Job summary
The Clinical Eye Research Centre within Ophthalmology at the Liverpool University Group is a purpose built unit facilitating Clinical Trials and studies in all aspects of Eye Research. The unit undertakes and delivers clinical trials/studies in patients and healthy volunteers for commercial, non-commercial and sub contract studies. An exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Lead Research Nurse to play a key role in a team working at the heart of ophthalmic research in both the Royal and Aintree sites.
As ophthalmology Lead Nurse you will oversee a wide range of studies in a variety of ophthalmic conditions, working with the University, and participation in the various phases of clinical trials. You will work closely with the Assistant Director of Research to meet delivery targets; you will have support from senior R & I Managers and Matrons, and you will be heading up and working closely with the Clinical Eye Research Business Team. You will have proven leadership skills and demonstrable experience in line managing staff. You will need excellent project management skills and be able to troubleshoot, be creative and problem solve. Day to day operational leadership and management will be a part of your remit, to deliver the portfolio of studies and have oversight of individual teams in Research, this will include research practitioners, and support staff.
Main duties of the job
Main duties include the management of human and research resources and projects to ensure the effective running of research services to obtain their most efficient and effective use in line with current practice.Organisation and co-ordination of multi disciplinary team membersin order to carry out clinical trials including photographers, optometrists and consultant staff.Arranging patient appointments in accordance with study timelines and ensuring adherence to the study protocols.Data collection and management of patients information within the databases, co-ordination of study monitoring visits for the review of the data for clinical trials. Weekly meetings in order to develop working practices within research programmes. The undertaking of Patient satisfaction surveys and audit of treatment outcomes in terms of visual acuity and quality of life measurements. Completion of applications for research grants within the field of poor vision and quality of life, which impact on patients with Age-related macular degeneration. The setting-up and organisation of a specialist research nurse interest group to promote nurse led services. The Lead Research Nurse will have responsibility for the Aintree and Royal sites, with the flexibility to work across all areas and lead research across both within Ophthalmology.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategic, operational and clinical function within the Research Unit.Co-ordination and support of new research studies. Develop and complete own research proposals. Collaborate with other professional groups and provide clinical leadership within Research at St Pauls Eye Unit. Provide a person centred approach to care practice and provision and seek to incorporate the user perspective in future developments. Set clear standards of service that users can expect and monitor and review performance against comparable services, publishing results, wherever possible. Managing the Nursing Team within the Eye Research Centre. Implementing strategic research goals. Monitor research studies within the Directorate and report to Directorate management team. Assist in the development of research plans and grants for the Directorate. Liaise with the Head of Operations for Ophthalmology and Associate Director of R&I to plan and manage the budgets. Innovate by looking for new ways to improve the services and facilities offered. Monitor and take action when environmental standards fall below accepted levels liaising with hotel services and Estates Department. Ensure all staff have Personal Development Plans which are linked to organisational and national service objectives. Manage personnel issues, counselling re sickness and absences, disciplinary etc in line with the Trust policies. Ensure staff establishment and skill mix are appropriate to clinical demands. Improve access to care in line with patients needs and encourage the promotion of choice. Have a proactive role in the development of Benchmarking and audit within areas of responsibility. Be involved in seeking feedback from patients and purchasers, facilitating the current PPIER group focus group and future groups, information afternoons and satisfaction surveys using their views to improve the service provided. Liaise with Patient Forums and PALS. Ensure GCP guidelines are adhered to. Represent the Unit as a member of the R&D Forum. Set clear standards of service that users can expect and monitor and review performance against comparable services, publishing results wherever possible. Enhance effective communication with GPs, Primary Care Groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategic, operational and clinical function within the Research Unit.Co-ordination and support of new research studies. Develop and complete own research proposals. Collaborate with other professional groups and provide clinical leadership within Research at St Pauls Eye Unit. Provide a person centred approach to care practice and provision and seek to incorporate the user perspective in future developments. Set clear standards of service that users can expect and monitor and review performance against comparable services, publishing results, wherever possible. Managing the Nursing Team within the Eye Research Centre. Implementing strategic research goals. Monitor research studies within the Directorate and report to Directorate management team. Assist in the development of research plans and grants for the Directorate. Liaise with the Head of Operations for Ophthalmology and Associate Director of R&I to plan and manage the budgets. Innovate by looking for new ways to improve the services and facilities offered. Monitor and take action when environmental standards fall below accepted levels liaising with hotel services and Estates Department. Ensure all staff have Personal Development Plans which are linked to organisational and national service objectives. Manage personnel issues, counselling re sickness and absences, disciplinary etc in line with the Trust policies. Ensure staff establishment and skill mix are appropriate to clinical demands. Improve access to care in line with patients needs and encourage the promotion of choice. Have a proactive role in the development of Benchmarking and audit within areas of responsibility. Be involved in seeking feedback from patients and purchasers, facilitating the current PPIER group focus group and future groups, information afternoons and satisfaction surveys using their views to improve the service provided. Liaise with Patient Forums and PALS. Ensure GCP guidelines are adhered to. Represent the Unit as a member of the R&D Forum. Set clear standards of service that users can expect and monitor and review performance against comparable services, publishing results wherever possible. Enhance effective communication with GPs, Primary Care Groups.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN
- Post graduate Qualification in Nursing or Research
- Attendance of recent short courses and/or study days on research
- Degree in Health Care related field
- Holds a relevant teaching and assessing qualification
Desirable
- Recognised ophthalmic qualification
- Formal masters degree or equivalent
- Clinical Examinations course
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience as RGN working within research
- Evidence of experience in effective management and leadership
- Experience of developing and working within multi disciplinary teams and cross organisational/site working
- Project management experience
- Experience of managing project specific change
- Supervision of staff/teams & Appraisal & interviewing skills
- Clinical experience / qualification in venepuncture, IV cannulation and interpretation of investigations
- Experience of liaison with staff at all levels in the National Health Service, Universities, government funding bodies and Industry
- Demonstrable experience as an assessor/mentor
Desirable
- Experience in heading up a research study and lead a team
- Experience of presentations and publications
- Experience in presenting to large audiences
- Evidence of skills in grant applications and publications
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and application of Research Ethics Committee applications and other regulatory approval processes
- Knowledge of the principles and practice of clinical research and/or clinical trials
- Knowledge of the role & responsibilities of a Clinical Research Nurse
- Knowledge of ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical trials, including EU Directive on ICH GCP requirements
- Understanding of the relevance of research to health care delivery and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of the specific research subject.
- Knowledge and application of professional nursing issues
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Health Service, R&D, industry partnerships and relevant information sciences
Skills
Essential
- Experience of set up, management and co- coordinating clinical research studies
- Writing research policies / protocols / reports / action plans/ funding applications
- Leading the development of research projects and negotiating research funding.
- Capacity to deal with complexity of issues
- Computer literate and proficiency in MS Office / ECDL/databases
- Ability to work independently and prioritise / own workload and to communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and cope in a highly demanding environment. Possession of tact and sensitivity to the needs of both patients and colleagues, including a commitment to confidentiality
- Excellent and effective verbal, written and presentational skills
Desirable
- Skills in handling and management of computerised data (e.g. the abstraction and coding of medical data, computer data entry, statistical analysis, report generation and data validation
- Capable of presenting research related information to a wide audience
- Skills in the analysis and interpretation of data
Other
Essential
- Meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy, e.g. in the capture and validation of clinical trial data
- Creative & Flexible approach to working hours
- Ongoing, professional development with documented evidence
- Reputation for setting and maintaining high standards of nursing/research care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RGN
- Post graduate Qualification in Nursing or Research
- Attendance of recent short courses and/or study days on research
- Degree in Health Care related field
- Holds a relevant teaching and assessing qualification
Desirable
- Recognised ophthalmic qualification
- Formal masters degree or equivalent
- Clinical Examinations course
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience as RGN working within research
- Evidence of experience in effective management and leadership
- Experience of developing and working within multi disciplinary teams and cross organisational/site working
- Project management experience
- Experience of managing project specific change
- Supervision of staff/teams & Appraisal & interviewing skills
- Clinical experience / qualification in venepuncture, IV cannulation and interpretation of investigations
- Experience of liaison with staff at all levels in the National Health Service, Universities, government funding bodies and Industry
- Demonstrable experience as an assessor/mentor
Desirable
- Experience in heading up a research study and lead a team
- Experience of presentations and publications
- Experience in presenting to large audiences
- Evidence of skills in grant applications and publications
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and application of Research Ethics Committee applications and other regulatory approval processes
- Knowledge of the principles and practice of clinical research and/or clinical trials
- Knowledge of the role & responsibilities of a Clinical Research Nurse
- Knowledge of ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical trials, including EU Directive on ICH GCP requirements
- Understanding of the relevance of research to health care delivery and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of the specific research subject.
- Knowledge and application of professional nursing issues
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Health Service, R&D, industry partnerships and relevant information sciences
Skills
Essential
- Experience of set up, management and co- coordinating clinical research studies
- Writing research policies / protocols / reports / action plans/ funding applications
- Leading the development of research projects and negotiating research funding.
- Capacity to deal with complexity of issues
- Computer literate and proficiency in MS Office / ECDL/databases
- Ability to work independently and prioritise / own workload and to communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and cope in a highly demanding environment. Possession of tact and sensitivity to the needs of both patients and colleagues, including a commitment to confidentiality
- Excellent and effective verbal, written and presentational skills
Desirable
- Skills in handling and management of computerised data (e.g. the abstraction and coding of medical data, computer data entry, statistical analysis, report generation and data validation
- Capable of presenting research related information to a wide audience
- Skills in the analysis and interpretation of data
Other
Essential
- Meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy, e.g. in the capture and validation of clinical trial data
- Creative & Flexible approach to working hours
- Ongoing, professional development with documented evidence
- Reputation for setting and maintaining high standards of nursing/research care
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).
