Parkinson's Disease Research Sister / Charge Nurse

Job overview

The Research Sister/Charge Nurse role involves using an in-depth knowledge of the clinical speciality, as part of the clinical research team to support the safe conduct of research in accordance with the regulatory & legal frameworks relating to the planning, undertaking & closure of research studies & provide assurance that the rights, safety & well-being of trial participants are protected.

The post holder will be supported through a comprehensive training/competency package as appropriate to the job role and will be expected to lead the co-ordination of an agreed portfolio of commercial and non-commercial clinical trials and research studies.

The post requires the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with the research team members, clinical teams, industry partners and external regulatory bodies. It is also expected that the post holder will be flexible with hours of work as required to ensure that we are offering a service that best suits the needs of our patients.

The job holder may be required to carry out other similar or related duties within their bounds of registration which do not fall within the work outlined which may reasonably be required to deliver a comprehensive research service to our patients. The Line Manager, in consultation with the post holder will undertake any review.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

This summary contains the specific detail pertaining to the research team to which the post is attached. It does not affect the core responsibilities as listed, allowing for a core job description to be used across Specialties enabling standardisation of the nurse responsibilities.

The post holder will be employed by Research and Development Department (R&D) to work within the Neurology Research Department undertaking the EJS ACT-Parkinsons Disease trial. However, it is expected that the post holder will work flexibly across other research speciality areas as service requirements dictate throughout the duration of their contract.

They will contribute to the provision of a clinical research service based normally at the location of the employing organisation (UHCW NHS Trust), however, travel to other sites may be required as per study requirements or set out under contractual agreements for the delivery of a local cross cutting clinical research service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will manage the delivery of the EJS ACT-PD Trial at site, facilitate recruitment from under-served communities and support the trial’s delivery across less experienced sites within the Research Delivery Network region. EJS ACT-PD is a multi-arm, multi-stage platform trial assessing potential disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease. The trial will be delivered on a national scale, across approximately 40 UK sites with a 3-4 year recruitment period and 3 year treatment duration. Approximately 15 core-funded staff members in similar roles will be placed at delivery sites across the UK to form a network of dedicated delivery staff.

The post-holder will have responsibility for the recruitment of eligible participants to EJS ACT-PD, including actioning localised EDI strategies where relevant to encourage diverse participation from under-served groups. The post-holder will also be responsible for the associated data collection for participant study visits at their site, including administration of PD rater-scales (e.g., MDS-UPDRS). It is expected that the post-holder will provide trial delivery support for less experienced sites within their region where required to improve regional Parkinsons Disease research infrastructure.

• Ensure care to patients is delivered according to Trust policies and procedures and the research protocol.
• Co-ordinate the care of own case load of clinical trial / research patients in addition to oversight of junior team members caseloads.
• Work unsupervised in all areas related to clinical trials and research studies and supervise the work of junior team members.
• Attend Multi-disciplinary Meetings, and appropriate clinics, to assess volunteers/patients for eligibility for research and recruit new patients, to act as a resource to the members of the MDT.  Communicate information regarding clinical decisions to patients, carers and the MDT as required.
• Ensure that trial specific clinical investigations / procedures are undertaken as required by the research protocol in order to establish eligibility and maintain safety in the trial.
• Take relevant samples as required by the study protocol such as blood samples, package and dispatch as defined. Ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens in accordance with trial protocols and regulatory / Trust guidance.
• With relevant training and assessment of competence, working within scope of professional practice, undertake clinical procedures / administer treatments associated with the research treatment regimes.
• Ensure the safe administration of treatments and drugs that are given within the context of a clinical trial.
• Monitor treatment toxicity/side effects reporting to the relevant personnel, recording as required assisting in any required changes to treatment as required by the protocol.
• Record and report adverse events which occur whilst patient is in the clinical trial to the relevant personnel and act as required.
• Report and record serious adverse events that occur whilst the patient is being treated on a clinical trial to the trial co-coordinator/PI and relevant local personnel/regulatory authorities in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate documentation of patient’s events in nursing/medical notes. Accurately document data collected into case report forms either paper or electronically.
• Provide on-going information, education and support to patients (and their significant others) regarding clinical trials and their care.  Manage difficult and or unexpected situations arising in the clinical area (i.e., bad news).
• Provide on-going follow up care whilst patient is in the clinical trial / research studies.
• Refer to other specialists as required in order to provide optimal patient care.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the participant.
• Participate in service and policy development.
• Provide support / cover for colleagues in their absence.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.