Head of Research Workforce

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced research nurse/midwife or Allied Health Professional (AHP) leader to join KCH as the Head of Research Workforce (including Nursing, AHPs, administrative staff and Practitioners).

This post has been created as a consequence of the sustained increase in research activity within the Trust. KCH has been the top recruiting Trust in the UK to NIHR Portfolio studies – with over 30,000 recruits during the 2022 calendar year.

The Head of Research Workforce will be a key part of the senior R&D management team and will lead, in conjunction with the R&D Director, on various initiatives to help deliver the ambitious research strategy.

The post holder will be responsible for the leadership and management of the Clinical Research Delivery Workforce – this comprises of approximately 220 staff – 95 research nurses/midwives and 12 AHPs/clinical scientists, with the remainder research managers, clinical trial practitioners, clinical trial coordinators, research associates, research assistants and clinical research administrators- organised into nine Research Delivery Units within KCH.

The post holder will further develop and implement the overall R&D Strategy, in conjunction with the R&D Director, and ensure effective systems are in place to performance manage all research activities within the Trust. A strategy for the development of research nurses, Allied Health Professionals and other members of the Research Workforce will be developed and implemented focusing on both academic and research delivery elements, linking in with the newly formed Kings Academy.

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Responsibility for Leading and Managing

• Provide professional leadership and direction for all clinical research nurses/ AHPs/Research Practitioners across the organisation. This would be in partnership with Research Matrons and Research Managers of the relevant RDUs.
• Direct line management (including professional supervision where applicable) of band 8a RRDN funded research matrons, research managers and a number of band 7 senior R&D research nurses. To include Performance Development Reviews and ongoing senior support.
• Research representative for the NIHR workforce meetings and other relevant Trust committees.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Works within the NMC scope of Professional Practice and Code of Conduct.
• Work in accordance with the DoH Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care and the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) regulations.
• Advise on and be proficient in clinical skills relevant to research practice - e.g. cannulation, venepuncture, ECG recording.

Responsibility for Patients

• Ensure research teams provide on-going information, education and support to patients (and their significant others) regarding clinical trials and specific trial treatments.
• Lead on public and patient involvement (PPI) and EDI in research as per NIHR and Trust clinical R&D strategy. Ensure research active staff participate in appropriate trust activities for example on the annual International Clinical Trials Day.
• Promotes PPI and EDI in the development of nursing/AHP/Practitioners research programmes.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development

• As a member of the R&D senior management team, contribute towards the overall strategic direction of the department, including developing strategy documents, policy, SOPs and workforce planning, where pertaining to clinical research delivery in conjunction with the R&D Director of Strategy and the R&D Director of Operations.
• Support the R&D directors in developing a long-term strategy for the employment, accountability, management, development and education of research nurses/AHP/Practitioners within the Trust.

Responsibility for Finance Management and Physical Resources

Ensure that resources are used effectively and in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.

Works with R&D finance team and R&D Director of Operations, to plan and manage funding of research nurse /AHP/Practitioners posts.

Identifies funding opportunities for new research posts and submits bids to secure funding in collaboration with R&D Managers/Matrons and lead nurses.

Responsibility for Research and Development

• Initiates and leads a programme of nurse led research at the Trust, working with senior nursing leaders to promote the continued development of research awareness, research competence and scholastic activity (e.g. writing for publishing, critical appraisal, presenting at conferences) in the application of research into nursing practice.
• To lead on identifying funding opportunities for nursing /AHP /Practitioners led research and support nursing colleagues in writing grant applications and navigating the ethics and research approvals process.