Clinical Research Nurse

Job overview

We are looking for a highly motivated nurse to join the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team (ECMT) at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. ECMT supports a growing portfolio of early phase research studies both commercial and investigator led, including first in human drug trials. The post holder will work alongside a team of physicians, research nurses & clinical trial administrators on a portfolio of trials providing support to patients, administering trial treatments & carrying out trial assessments for patients on study.

Research nursing is an exciting and developing role, supported through the R&I division with a good education and development package in place to ensure that staff reach their potential.

Central to this role is the responsibility of assessing and managing the care pathways including the delivery of all specified treatments for participants in research within a multidisciplinary team. Key responsibilities of the post include the coordination of the trial protocols and support for cancer patients.

A background in oncology, flexibility in working, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience in clinical research would be desirable but not essential. An informal discussion about the post is strongly recommended with the possibility to spend some time with the team to understand better the requirement of the role.

Please note this advert may close earlier if adequate number of applicants.

Main duties of the job

The CRN will be involved in every stage of the portfolio activities including feasibility reviews of new clinical trial opportunities, set-up and activation of new trials, patient recruitment and management, supporting team with data query resolution, reviewing protocol amendments, providing patient-centred insights to the research delivery team by supporting both the patients and the team through all aspects of clinical research of the portfolio.

With support from the team the CRN will ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the patients is maintained within the requirement of the multi-regulatory frameworks for clinical research ensuring compliance with ICH/GCP standards and Trust SOPs.

Line management responsibility for junior staff including supporting them in ensuring research data is collected with compliance to GCP and other regulatory legislation.

Raise the profile of the clinical research nurse and clinical trials within the trust by engaging in promotional events relating to clinical research with attendance and contributions at local, national, and international meetings.

Demonstrate awareness and contribution to divisional, Trust and national objectives and strategies.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Research Co-ordination

• Work autonomously 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) for conducting clinical trials at site. As project lead, ensure permissions are in place prior to any patient recruitment.
• Participate in clinical trial feasibilities and risk assessments of clinical trial protocols.
• Ensure all clinical trial activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Awareness of trial specific, regional and national targets. Identify and implement strategies for recruiting patients to clinical trials ensuring that targets for patient recruitment are delivered.
• Delegation and oversight of research related activities to research team members (clinical and administrative) and ensure compliance with SOPs and ICH/GCP.
• Arrange and facilitate clinical trial related meetings.
• Involvement in appropriate financial remunerations for clinical trial activity.

Clinical Service and Professional Responsibilities

• Assimilation of highly complex information relating to clinical trials and communication to patients at a level appropriate to their understanding. Ensure highly sensitive information is communicated to patients, relatives, and carers regarding prognosis
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of specialist care pathways in conjunction with appropriate personnel.
• Demonstration of expert knowledge in specialist area to maintain clinical excellence.
• Demonstrate awareness of divisional and trust strategic objectives including performance indicators and metrics.
• Escalation of governance issues impacting on delivery of job purpose.
• To act as a primary contact point for the clinical trial patients and act as adviser to other health care professionals.
• Responsibility for maintenance and development of professional knowledge and practice by attending mandatory and specialist training in accordance with local policy.
• Ensuring care delivery standards in accordance with trial protocol, local policy, NMC Code of Practice Conduct and current best practice.
• Development and maintenance of a high-quality service by:
• Overseeing the safe administration of all licensed and unlicensed medicinal products within the context of a clinical trial.
• Overseeing assessment and evaluation of treatment toxicities and initiation of appropriate intervention.
• Contribute to development of specialist Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines.
• Provide 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
• To carry out non-medical prescribing within scope of professional practice and in accordance with local policies and procedures and national legislation (optional and depending on clinical service needs).

Personal Education, Training and Development

• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge and practice through a process of appraisal and personal development planning.
• Promote the role of the clinical research nurse as an integral part of the healthcare system.
• Increase and 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 divisional meeting

Staff Management and Development

• To Support the Senior Clinical Research Nurse in the induction and continued supervision of junior members of staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory compliance and legislation.
• 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.
• Disseminate information by attendance and /or presentations at local, national and international conferences/meetings
• Contribute to the development of members of the research team

EU DIRECTIVE ICH/GCP

All personnel involved in clinical research have a responsibility to ensure that clinical trials are conducted in accordance with the EU Directive and ICH/GCP.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.