Senior Research Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen at The Royal Marsden to work within the Head and Neck unit as a Senior Research nurse. The unit is recognised worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating cancers of the head and neck. The Royal Marsden has now also become the world’s first International Centre for Recurrent Head & Neck Cancer (IReC). IReC has an ambitious aim to create a centre of excellence and set international standards in the curative treatment, palliation, and supportive care of recurrent head and neck cancers.

This role is required to provide senior clinical leadership and operational oversight in response to increasing recruitment activity, expansion of research treatment capacity, and the growing complexity of our portfolio, particularly within early-phase and innovative therapeutic studies. The successful applicant will support the cross-site leadership that is necessary to safely deliver the portfolio, contribute to the ongoing development of the research nursing workforce, and provide the specialist expertise required for current and upcoming studies.

Main duties of the job

The senior research nurse works as a self-directed practitioner, with a key role to play in the organisation and management of clinical trials within the unit. These trials may be related to anti-cancer treatment (e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, gene therapy or surgery), symptom management or another aspect of cancer care, such as screening. The post holder will role-model and ensure high standards of clinical practice in accordance with the principles of GCP and have excellent communication skills. They will take responsibility for the co-ordination and management of a clinical research portfolio, collaborating with key personnel to ensure continued care and support for patients involved in clinical trials.

The post holder will also be required to provide direct line management and support more junior staff members, assisting them to develop their clinical research skills thorough education and training.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

• To assess and evaluate the progress of on-going clinical trials and research undertaken in the unit, maintaining an accurate account of the status of the projects and to regularly update the department on the status.
• To assist with the organisation and implementation of clinical trials and liaising closely with the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate a co-ordinated approach to patient care.
• To ensure that proposed research projects for which the post-holder has responsibility are registered and reviewed by the Trust’s R & D department and Research Ethics Committee (REC) prior to commencement and that updates and amendments are reported in a timely fashion.
• To liaise with pharmaceutical sponsors regarding feasibility and implementation aspects of proposed clinical trials.
• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team to promote and oversee the appropriate referral and recruitment of patients to research trials within the unit for which the post holder has a designated responsibility.
• To ensure that all ICH GCP required documentation is kept in a clearly trackable system and is stored in an appropriate manner for the appropriate length of time.

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.