Job summary
The Neuroscience Research Centre (NRC) supports the delivery of neurological, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management commercial and non-commercial studies. The post holder will primarily support the delivery of the neurology portfolio. However, will also support the neurosurgical portfolio as required.
The post holder will work alongside the research team to co-ordinate and deliver a portfolio of commercial and non - commercial clinical trials. The role will include identifying patients through MDT's/screening notes/verbal and electronic referrals; collecting data; interviewing; supporting, treating and monitoring patients in accordance to ethically approved protocols.
The NRC is a busy environment and working to deadlines with frequent interruption is the norm. Ability to work under pressure, pay close attention to detail and organise the priority of own workload is absolutely essential.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the role include identifying, screening, and recruiting participants for research studies in accordance with protocol-defined criteria and ensuring that consent is obtained in line with GCP principles. The post holder will manage key study processes such as data collection, reporting, and accurate entry of participant information into systems like EDGE. They will communicate effectively with patients, families, clinicians, and study teams to support trial delivery and promote research across the organisation. The Research Nurse will also monitor and respond appropriately to safety issues, safeguarding concerns, and protocol deviations, following Trust and study-specific procedures.
In addition, the role requires ongoing participation in training, maintaining clinical competence, and meeting NMC revalidation expectations. The post holder will manage their workload independently, uphold Trust policies, contribute to quality and risk management processes, and ensure trial resources and documentation remain well maintained
About us
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People. We invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and have been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.
With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Band 6 Research Nurse plays a key role in delivering commercial and noncommercial clinical trials across neurosurgery, spinal, pain management, and occasionally neurological portfolios. Working within the Neuroscience Research Centre (NRC), the post holder coordinates all aspects of study delivery, including identifying potential participants, screening for eligibility, and recruiting patients in line with study protocols and regulatory approvals. They will provide clear and sensitive explanations of research studies, respond to participants questions, and obtain informed consent in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP). The role involves collecting and reporting study data accurately, managing randomisation and treatment allocation where required, and ensuring all eligible patients are fully documented in the EDGE database. The Research Nurse will also ensure that regulatory approvals such as REC and R&D are in place prior to study initiation and will work in accordance with NRC Standard Operating Procedures. Maintaining clinical competence, supporting data management activities, and confidently using electronic data systems are essential components of the role.
Communication is central to the role, requiring effective interaction with patients, families, clinicians, and multidisciplinary teams to support smooth and efficient trial delivery. The post holder will promote research across the Trust, discuss studies with clinicians before and throughout the research process, and respond appropriately to complaints, safety concerns, safeguarding issues, protocol deviations, or clinical emergencies. They may also contribute to posters, research papers, or conference materials, supporting the wider dissemination of research activity.
The Research Nurse is expected to maintain an uptodate understanding of clinical research practices, attend investigator meetings and studyspecific training, and undertake ongoing professional development in line with NMC revalidation requirements. They will identify their own training needs, participate in teaching and learning activities, and maintain awareness of advances in clinical care relevant to their portfolio.
Management responsibilities include organising and prioritising their own workload in a busy and interruptionprone environment, ensuring deadlines are met, and complying with local and Trust policies. The post holder will support a safe working environment, uphold Health and Safety standards, and monitor trial consumables, ensuring adequate supplies and documentation across sites. Alongside this, they must follow safeguarding protocols, uphold quality standards, maintain accurate records, comply with Data Quality policies, and actively report and mitigate risks in line with Trust Risk Management and Research Governance requirements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Band 6 Research Nurse plays a key role in delivering commercial and noncommercial clinical trials across neurosurgery, spinal, pain management, and occasionally neurological portfolios. Working within the Neuroscience Research Centre (NRC), the post holder coordinates all aspects of study delivery, including identifying potential participants, screening for eligibility, and recruiting patients in line with study protocols and regulatory approvals. They will provide clear and sensitive explanations of research studies, respond to participants questions, and obtain informed consent in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP). The role involves collecting and reporting study data accurately, managing randomisation and treatment allocation where required, and ensuring all eligible patients are fully documented in the EDGE database. The Research Nurse will also ensure that regulatory approvals such as REC and R&D are in place prior to study initiation and will work in accordance with NRC Standard Operating Procedures. Maintaining clinical competence, supporting data management activities, and confidently using electronic data systems are essential components of the role.
Communication is central to the role, requiring effective interaction with patients, families, clinicians, and multidisciplinary teams to support smooth and efficient trial delivery. The post holder will promote research across the Trust, discuss studies with clinicians before and throughout the research process, and respond appropriately to complaints, safety concerns, safeguarding issues, protocol deviations, or clinical emergencies. They may also contribute to posters, research papers, or conference materials, supporting the wider dissemination of research activity.
The Research Nurse is expected to maintain an uptodate understanding of clinical research practices, attend investigator meetings and studyspecific training, and undertake ongoing professional development in line with NMC revalidation requirements. They will identify their own training needs, participate in teaching and learning activities, and maintain awareness of advances in clinical care relevant to their portfolio.
Management responsibilities include organising and prioritising their own workload in a busy and interruptionprone environment, ensuring deadlines are met, and complying with local and Trust policies. The post holder will support a safe working environment, uphold Health and Safety standards, and monitor trial consumables, ensuring adequate supplies and documentation across sites. Alongside this, they must follow safeguarding protocols, uphold quality standards, maintain accurate records, comply with Data Quality policies, and actively report and mitigate risks in line with Trust Risk Management and Research Governance requirements.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered General Nurse
- Previous clinical experience in delivering and coordinating research
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP
- Post registration experience
- Attendance at recent relevant training courses
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in neurology/ neurosurgery research
- Experience of delivering training within the healthcare environment
- Experience of delivering presentations
- First level degree or actively working towards
Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical experience of venipuncture/ cannulation and administration of Intravenous drugs
- Experience of coordinating clinical research trials
- Experience of multi disciplinary working
- An understanding of the role and responsibilities of the research nurse Knowledge of the clinical research healthcare landscape, including NIHR and CRN's
Desirable
- Previous experience of clinical research in neurology/neurosurgery
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Clear accurate administrative skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Able to work unsupervised and manage own studies
Desirable
- Experience in writing grant submissions and developing new clinical trial protocol
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered General Nurse
- Previous clinical experience in delivering and coordinating research
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP
- Post registration experience
- Attendance at recent relevant training courses
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in neurology/ neurosurgery research
- Experience of delivering training within the healthcare environment
- Experience of delivering presentations
- First level degree or actively working towards
Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical experience of venipuncture/ cannulation and administration of Intravenous drugs
- Experience of coordinating clinical research trials
- Experience of multi disciplinary working
- An understanding of the role and responsibilities of the research nurse Knowledge of the clinical research healthcare landscape, including NIHR and CRN's
Desirable
- Previous experience of clinical research in neurology/neurosurgery
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Clear accurate administrative skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Able to work unsupervised and manage own studies
Desirable
- Experience in writing grant submissions and developing new clinical trial protocol
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
