Clinical Research Nurse

Job overview

Clinical Research Nurse/ Staff Nurse Band 5-6 development; Agile Clinical Research Nurse Team and Clinical Research Facility. If you believe that nursing is about making a real difference to patient’s lives then clinical research can provide a stimulating and rewarding career for you. An exciting opportunity is available within the NIHR Clinical Research Facility and Agile Research Nursing Team. This Band 5-6 development role is ideal for a motivated registered nurse seeking a career in clinical research across varied specialties and studies. Within the Agile Team, you will provide flexible support across Research & Innovation, working with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality research and improve patient access to innovative treatments and studies. Within the NIHR Clinical Research Facility, you will support trial delivery, assessments, treatments and data collection. Both teams offer a structured competency programme to develop research and cancer nursing expertise while coordinating safe, compassionate, patient-centred care. Strong communication, organisation and time management skills are essential for delivering safe, quality care, collaborating across teams, building effective relationships and managing competing priorities. Both roles offer the opportunity to develop specialist research skills and contribute to improved patient outcomes. If you are passionate about innovation, learning and excellent patient care, we would welcome your application.

Main duties of the job

Both roles will deliver a diverse portfolio of studies, provide high-quality care and support recruitment, retention, data collection, query resolution and protocol amendments throughout the participant journey. Working with multidisciplinary teams, you will protect participants’ safety, rights and wellbeing in line with research governance, ICH-GCP, Trust policies and regulatory requirements. You will use participant feedback and experience measures to improve research delivery and participant experience. You will promote research nursing through awareness, engagement and education, sharing best practice and supporting a positive research culture. You will support departmental, Trust and national research priorities, helping deliver studies that improve outcomes, practice and innovation, with opportunities for development and collaboration across specialties. An ability to work evenings, night shifts and weekends is a requirement of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Clinical Research Nurse/ Staff Nurse Band 5-6 development

Clinical Research Co-ordination

• Work under supervision in all areas of practice relating to clinical research.
• Understand and deliver care in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols.
• Understand the process for obtaining NHS permissions (R&D approval) and for conducting clinical trials at site.
• Has an awareness of the requirement to ensure that all clinical trial activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Support the research team with the conduct of studies within set competencies and in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols.
• Attend clinical trial related meetings where appropriate.

Clinical Service and Professional Responsibilities

• With the oversight of a senior clinical research nurse understand protocol design and be able to deliver care in accordance with a clinical trial protocol.
• Support patients and their carers when receiving complex and sensitive information in relation to their treatment and prognosis.
• Demonstration of research knowledge when caring for patients receiving treatment within the context of a clinical trial protocol.
• Report incidents using hospital systems and be aware of appropriate health and safety policies to refer as required.
• To act as a contact point for the clinical trial patients and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Responsible for maintenance and development of professional knowledge and practice by attending mandatory and specialist training in accordance with local policy.
• Deliver care in accordance with trial protocol, local policy, NMC Code of Practice Conduct, GCP and current best practice.
• Maintenance of a high-quality service by: - The safe administration of all licensed and unlicensed medicinal products within the context of a clinical trial. - The assessment and evaluation of treatment toxicities + escalation of concerns as appropriate
• Assist in the provision of education and support for non-research staff in the delivery of protocol driven treatment for all patients.
• Participate in monitoring and audit activities within research team as required
• Have an awareness of the risk assessment process in relation to clinical trials.

Personal Education, Training and Development

• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge and practice through a process of appraisal, reflective practice and personal development planning.
• Support senior colleagues in raising awareness of the role of the clinical research nurse as an integral part of the healthcare system.
• Maintain awareness of current advances in cancer treatments, research and nursing practice thereby maintaining the highest standard of care for patients with cancer and implementing evidence-based care by continuing professional development.
• Participation in trust-wide education programmes and study days.
• Obtain clinical supervision as appropriate.
• To keep up to date with departmental, Trust, UK and EU developments for the management of clinical research ensuring timely, effective implementation of changes.
• Attendance at team and clinical research nurse meetings.

Staff Management and Development

• Support the development of specialist study days within own research team.
• Assist in the provision of specialist education and training in relation to clinical trials to all key stakeholders including student nurses.
• Disseminate information by attendance and /or presentations at meetings where appropriate.
• Contribute to the development of members of the research team
• Participate in appraisals (own and others) and work to achieve personal objectives

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : Agile Clinical Research Nurse Team and Clinical Research Facility

• Be responsible for the safe care and well-being of research patients in their care.
• Demonstrate research knowledge when caring for patients receiving treatment within the context of a clinical trial protocol.
• Deliver care in accordance with trial protocol, hospital policy, NMC Code of Conduct, GCP guidelines and current best practice.
• Perform procedures required of the role and be prepared to learn new skills relevant to the role.
• Report incidents using hospital systems and be aware of appropriate health and safety policies to refer to as required.
• Administer both infusion and bolus chemotherapy via established central lines and peripheral cannula in line with Trust policies.
• The safe administration of all licensed and unlicensed medicinal products within the context of a clinical trial.
• Provide a supportive role within the Unit for nursing, medical and clerical staff.
• Undertake nursing care of patients, ensuring privacy & dignity is maintained whilst being aware of physical and psychological needs
• To give a clear and accurate update at change of duties and ensure accurate documentation of nursing interventions
• Ensure patients are seen in a timely fashion, liaising closely with the unit co-ordinator, medical staff, specialist and research nurses, bed manager and other staff as appropriate.
• To liaise as needed with referring hospitals, GP’s and community nursing teams.
• Support and assist in the induction / training of junior staff / health care assistant’s/ student nurses acting as mentor to designated staff.
• To highlight areas of improvement/development within the department and undertake relevant projects
• Assist in the provision of meals / refreshments for patients.
• Assist in the general housekeeping duties of the unit
• Help to maintain a safe environment and report faults / risks etc. to the nurse in charge.
• Correct care and custody of controlled drugs and aid the safe storage of medicines as appropriate.

EDUCATION TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Complete ward introductory pack and preceptor pack.
• Complete relevant core clinical skills training as directed by practice facilitator and senior nursing team.
• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge and practice through a process of appraisal, reflective practice and personal development planning.
• Maintain awareness of current advances in cancer treatments, research and nursing practice implementing evidence based care through continuing professional development.
• Participation in trust-wide education programmes and study days.
• Attend all mandatory study days as per Trust and unit guidance.

PERSONAL

• Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote a good working relationship
• Show professional and courteous manner when answering the telephone and other enquires
• Maintain confidentiality with regard to patient information both at work and outside of working hours
• To be aware of and adhere to all policies including; sickness and absence, confidentiality, uniform and responsibilities under the Health and Safety at work act and be familiar with all risk assessments pertinent to the unit.
• Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy
• To be aware of limitations and utilise the preceptor system for any issues that arise
• To show respect for members of the team and endorse the unit’s philosophy of giving mutual support.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.