Clinical Research Nurse

We are seeking a motivated nurse eager to make a real difference for patients with haematological malignancies. Join our Haematology Research team and play a key role in delivering cutting-edge clinical trials that directly improve patient outcomes.

This dynamic role offers the chance to manage a varied portfolio of haematology studies, from early to late-phase trials, while developing your clinical and research expertise. You will lead the coordination of trial protocols, manage patient care pathways and deliver treatments in a multidisciplinary team, gaining exposure to innovative therapies and complex care delivery.

We welcome candidates with a background in oncology, flexibility and strong communication skills. Experience in clinical research or haematology is desirable. An informal discussion and time with the team are encouraged to fully appreciate the role and the impact you can make.

The post holder will play a central role across all stages of the Haematology research portfolio, including feasibility reviews of new clinical trial opportunities, trial set-up and activation, patient recruitment and management, data query resolution and reviewing protocol amendments. You will provide patient-centred insights, supporting both participants and the research team throughout all aspects of clinical research.

Working closely with a multidisciplinary team and the wider community, you will ensure patient safety and wellbeing are maintained within multi-regulatory frameworks, adhering to ICH/GCP standards and Trust SOPs. Using national frameworks to audit patient experience, you will help ensure participants receive the highest quality care while contributing to clinical research.

The role also includes raising the profile of clinical research and clinical trials within the Trust and externally, engaging in promotional events and supporting divisional and national objectives and strategies.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a high level of motivation, and the ability to work independently, contributing to a dynamic team delivering cutting-edge haematology research.

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Research Co-ordination

• Work autonomously in all areas of practice relating to clinical research.
• Understand and deliver care in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols.
• Understand the process for obtaining NHS permissions (R&D approval) for conducting clinical trials at site. As project lead, ensure permissions are in place prior to any patient recruitment.
• Participate in clinical trial feasibilities and risk assessments of clinical trial protocols.
• Ensure all clinical trial activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Awareness of trial specific, regional and national targets. Identify and implement strategies for recruiting patients to clinical trials ensuring that targets for patient recruitment are delivered.
• Delegation and oversight of research related activities to research team members (clinical and administrative) and ensure compliance with SOPs and ICH/GCP.
• Arrange and facilitate clinical trial related meetings.
• Involvement in appropriate financial remunerations for clinical trial activity.

Clinical Service and Professional Responsibilities

• Assimilation of highly complex information relating to clinical trials and communication to patients at a level appropriate to their understanding. Ensure highly sensitive information is communicated to patients, relatives, and carers regarding prognosis
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of specialist care pathways in conjunction with appropriate personnel.
• Demonstration of expert knowledge in specialist area to maintain clinical excellence.
• Demonstrate awareness of divisional and trust strategic objectives including performance indicators and metrics.
• Escalation of governance issues impacting on delivery of job purpose.
• To act as a primary contact point for the clinical trial patients and act as adviser to other health care professionals.
• Responsibility for maintenance and development of professional knowledge and practice by attending mandatory and specialist training in accordance with local policy.
• Ensuring care delivery standards in accordance with trial protocol, local policy, NMC Code of Practice Conduct and current best practice.
• Development and maintenance of a high-quality service by:

➢ Overseeing the safe administration of all licensed and unlicensed medicinal products within the context of a clinical trial.

➢ Overseeing assessment and evaluation of treatment toxicities and initiation of appropriate intervention.

➢ Contribute to development of specialist Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines.

• Provide education and support for non-research staff in the delivery of protocol driven treatment for all patients.
• Participate in monitoring and audit activities within research team
• To carry out non-medical prescribing within scope of professional practice and in accordance with local policies and procedures and national legislation (optional and depending on clinical service needs).

Personal Education, Training and Development

• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge and practice through a process of appraisal and personal development planning.
• Promote the role of the clinical research nurse as an integral part of the healthcare system.
• Increase and maintain awareness of current advances in cancer treatments, research and nursing practice thereby maintaining the highest standard of care for patients with cancer and implementing evidence-based care by continuing professional development.
• Participation in trust-wide education programmes and study days.
• Obtain clinical supervision as appropriate.
• To keep up to date with departmental, Trust, UK and EU developments for the management of clinical research ensuring timely, effective implementation of changes.
• Attendance at team and divisional meeting

Staff Management and Development

• To Support the Senior Clinical Research Nurse in the induction and continued supervision of junior members of staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory compliance and legislation.
• Support the development of specialist study days within own research team.
• Assist in the provision of specialist education and training in relation to clinical trials to all key stakeholders.
• Disseminate information by attendance and /or presentations at local, national and international conferences/meetings
• Contribute to the development of members of the research team

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EU DIRECTIVE ICH/GCP

All personnel involved in clinical research have a responsibility to ensure that clinical trials are conducted in accordance with the EU Directive and ICH/GCP.