Highfield Surgery

Research Nurse Associate

The closing date is 30 April 2026

Job summary

Due to ongoing growth of research within the surgery, an excited opportunity has become available to join the research team at our friendly practice. The post holder is a Nursing Associate registered with the Nursing and Midwifery council and the role it to support research conducted by the surgery (in clinics and housebound patients). You will be joining our established research team consisting of GP research lead, research coordinator and research administrator.

Main duties of the job

You will be supporting the delivery of clinical research studies within Highfield surgery.

You will be supporting and delivering NIHR and commercial research studies as well as promoting and supporting research within the practice.

You will identify patients, screen them, gain consent and follow them up.

Part of the role will include delivering study procedures, including data collection, clinical assessment and sample handling as required.

About us

Highfield surgery is a large, well-established NHS general practice located within the south shore primary care centre on Lytham Road, Blackpool. We provide comprehensive primary care services to a population of over 13,400 registered patients.

We are a large forward thinking training and research practice, committed to supporting the development of future healthcare professionals while continuously improving patient care. We regularly host GP trainees as part of our role in medical education.

The surgery serves a community with significant levels of social and economic deprivation, which can bring complex health needs and a higher prevalence of long term conditions. We aim to address these challenges by providing accessible, patient centred care and a wide range of services, including chronic disease management.

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

A2596-26-0006

Job locations

South Shore Primary Care Centre

Lytham Road

Blackpool

Lancashire

FY4 1TJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities

  • Supporting and delivering NIHR and commercial research studies
  • Promote and support research within the practice.
  • Patient identification, screening, consent and follow-up
  • Deliver study procedures, including data collection, clinical assessment and sample handling as required.
  • Work closely with principal investigators, research networks, sponsors and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation in line with GPC and governance standards.
  • Develop an inclusive approach to research recruitment within the practice and community
  • Clinical procedures related to research protocols: ECGs, phlebotomy, spirometry (or willingness to learn)
  • Ensure research activity complies with regulatory, governance and safety requirements.
  • Support monitoring visits, audits and study close-out activities.

Knowledge, Training and experience

  • A clear understanding of the Nursing Associate role in a multidisciplinary team
  • Familiarity with the NMC code and standards for professional practice
  • Compliance with NMC revalidation requirements.
  • Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion in research

General

To understand the concept of verbal and non-verbal communication and be able use the skills at the desired level.

Has an understanding of risk behaviours and risk management.

Understanding of the incident reporting, serious untoward incident reporting and risk assurance framework

Work as a supervised primary nurse planning and implement care to patients.

Participate in effectively coordinating patient care as necessary

Assist and support patients in planning and coordinating services to meet their needs.

Can facilitate/co-facilitate group activities that focus on health promotion or social activity.

To be able to plan and manage workload.

Take an active part in team discussion and decisions relating to patient care and treatment and ensure these are carried out or reviewed as required.

When required carry out increased observations as per requirement

Ability to raise equality and diversity issues and concerns and report appropriately.

To keep up to date with relevant areas of clinical practice.

Please see full job description attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities

  • Supporting and delivering NIHR and commercial research studies
  • Promote and support research within the practice.
  • Patient identification, screening, consent and follow-up
  • Deliver study procedures, including data collection, clinical assessment and sample handling as required.
  • Work closely with principal investigators, research networks, sponsors and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation in line with GPC and governance standards.
  • Develop an inclusive approach to research recruitment within the practice and community
  • Clinical procedures related to research protocols: ECGs, phlebotomy, spirometry (or willingness to learn)
  • Ensure research activity complies with regulatory, governance and safety requirements.
  • Support monitoring visits, audits and study close-out activities.

Knowledge, Training and experience

  • A clear understanding of the Nursing Associate role in a multidisciplinary team
  • Familiarity with the NMC code and standards for professional practice
  • Compliance with NMC revalidation requirements.
  • Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion in research

General

To understand the concept of verbal and non-verbal communication and be able use the skills at the desired level.

Has an understanding of risk behaviours and risk management.

Understanding of the incident reporting, serious untoward incident reporting and risk assurance framework

Work as a supervised primary nurse planning and implement care to patients.

Participate in effectively coordinating patient care as necessary

Assist and support patients in planning and coordinating services to meet their needs.

Can facilitate/co-facilitate group activities that focus on health promotion or social activity.

To be able to plan and manage workload.

Take an active part in team discussion and decisions relating to patient care and treatment and ensure these are carried out or reviewed as required.

When required carry out increased observations as per requirement

Ability to raise equality and diversity issues and concerns and report appropriately.

To keep up to date with relevant areas of clinical practice.

Please see full job description attached.

Person Specification

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of research activities
  • Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within the Code
  • Understand the requirements for NMC professional revalidation
  • ECGs, or willingness to learn
  • Spirometry testing, or willingness to learn
  • Venepuncture, or willingness to learn

Desirable

  • Awareness of ethical principles underpinning clinical research
  • Understanding of research governance, consent and confidentiality

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Polite and confident
  • Flexible and cooperative
  • Motivated
  • Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
  • High levels of integrity and loyalty
  • Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
  • Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
  • Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • Effectively utilises resources
  • Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

General skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
  • Strong IT skills
  • Clear, polite telephone manner
  • Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
  • Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
  • Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

  • EMIS user skills

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nursing associate on the NMC register
  • Nursing associate foundation degree qualification
  • GCSE Grade A-C in maths and English or key skills Level 2 maths and English or equivalent.
  • Good clinical practice course (or willingness to complete).

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with the general public
  • Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a primary care environment
Person Specification

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of research activities
  • Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within the Code
  • Understand the requirements for NMC professional revalidation
  • ECGs, or willingness to learn
  • Spirometry testing, or willingness to learn
  • Venepuncture, or willingness to learn

Desirable

  • Awareness of ethical principles underpinning clinical research
  • Understanding of research governance, consent and confidentiality

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Polite and confident
  • Flexible and cooperative
  • Motivated
  • Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
  • High levels of integrity and loyalty
  • Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
  • Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
  • Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • Effectively utilises resources
  • Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

General skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
  • Strong IT skills
  • Clear, polite telephone manner
  • Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
  • Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
  • Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

  • EMIS user skills

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nursing associate on the NMC register
  • Nursing associate foundation degree qualification
  • GCSE Grade A-C in maths and English or key skills Level 2 maths and English or equivalent.
  • Good clinical practice course (or willingness to complete).

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with the general public
  • Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a primary care environment

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Highfield Surgery

Address

South Shore Primary Care Centre

Lytham Road

Blackpool

Lancashire

FY4 1TJ


Employer's website

https://highfieldsurgeryblackpool.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Highfield Surgery

Address

South Shore Primary Care Centre

Lytham Road

Blackpool

Lancashire

FY4 1TJ


Employer's website

https://highfieldsurgeryblackpool.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Heather

01253204672

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

A2596-26-0006

Job locations

South Shore Primary Care Centre

Lytham Road

Blackpool

Lancashire

FY4 1TJ


Supporting documents

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