Lead Research Nurse – CRN Operational Delivery

Job overview

Fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity until 31st December 2027

Do you have a passion for research? Are you looking to work in a flexible team, playing a key role in managing research delivery teams and a portfolio of research studies?

NNUH typically has 300 active research studies ongoing at any one time.  These studies can be funded by grants and led by NNUH investigators or ‘hosted’ studies contributing to national studies led by other NHS, academic or commercial organisations.  There is a large multi-professional research delivery team, many of whom are supported by funding from the National Institute of Health and care Research Delivery Network (NIHR RDN).

The post holder will manage staff supported by NIHR RDN funding and will focus on studies in women’s and paediatric health and other specialities such as cardiology, dermatology, stroke and neurology.

NNUH research aims to improve treatment and care of patients here at NNUH and beyond. The ideal candidate will be dedicated and recognise the goal’s significance, as well as the importance of the Trust PRIDE values.

This post would suit an organised individual, happy to work part of a wider team, in particular alongside two other Lead Research Nurse and be passionate about working with Care Groups to embed research into clinical care.

If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will be responsible for the day to day operational management and delivery of NNUH research supported by the National Institute of Health and care Research Delivery Network (NIHR RDN).  They will ensure an efficient and flexible research delivery service and line manage multiprofessional RDN teams (nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, non-regulated staff).

The post-holder will contribute to RDN collaborative initiatives ensuring a proactive and supportive role of NNUH within local and regional RDN hubs and develop strategies and initiatives that either facilitate NNUH research, contribute to NNUH influencing research or where NNUH can provide valuable expertise and support.

As a key member of the NNUH’s Research and Development Senior Leadership Team, they will contribute to the strategic development of NNUH research portfolio by developing the service and helping maintain a portfolio of high quality RDN studies, particularly non-commercial research completed to time and target.

The post holder will work with clinical teams to embed research within clinical care and will develop and support initiatives that provide opportunities for NNUH patients to participate in research.  The post holder will be an excellent communicator including within own team, research services and research active NNUH staff and will be able to work flexibility around changing demands and proactively seek collaboration and support other NNUH research delivery teams.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Be responsible for the day to day operational management of CRN supported research including research undertaken in the Clinical Research and Trials Unit.
• Provide line management to CRN supported research delivery staff at NNUH.
• Ensure efficient deployment of CRN research delivery resources to meet service  needs and that staff rostering meets research demands, is cost effective, within the CRN budget and adheres to Trust policies and procedures.
• Develop the CRN workforce including development of existing and new staffing structures for research nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and non-regulated staff that reflect the need for a flexible research workforce able to respond to rapidly changing demands.
• Ensure CRN research delivery staff are deployed effectively to support NNUH hosted, non-commercial studies encouraging close alignment and embedding within divisional clinical teams.
• Work closely with senior colleagues in R&D, the Associate Medical Director for Research to ensure the provision of CRN staff to effectively deliver research covering all complexities across NNUH’s non-commercial CRN portfolio, with the skill mix in each research area being adequate to deliver according to the NIHR key performance indicators.
• Be key contributor to CRN led collaborative initiatives ensuring a proactive and supportive role of NNUH within local and regional CRN hubs

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.