Research Nurse - Sexual Health & HIV

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced full-time band 6 Research Nurse to join the Research Team in Axess Sexual Health. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic Research Nurse with clinical research experience. They will be primarily based within the Liverpool Axess sexual health service although travel across our regional sites may be required. We are seeking to appoint someone who is highly motivated, caring and patient centred to co-ordinate and deliver trials across both the Genitourinary Medicine and HIV services.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering a portfolio of research studies, coordinating activities from set-up through to closure. Responsibilities include participant visits, informed consent, research data collection and management, completion of eCRFs, and ensuring studies are delivered in line with protocols, regulatory requirements and ICH-GCP. The post holder will work independently to achieve recruitment, follow-up and data completion targets.

Working with investigators, clinical teams, academic collaborators and sponsors, they will support research delivery through trial visits, venepuncture and processing of clinical samples, ECGs, specimen collection and shipment, monitoring visits, and study documentation.

The service delivers commercial and non-commercial studies, including CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs, across HIV, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, genital dermatology, women’s health and public health.

A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is essential to ensure recruitment reflects local demographics and improves access for underrepresented groups. The successful candidate will support patients who may experience stigma related to protected characteristics or health conditions, identify and resolve study delivery issues, work with sponsors and monitors, support study targets including time-to-target, and contribute to service development and junior staff support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver a portfolio of clinical research studies from study set-up through to study closure and archiving.
• Arrange, conduct and manage participant research visits in accordance with study protocols.
• Obtain informed consent from research participants and ensure ethical and regulatory compliance.
• Collect, record and manage research data, including completion of electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs).
• Deliver research studies in line with study protocols, regulatory requirements and ICH-GCP guidelines.
• Work independently to achieve recruitment, participant follow-up and data completion targets within agreed timelines.
• Collaborate with investigators, clinical teams, academic partners, sponsors and other stakeholders to support high-quality research delivery.
• Undertake participant trial procedures, including venepuncture, clinical sample collection and processing, and ECG recording.
• Coordinate specimen collection, handling, shipment and tracking in accordance with study requirements.
• Arrange, facilitate and support sponsor monitoring visits and study audits.Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date study documentation, site files and regulatory records.
• Support the delivery of both commercial and non-commercial research studies, including CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs.
• Contribute to research studies across a range of specialities including HIV, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, genital dermatology, women’s health and public health.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in research by supporting representative participant recruitment and improving access for underrepresented groups.
• Work sensitively and compassionately with patients, recognising the stigma and barriers experienced by some participant groups.
• Identify, escalate and resolve issues affecting study delivery, participant recruitment and retention.
• Liaise with sponsors and monitors to address study findings and ensure timely resolution of actions.
• Contribute to achieving study performance metrics, including recruitment targets and time-to-target objectives.
• Support, guide and share knowledge with junior colleagues and less experienced research staff.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the research service.
• Work across Axess Regional Clinic sites where necessary

Education/ Qualifications/ Training

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse with current NMC Registration
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification
• Recent NHS Clinical Research Experience

Experience/Skills

Essential

• Experience of delivering clinical research studies or trials within the NHS.
• Experience of maintaining accurate research documentation and source data.
• Competence in venepuncture, ECGs and clinical sample processing.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload across multiple studies.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic data management systems.

Desirable

• Experience of recruiting participants from underserved or underrepresented communities.
• Experience within sexual health, HIV, infectious diseases or another relevant specialty.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and Research Governance requirements.
• Understanding of clinical trial processes and research delivery pathways.
• Knowledge of informed consent procedures and participant safety requirements.
• Understanding of data protection, confidentiality and record-keeping standards.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles in research.
• Understanding of the importance of representative recruitment and equitable access to research opportunities.

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.