Research Nurse- Research

Job summary

We are looking for multiple Research Nurses to join the Research Delivery Teams within our Trust Research and Innovation Department. This is an exciting opportunity to join our expanding team of staff who manage the care of patients taking part in clinical research studies. We are looking for highly motivated and dynamic candidates with an interest in clinical research. This postholder will support oncology/ haematology research projects initially but will work flexibly across multiple specialties as required. Essential research skills training will be given.

Our registered nurses work alongside our data and administration staff and clinical teams across multiple specialties to deliver high-quality patient care in both in-patient and out-patient settings.

The post holder will be accountable for the assessment, planning, organisation and on-going care of research participants according to the study protocol. The role will involve all aspects of study co-ordination and recruitment of patients to research studies. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly with all members of the research team and relevant multidisciplinary teams across a number of specialties. Workloads will be managed by the individual and not supervised.

The R&I department offers opportunities for learning, development and career progression.

Main duties of the job

The post of Research Nurse is a part of a Research Delivery Team based within Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and research clinics within the Research Facility Centre.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required (see job description for full details):

- First level nursing degree/qualification with current NMC registration

- Appropriate years' experience as a registered nurse

- Strong organisational skills and work on own initiative

- Able to line manage, train and develop staff

- Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively to a wide multidisciplinary team and patients.

- Ability to work independently and be an excellent team player.

- Ability to work flexible hours & travel between hospital sites as required to meet service needs.

- Adaptability to ensure achievement of objectives within constantly changing environments.

- Clinical skills: venepuncture, specimen collection, clinical observations and assessments.

This job description is an outline only and does not contain an exhaustive list of duties; the post holder may therefore be required to undertake additional responsibilities

About us

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust wishes to strengthen its position as a leading Research and Innovation institution. Our Trust currently supports over 100 clinical trials with many more in the pipeline and we have exciting plans to increase our research activity, our commercial partnerships and links with MedTech, and we looking for the right staff to support our growing clinical research teams.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Feasibility and Study set-up:

- Contribute to the set-up of research studies within the wider research team. Liaise with the R&I Professional Services Team, Principal Investigators, support departments, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure a thorough feasibility process.

- Able to identify and plan strategies for recruiting patients into trials. Working with Principal Investigators to develop initiatives to increase patient involvement.

Support:

- Assist in the selection and recruitment of participants in compliance with study inclusion / exclusion criteria. Receive informed consent and provide ongoing information, education and support to clinical trial patients (and their carers).

- Assist in achieving NIHR High Level Objectives and GHNHSFT Key Performance Indicators for patient recruitment, speed and quality of research

- Liaise with multi-disciplinary team members to teach and demonstrate procedures for the safe and smooth running of clinical trials and act as a training resource to other members of the clinical team and a contact point in matters concerning trial patients and trial protocols.

- Ability to line manage, train and develop junior members of the team, act as a role model.

- Act as a supervisor for students as applicable to professional registration.

Study Delivery/Monitoring:

- Good knowledge of clinical trials, including, but not limited to: Research Governance Framework, Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Trials.

- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of clinical trial patients, including safe administration of treatments and drugs that are given within the context of a clinical trial, as applicable to professional registration and Trust POPAM policy. Reporting of serious adverse events to all relevant personnel, following the relevant Standard Operating Procedures. Assess patients as required by trial protocols and take appropriate and timely action for patients with treatment toxicities, where appropriate.

- Perform trial specific clinical observations and assessments as mandated by trial protocol. Venepuncture, test urine samples and administer treatments for which training has been given, as applicable to professional registration, R&I Standard Operating Procedures and Trust POPAM policy.

- To be responsible for requesting internal monitoring reports for locally sponsored/hosted studies and actioning as required. Responsible for actioning externally sponsored monitoring reports in a timely manner.

- Ensure trial protocols are followed and that trials are conducted according to the Research Governance Framework Procedures, R&I Standard Operating Procedures and Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP). Maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

- Comply with Trust policies and guidelines.

- Ensure trial records are accurately maintained, including, but not limited to: records in nursing/medical electronic and paper notes, case report forms and trial site files. Adhere to requirements to protect confidentiality. Maintain study records on EDGE (Clinical Trials IT system).

Other Duties:

- Support the embedding of clinical research within our Trust. Contribute to strategies that inform Trust staff of current clinical trial activity/progress.

- Respond to change in line with the needs of service provision, working flexibly within the delivery team.

- Identify own learning needs and proactively seek educational and training opportunities to develop and maintain competency.

Communication and working relationships:

The post-holder will be expected to communicate with a variety of stakeholders at all levels including but not limited to National Clinical Trials Units, Pharmaceutical companies, and other research Sponsor organisations, Clinical Research Network staff, researchers, support service staff and clinicians both within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and beyond.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

First level nursing degree/qualification with current NMC registration

Experience

Essential

Appropriate experience as a registered nurse.

Knowledge / Skills

Essential

Strong organisational skills with ability to multi-task, prioritise and work on own initiative Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively to a wide multidisciplinary team and patients. Able to line manage, train and develop staff Ability to work flexible hours & travel between hospital/research sites as required to meet service needs. Clinical skills: venepuncture, specimen collection, clinical observations and assessments.

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