Senior Research Nurse

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust is developing a spoke site for the newly formed South London Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC). Guy's & St Thomas' is the hub site for commercial research within this new partnership. The South London CRDC will act as a regional hub for commercial research delivery to improve recruitment and set-up of clinical trials and facilitate improved access to research for underserved populations by making research more accessible within local communities.

We have an opportunity for an experienced Research Nurse to join the CRDC team. The Senior Clinical Research Nurse will have a key role in supporting the set-up and coordination of LGT as a spoke site in the new CRDC. Based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and working across all Trust and CRDC sites as required, this role will be embedded within the Trust's R&D team. The postholder will be responsible for delivering a range of commercial research from the National Institute for Health (NIHR) Research Portfolio, working with study teams, investigators and CRDC colleagues. The post holder will be responsible for the screening, identification and recruitment of patients to clinical research studies in specialities including cancer, haematology, dermatology and HIV.

This is a cross site role and the post holder will be expected to travel across all Trust and South London CRDC sites as a core element of the role.

Assist the Director for Research & Development, Head of Research, R&D Operations Manager and R&D Delivery Managers in the delivery of the Trust research strategy and CRDC objectives.

Leadership and clinical oversight of LGT CRDC spoke site, research activities and the commercial research portfolio and support with developing performance reports and study updates.

Promotion of research to build capability and capacity to increase research activity across the trust.

Deliver NIHR portfolio recruitment targets.

Ensure robust research governance processes are in place.

Leadership and clinical oversight of the RRDN clinical research portfolio and support with development of business cases and bids to increase funding for research opportunities.

To line manage the research delivery team and provide specialist support to the wider body of research-active staff across the Trust.

To develop interdisciplinary clinical management protocols and work within them.

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development

Widening access (anchor institution) and employability

Improving the experience of staff with disability

Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development

Making equalities mainstream

Responsible for screening and recruiting participants to a portfolio of NIHR, non-NIHR and industry led research studies. This includes both randomised clinical trials and other high quality research studies. The role will involve working closely with multidisciplinary clinical teams.

Act as a patient advocate enabling patients to make informed choices concerning their involvement in the clinical trials and ensuring advice and information is provided.

Ensure there is sufficient skill mix of staff for patient safety during clinical trials and ensuring that they are carried out within the trust's policies and clinical trial protocol.

Carry out all relevant clinical trial related activities without direct supervision including medication administration, venepuncture, cannulation and blood sample processing, ECG's and vital sign monitoring of clinical trial participants ensuring that they are carried out as per study protocol, within the trust's policies and in accordance with research governance and regulations.

Conduct trials in accordance with International Conference on Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) and Data Protection Act.

Ensure that written informed consent is obtained prior to conducting any research related activities.

Maintain all data and case report forms relating to clinical trials in accordance with the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials Regulations) Incorporating International Conference on Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP).

Act as an ongoing resource and support to patients and their relatives, explaining all aspects of clinical trials and relevant treatments options.

Provide and receive complex information in the process of explaining study involvement, including discussing alternative treatments, benefits and risks.

Monitor and assist in the management and reporting of adverse events according to the study protocol and reporting requirements to maintain patient safety.

Deliver research according to time and target as required by the sponsor, according to the protocol and the CDRC objectives.

Ensure that research practices comply with trust policies and procedures.

Maintain accurate records in clinical trial documents and patient notes.

To act as Principal Investigator for suitable studies when required.

To be responsible for and manage the portfolio clinical research projects, collaborating with key personnel throughout the network to ensure continued care and support for patients involved in clinical trials.

To review research protocols and assess feasibility.

To ensure that all staff involved in research in the Trust adheres to guidelines around informed consent and Good Clinical Practice.

To consult with principal investigators (PIs), research organisations and industry in the development and execution of research protocol.

To oversee the administration of clinical research throughout the project life cycle, from study set-up, initiation through to closure and archiving.

Maintain accurate documentation in clinical trial documents and patient notes.

Ensure that clinical trials are effectively archived as required.