Research Dental Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work as part of a dynamic team to provide on the ground delivery of up-to-date research that will help to shape the care of the future.

The Research Dental Nurse will work alongside the surgery research team to support the safe conduct of dental research studies. We are looking for someone who is passionate about providing the best care possible for patients and who wants to be on the cutting edge of vital patient care questions.

The team are forward thinking, always striving to engage new staff and clinical areas in research, make research accessible to all, employ continuous improvement to our practice and processes, and improve outcomes for patients across the NHS through research.

Please note that this is a fixed term post in line with current research funding available and we cannot guarantee extension beyond this time.

Main duties of the job

A key aspect of the role will be to provide a wide range of dental nursing expertise and duties to the research team, to assist in the smooth running of dental research studies and to act as a link between clinical care and research.

In this vital role you will:

Ensure patient safety and confidentiality whilst undertaking critical research projects that help to push clinical care forward.

Work in accordance with the regulatory and legal frameworks related to the planning, undertaking and closure of clinical research studies.

Assist in screening, consenting and managing the on-going care of research participants according to study protocols.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Patient care

• Reassure nervous and new patients identify where there may be communication difficulties, learning disabilities, autism or other complex medical needs •    Demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity when providing care for patients, relatives and colleagues •    Develop an approach to patients focused on care and compassion, ensuring courtesy and respect at all times  •    Assist in the selection and recruitment of participants in compliance with study inclusion/exclusion criteria by undertaking eligibility assessments •    Comply with the informed consent process as detailed in the study protocol •    For studies which are not Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (C-TIMPS) take consent in line with study protocols •    Coordinate arrangements for patients participating in clinical trials according to study protocols •    Complete participant assessments and undertake clinical tasks as required and where deemed competent to do so as per the protocol. Including but not limited to: measuring vital signs; pain assessments; venepuncture; documenting past medical history; and assisting oral surgeons/dentists in assessments and treatment procedures.  •    Under the supervision of a senior research nurse assist in the daily running of the research project •    Deliver care for the patient in line with the study protocol •    Under the supervision of a senior research nurse report all Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events in line with ICH-GCP, ISO 14155 and UHBW Adverse Events Reporting policy •    Where appropriate ensure a smooth transition from the clinical care pathway to the research pathway and back •    Be an advocate for the patient undertaking research

Communication and relationships

• Communicate effectively and efficiently with relevant clinicians, staff, professional bodies and external agencies •    Contribute to sharing good practice within the dental services •    Identify each patients medical, dental and personal needs across a range of treatments •    Communicate any deterioration in a patient’s condition to other members of the research and clinical team in a timely manner •    Work effectively and cohesively with the research team,the wider dental multidisciplinary team and support departments •    Undertake accurate, consistent abstraction of confidential, detailed data from medical records in compliance with the Data Protection Act, GDPR and Caldicott regulations •    Ensure that all record keeping is appropriate, timely and clearly understood for the purpose of patient care, safety and data integrity •    Resolve data clarification issues

Governance

• Comply with trust policies and guidelines •    Follow local standard operating procedures •    Maintain standards of practice in accordance with the legal rules and statutory regulations set out by your professional body •    Ensure that all study protocols, research governance and GCP guidelines are adhered to at all times •    Assist in the set up of research studies in accordance with all UK and EU legal requirements, trust policies and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines •    Be familiar with study protocols and their safety, regulatory and logistical issues •    Maintain a safe environment, for patients, staff and visitors, complying with the UHBW current policies and procedures, and any statutory requirements, including all Health and Safety and Clinical Governance arrangements

Management

• Raise concerns about the conduct of a study, protocol deviations or the informed consent process with senior members of the research team •    Support the auditing and monitoring of research studies •    Support the archiving of study related documentation in line with the Trial Agreement and ICH-GCP / Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations/ISO 14155 as appropriate. •    Be a champion for research within the division •    Train new staff, students and non-research staff on the study protocol and disseminate changes to the protocol via communication/training to appropriate staff members •    Train and supervise new staff members, students and non-research staff on study specific tasks such as pain assessments, eligibility assessments, medication assessments and medical history taking. •    Support the embedding of research within the division •    Support the development and updating of research policies and procedures within the team •    Support the dissemination of the results of research into clinical practice •    Maintain needed research specific stock levels and order supplies as needed

Professional Development and Education

• Develop knowledge and understanding of research design and methodology •    Attend and participate in study meetings, seminars and conferences where appropriate •    Develop skills in accordance with the UHBW/NIHR competency framework for research delivery staff appropriate to the band 5 role •    Be aware of your own role limitations, identifying own learning needs and proactively seeking educational and training opportunities to fulfil them