital protocol-related attendances.315? Facilitate and review protocol compliance at all stages of the trial.315? Produce reports on patient profiles, trial recruitment and treatment toxicity as necessary.315? Comply with and promote GCP and Research Governance Standards for clinical trials and maintain GCP training according to Clinical Trials legislation.315? Facilitate CRA during monitoring meetings as required.315? Facilitate end-of-study visits as required.315? Assist in audit and quality assurance procedures and meetings.315? Devise other operations or communication pathways as required for the effective co-ordination of the study, in liaison with the NICTN Lead Clinical Research Nurse/Network Manager, NICTN team and study investigator.315? Provide the current approved Patient Information Sheet as part of the informed consent process.315? Explain study procedures, treatment and research terminology in lay terms where possible.315? Explain the risks and benefits associated with participation in the clinical trial, including treatment, procedures, time and inconveniences involved.315? Involve the patient's family/carers as appropriate.315? Explain the patient’s rights in a research setting.315? Provide contact information to allow patients to ask questions and discuss options.315? Assess patient understanding and capability to consent.315? Liaise with the investigator and at all times act as patient advocate.315? Following written consent, assess the patient's ongoing wishes to continue participation in the study.315? Act as an ongoing primary contact and resource for the patient throughout the duration of the study intervention and follow-up as appropriate.315? Provide easy access/contact for patients in clinical trials by telephone/bleep and promote regular communication.315? Educate patients regarding treatments and possible side-effects, facilitating treatment compliance and the patient's understanding.315? Raise awareness of the patient’s process for reporting side-effects and receiving medical care or advice as appropriate during the study.315? Assess the patient at each treatment visit and monitor side-effects, taking appropriate steps to maximise patient safety and quality of life and minimise toxicity.315? Monitor patient well-being by telephone as necessary.315? Monitor patient test results and liaise with the Investigator or clinical team as necessary.315? Assess patient care needs and refer or liaise with members of the multi-professional team as appropriate.315? Participate in administering protocol treatments or tests when appropriate and competent to do so.315? Develop appropriate education and clinical, research, support and counselling skills as necessary within the role to meet patient and family needs at all stages of the clinical research process.315? Stop study therapy where the patient's condition, treatment, protocol, preference or new evidence indicates this is in the patient's best interest.315? Ensure appropriate blood, tissue and other biological samples are collected from patients as per patient consent and protocol schedule.315? Provide appropriate care of the patient's venous access device when collecting samples.315? Process blood, tissue and other biological samples as per protocol.315? Centrifuge blood and prepare appropriate aliquots of serum or plasma as directed by protocol.315? Prepare all samples for storage, shipping or posting.315? Ensure safe maintenance of appropriate laboratory equipment, supplies and specimens.315? Comply with hospital policies and COSHH guidelines as appropriate.315? Meet regularly with the NICTN Lead Clinical Research Nurse/Network Manager and participate in annual SDR.315? Act as a reflective practitioner and maintain personal action plans.315? Seek to develop appropriate practice, research, networking and leadership skills and opportunities.315? Seek to promote evidence-based practice in research nursing and facilitate and contribute to research and evidence development.315? Ensure NMC revalidation requirements are fulfilled.

Person specification

Experience Qualifications Registration

• Essential: RGN/Part 1 (Adult) of NMC Register
• Essential: Have or be in the process of acquiring a first level degree in a health related subject.
• Essential: Evidence of post basic education in cancer or research related subject.
• Essential: Experience in Cancer Clinical Research Nursing at Band 6
• Essential: Competent in venepuncture.
• Essential: Minimum 3 years post registration experience in Oncology/Haematology Nursing (Including chemotherapy experience).
• Desirable: Staff management experience
• Desirable: Oncology/haematology course of at least 6 months.
• Desirable: Evidence of leadership and practice development within cancer clinical research nursing.

Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Essential: Ability to work unsupervised.
• Essential: Competence in computer skills.
• Essential: Flexibility to work hours required to do the job.
• Essential: Ability to work as part of a team.
• Essential: Self-motivated and demonstrates a drive and enthusiasm for high quality standards and the goals on NICTN.
• Essential: Ability to act as excellent role model for cancer clinical research nursing setting high standards in practice and demonstrating good leadership and management skills.
• Essential: Flexibility to work throughout cancer services relating to NICTN
• Essential: Evidence of satisfactory attendance and ability to meet the demands of the post
• Essential: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Essential: Good organisational skills and demonstrates attention to detail