Clinical Research Nurse

Job summary

We are looking to appoint a Clinical Research Nurse (Band 6) in the Renal and Oesophagogastric Research team within The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. The successful candidate will have either oncology or research experience.

The successful candidate will be working with an established research team with a large and varied portfolio of phase I to phase III studies. The post holder will care for patients with gastric or oesophageal cancer who are receiving systemic anti-cancer treatments and/or radiotherapy within a clinical trial and work alongside a team of consultants, clinical fellows, clinical research nurses and clinical trial administrators.

While we are looking to recruit a full-time ( hours/ 5days) Clinical Research Nurse to support our busy team, we would consider applicants wanting part-time hours.

An informal conversation to discuss the post is highly recommended.

Main duties of the job

As a Clinical Research Nurse working within the Renal and Oesophagogastric team, you will be the lead research nurse of your own portfolio of clinical trials as well as acting as the key point of contact for patients. Your day-to-day role will include supporting clinical trial recruitment, co-ordination of care and organisation of treatment, supporting patients while they receive treatment within a clinical trial, acting as key point of contact for clinical trial sponsors and clinical research organisations and data entry.

You will work closely with and be supported by the Senior Clinical Research Nurse as well as the other Clinical Research Nurses on the team. You will be provided with a comprehensive training and supernumerary period to support your learning for this role.

The Renal and Oesophagogastric team works on studies including early phase, biomarker trials, real-world data, IMP trials, radiotherapy trials and will eventually be involved in innovative proton beam trials. The Christie's research teams contribute towards pioneering research and innovation and we constantly work towards improving cancer care and patient outcomes.

About us

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe, and an international leader in cancer research and development. We are one of the leading centres in the UK for clinical trials and radiotherapy research. Treating more than 60,000 patients a year, we are the first UK centre to be officially accredited as a comprehensive cancer centre. The Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at The Christie is also one of four specialist units in Manchester for experimental research that make up the NIHR Manchester CRF, providing us with the dedicated space and expertise required to deliver intensive and complex studies in safe environment.

In December 2018 The Christie became home to one of only two high energy NHS proton beam therapy (PBT) centres in the UK where we provide specialised treatment for UK patients with complex and hard-to-treat cancers who would otherwise be required to have this treatment abroad at centres in either Europe or in the USA.

We are ranked as the most technologically advanced cancer centre in the world outside North America, and have been named, by the National Institute for Health Research, as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to take part in clinical research studies.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered General Nurse - Currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council First Degree or relevant clinical experience

Desirable

Post-graduate qualification in oncology and/or clinical research GCP/ICH recognised recent training

Experience

Essential

Experience of oncology nursing Experience of working autonomously and as part of a Multi-disciplinary team Ability to demonstrate evidence of service improvement

Desirable

Experience of working in a clinical research environment

Skills

Essential

Highly effective communication skills Advance organisational skills Good written and analytical skills Able to manage work autonomously and manage own workload Demonstrable IT Skills - able to use Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook

Desirable

Intra-venous access and cannulation skills administration of IV chemotherapy Good presentation skills

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of the clinical trial process Knowledge of ICH-GCP & research governance framework Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policy relating to specialist area.

Desirable

Knowledge of Research Ethics Committees Knowledge of the purpose of clinical research

OTHER

Essential

Maintain professional development and have an awareness of current nursing issues Demonstrates flexibility in working hours

Desirable

Assertiveness

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