Clinical Research Nurse

Job summary

Do you have nursing experience and are interested in clinical research? This exciting opportunity could be the post for you.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Registered Nurse, who has developed a wide range of clinical skills to join our clinical research team at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex.

The clinical research team manage an interesting and diverse portfolio of studies made up of interventional, drug, and observational research.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are important, as is an ability to work independently and within an established team. Adaptability, good organisational skills and attention to detail are essential.

Following induction you will be supported to take on the day to day management of a portfolio of studies. This will include being responsible for supporting patient identification, recruitment, subsequent treatment, and follow up of research patients.

You will also be involved in the administration of drugs to support other studies within our diverse clinical trial portfolio.

Main duties of the job

The post holder, with oversight and support from the Band 6 Research Nurses, will work on clinical research studies in a diverse range of specialities including Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Rheumatology, Surgery & Critical Care.

They will manage and coordinate their own portfolio of studies with minimal supervision. This includes successful recruitment and retention of patients, strict protocol adherence, data collection, and organisation of relevant tests and procedures. They will need to have a good background of general clinical knowledge to provide research participants with excellent clinical care. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in response to the service needs and work across different clinical specialities as required. The post holder will also be responsible for promoting research within Trust departments and supporting colleagues and local investigators.

The post holder will work collaboratively with the other members of the research team to support the progress of allocated clinical trials and research undertaken in the Trust, maintaining an accurate account of project status and records as required. They will also work collaboratively across professional and organisational relationships with other relevant organisations including non-commercial bodies and pharmaceutical sponsors that promote the delivery of high quality clinical research within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex).

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication

To work as part of a team ensuring effective communication with all health care professionals within the research and clinical team, and across a broad range of external agencies.

To provide study participants with complex clinical trial information, in lay terms, and to provide them with reassurance and support.

To liaise with other departments pharmacy, radiology, outpatients, and other hospitals to ensure protocol related investigations and assessments are conducted at specific time points to ensure continuity of care and adherence to clinical trials protocols.

To ensure the collection, secure recording and storage of participant related study data, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Trust Research Policy.

To submit accurate and timely information about screening and recruitment of participants into studies for research management and monitoring purposes.

To report relevant study data to Sponsors and/or their designated representatives in an accurate and timely way.

To assist with site monitoring visits when Sponsors and/or their representative attend, and respond to data queries that arise.

To maintain confidentiality and uphold Information Governance principles.

To demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with patients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations and recognising individuality and rights for each patient in line with Trust values.

To work effectively within a multi-racial and cultural environment.

Service Delivery and Improvement

To use judgement to resolve day-to-day queries from patients, clinical queries from doctors and nurses, and data queries from trial centres.

To assess the patients ability to comply with clinical trial protocols.

To work with senior medical and specialist nurse colleagues to identify patients suitable for entry to clinical trials by attending clinics, screening notes, attending multidisciplinary team meetings and evaluating diagnostic tests and related reports.

To observe personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources use in the course of work including processing of patient travel expenses.

This post does not have financial or budgetary responsibilities.

To use Trust resources with care, effectively, and to encourage others to do the same.

To ensure that stock levels and equipment are maintained adequately.

People Management and Development

Take every opportunity to continue to maintain and develop own practice, and as directed by the research studies you are conducting.

Facilitate students and others to develop their competence through supervision, teaching and role modelling.

Patient Care Delivery

Manage and coordinate a portfolio of uncomplicated studies in accordance with the relevant local, national and international guidelines.

Assume responsibility for aspects of specific complex research studies as delegated by the Lead/Senior Research Nurse and under supervision of Band 6 Research Nurses.

Obtain written informed consent from participants in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), local SOP, and as delegated by the Principal Investigator.

Data gathering and data entry using paper and electronic case report forms, and where appropriate, work closely with the Clinical Trial Facilitators and Administrators in relation to the running of the study.

Work independently in clinical areas within the Trust and with external organisations.

Support research participants through the process of trial participation.

To work in line with GCP, Trust policies, objectives, protocols, and local guidelines.

To act as a role model communicating in line with Trust values, to patients, carers and staff at all times.

Accept delegated responsibility for specific activities from Senior Research Nurse and work within the limits of your competence.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Experience

Essential

NMC Registered Nurse Educated to Degree level or working towards or equivalent level of relevant experience

Desirable

GCP certification Research methodology courses Experience of clinical trials in an NHS setting Mentorship module or ENB 998 NVQ assessor

Skills

Essential

Post registration experience in clinical environment Able to evidence expert communication skills across a variety of situations. Analytical skills to diagnose a problem or illness and understand complex situations or; Judgemental skills to formulate solutions and recommend/decide on the best course of action/treatment information. Venepuncture & cannulation skills

Desirable

Evidence of understanding of research process. Post registration experience in clinical research Conflict management experience and ability to handle occasional exposure to verbal aggression. Able to demonstrate experience in supporting cross-organisation communication links for patients. Evidence of critical appraisal skills

People management & Development

Essential

Ability to juggle competing priorities and make sound decisions based on clinical need. Ability to develop and maintain record keeping systems and procedures. Prioritise own time and workload. Maintains NMC requirements. Provides patient centred holistic care. Team player responding to service needs. Aware of Quality of Care and incident reporting. Excellent time management skills. Supports colleagues of all levels and is involved in the cascade of information and training. Actively seek training opportunities and keeps skills updated. Maintains Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional portfolio.

Desirable

Contributes to improving services. Coordinate a portfolio of studies with competing priorities. Involved in service improvement/ research to enable best evidence practice.

Specific Requirements

Essential

Good general level of IT skills. Experience of using IT systems in an acute Trust.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

---