North Bristol NHS Trust

Senior Research Nurse - Motor Neurone Disease Association

The closing date is 04 September 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic nurse to join our Motor Neurone Disease service as a Research Nurse at North Bristol NHS Trust. The successful candidate will be involved in setting up and managing a range of clinical trials involving patients with Motor Neurone Disease. Experience of working with patients with a neurological condition is essential.

As the MND Research Nurse, you will ensure that everyone diagnosed with MND has access to the support and opportunity to take part in clinical research. You will support people with MND to navigate the research trial process, providing information about current MND clinical research and trials, identifying research people living with MND are eligible for, explaining what is involved, and supporting people with their application and ongoing involvement in trials. You will champion the diverse needs of people living with MND by working in a manner that facilitates inclusion and collaboration, within and beyond the MND Association.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities include coordination of care of people living with MND on trials and studies, ensuring effective communication between Care Centre / Networks and research teams. Working as part of the MDT at the Care Centre, supporting clinics, home visits and professional training sessions. The role will work alongside the MND Care Co-ordinator and may support the MND service in times of sickness and annual leave. Similarly, the MND Care Co-ordinator will provide support for this post.

Proactively lead and develop a MND person centred research service as part of a MND research nurse network.

About us

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

339-SAT2360-DJF

Job locations

Southmead

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Research and development

Assist with or lead (as appropriate) the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of MND clinical research studies, and the setting of standards of practice.

Assist with or lead (as appropriate) plwMND recruitment and day to day management/ organisation of clinical trials and studies, to include: patient assessment, data collection and database management, blood sample collection, monitoring of adverse reactions and compliance.

Assist with data entry on to clinical trial database.

Have an up to date working knowledge of governing research legislation.

Ensure the specific study protocols and procedures are adhered to in accordance with local practice and Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (GCP).

Participate in audit programmes and identify areas of potential research relating to the MND.

Identify own developmental needs and establish objectives for personal development.

Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, to maintain and develop competence and performance.

To maintain an effective working relationship with the MND Association and NIHR Regional Research Delivery Networks by maintaining regular contact with the MND Association Lead Research Nurse.

Facilitate education, screening, support, recruitment and retention for clinical trials and research.

Clinical

Assume responsibility for the nursing care of research participants.

To collect clinical data and to administer functional rating scales and questionnaires to evaluate patients in accordance with study protocols.

Assist clinicians in the assessment of the neurological and respiratory functional state in the progression of the clinical trial.

Assist or lead (as appropriate) and supervise the scheduled remote collection of patients reported functional measure as specified in the research protocols.

Adhere to organisation wide clinical trial protocols. e.g. manual handling, infection control.

To act as contact point (for trial issues) for the participant.

Maintain health, safety and security of self and others in own work area through ensuring own and others knowledge of relevant local / national policies and procedures, and that these are adhered to.

Promote peoples equity, diversity and rights, through ensuring that own and others practice is in the best interests of patients.

Develop own knowledge and expertise within the MND specialty / research field.

To collect clinical data and use the appropriate scales to evaluate patients in accordance with trial protocols.

To collect blood samples when required from patients, their relatives and volunteers.

To work in co-operation with other members of the neurological/neuromuscular disease clinical service and clinical research team

Maintain knowledge and up-to-date competency with regards to emergency treatment measures and protocols, e.g. anaphylaxis.

Refer to other health professionals when this will improve health outcomes or when risks and needs are beyond own competence and scope of practice.

Support patients in the delivery of care and meeting their health and wellbeing needs by providing advice and information, promoting their wishes and beliefs and addressing their concerns.

Attend MND clinics and support the MDT

Management/Education /Leadership

Develop effective planning, organising, problem-solving and prioritisation skills.

Manage own workload effectively through developing project and time management skills.

Negotiate and agree with individuals, groups and other practitioners, outcomes, roles and responsibilities and action to be taken to develop resources, services and facilities.

Maintain appropriate channels and styles of communication to meet the needs of patients, relatives and carers, managers, peers and other professions / agencies.

Develop and use effective decision-making skills and evaluate the process and results.

Responsible and accountable for resource issues directly related to the research studies, as delegated.

Liaise with Divisional and related departments (i.e. pharmacy and laboratories) as appropriate.

Ensure adequate study supplies are maintained; order further stocks/supplies as required.

Participate in a peer network of support, information and learning with others Research Nurses, including the public, patients MND Association Care Centre / Networks and healthcare professionals.

To help the research team in the preparation and submission of research protocols to the relevant ethics committees and R&D committees for approval.

Communication/administration

Provide nursing advice and support to patients participating in research studies and be identifiable as point of contact.

Provide advice and support to the multidisciplinary team both internally and externally regarding patients and research studies.

Contribute to effective communication between trial centres, sponsors and investigator sites nationally and internationally as required.

Promote effective communication with study participants regarding study protocol, patient information sheets and consenting procedures and abide by ICH/GCP research practice.

Ensure that appropriate information is disseminated within the specialty, the organisation and within external agencies and forums.

Disseminate study data, research outcomes and specialist knowledge via poster presentations, written publication and other media as appropriate at local, national and international conferences.

Miscellaneous

To carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the post and its grading as requested by the line manager or Head of Department/Division.

To understand and adhere to the organisations policies and procedures.

To ensure that the organisations standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all those who come in contact with the service provided by the organisation.

Facilitate change to meet the needs of the service.

Ensure all documentation relating to participant care is clear, concise and legible and in accordance with NMC Standards for Records and Record Keeping.

Ensure familiarity with risk issues pertaining to confidentiality of participant and research related documentation (Data protection act, Caldicott 1999).

General

To comply with the organisations Equal Opportunities Policy and treat staff, patients, colleagues and potential employees with dignity and respect at all times.

To take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure.

To take personal responsibility for ensuring that resources are used efficiently and with minimum wastage and to comply with the organisations Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).

To comply with all policies for personal and patient safety and for prevention of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI); this includes a requirement for rigorous and consistent compliance with policies for hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps.

To be aware of and adhere to all of the organisations policies and procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act.

To ensure that the highest standards are maintained in the delivery of all aspects of patient care.

To maintain confidentiality at all times.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Research and development

Assist with or lead (as appropriate) the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of MND clinical research studies, and the setting of standards of practice.

Assist with or lead (as appropriate) plwMND recruitment and day to day management/ organisation of clinical trials and studies, to include: patient assessment, data collection and database management, blood sample collection, monitoring of adverse reactions and compliance.

Assist with data entry on to clinical trial database.

Have an up to date working knowledge of governing research legislation.

Ensure the specific study protocols and procedures are adhered to in accordance with local practice and Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (GCP).

Participate in audit programmes and identify areas of potential research relating to the MND.

Identify own developmental needs and establish objectives for personal development.

Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, to maintain and develop competence and performance.

To maintain an effective working relationship with the MND Association and NIHR Regional Research Delivery Networks by maintaining regular contact with the MND Association Lead Research Nurse.

Facilitate education, screening, support, recruitment and retention for clinical trials and research.

Clinical

Assume responsibility for the nursing care of research participants.

To collect clinical data and to administer functional rating scales and questionnaires to evaluate patients in accordance with study protocols.

Assist clinicians in the assessment of the neurological and respiratory functional state in the progression of the clinical trial.

Assist or lead (as appropriate) and supervise the scheduled remote collection of patients reported functional measure as specified in the research protocols.

Adhere to organisation wide clinical trial protocols. e.g. manual handling, infection control.

To act as contact point (for trial issues) for the participant.

Maintain health, safety and security of self and others in own work area through ensuring own and others knowledge of relevant local / national policies and procedures, and that these are adhered to.

Promote peoples equity, diversity and rights, through ensuring that own and others practice is in the best interests of patients.

Develop own knowledge and expertise within the MND specialty / research field.

To collect clinical data and use the appropriate scales to evaluate patients in accordance with trial protocols.

To collect blood samples when required from patients, their relatives and volunteers.

To work in co-operation with other members of the neurological/neuromuscular disease clinical service and clinical research team

Maintain knowledge and up-to-date competency with regards to emergency treatment measures and protocols, e.g. anaphylaxis.

Refer to other health professionals when this will improve health outcomes or when risks and needs are beyond own competence and scope of practice.

Support patients in the delivery of care and meeting their health and wellbeing needs by providing advice and information, promoting their wishes and beliefs and addressing their concerns.

Attend MND clinics and support the MDT

Management/Education /Leadership

Develop effective planning, organising, problem-solving and prioritisation skills.

Manage own workload effectively through developing project and time management skills.

Negotiate and agree with individuals, groups and other practitioners, outcomes, roles and responsibilities and action to be taken to develop resources, services and facilities.

Maintain appropriate channels and styles of communication to meet the needs of patients, relatives and carers, managers, peers and other professions / agencies.

Develop and use effective decision-making skills and evaluate the process and results.

Responsible and accountable for resource issues directly related to the research studies, as delegated.

Liaise with Divisional and related departments (i.e. pharmacy and laboratories) as appropriate.

Ensure adequate study supplies are maintained; order further stocks/supplies as required.

Participate in a peer network of support, information and learning with others Research Nurses, including the public, patients MND Association Care Centre / Networks and healthcare professionals.

To help the research team in the preparation and submission of research protocols to the relevant ethics committees and R&D committees for approval.

Communication/administration

Provide nursing advice and support to patients participating in research studies and be identifiable as point of contact.

Provide advice and support to the multidisciplinary team both internally and externally regarding patients and research studies.

Contribute to effective communication between trial centres, sponsors and investigator sites nationally and internationally as required.

Promote effective communication with study participants regarding study protocol, patient information sheets and consenting procedures and abide by ICH/GCP research practice.

Ensure that appropriate information is disseminated within the specialty, the organisation and within external agencies and forums.

Disseminate study data, research outcomes and specialist knowledge via poster presentations, written publication and other media as appropriate at local, national and international conferences.

Miscellaneous

To carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the post and its grading as requested by the line manager or Head of Department/Division.

To understand and adhere to the organisations policies and procedures.

To ensure that the organisations standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all those who come in contact with the service provided by the organisation.

Facilitate change to meet the needs of the service.

Ensure all documentation relating to participant care is clear, concise and legible and in accordance with NMC Standards for Records and Record Keeping.

Ensure familiarity with risk issues pertaining to confidentiality of participant and research related documentation (Data protection act, Caldicott 1999).

General

To comply with the organisations Equal Opportunities Policy and treat staff, patients, colleagues and potential employees with dignity and respect at all times.

To take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure.

To take personal responsibility for ensuring that resources are used efficiently and with minimum wastage and to comply with the organisations Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).

To comply with all policies for personal and patient safety and for prevention of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI); this includes a requirement for rigorous and consistent compliance with policies for hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps.

To be aware of and adhere to all of the organisations policies and procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act.

To ensure that the highest standards are maintained in the delivery of all aspects of patient care.

To maintain confidentiality at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Registration
  • Degree or equivalent
  • Experience of managing a caseload

Desirable

  • Experience of working with patients with a neurological condition
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Registration
  • Degree or equivalent
  • Experience of managing a caseload

Desirable

  • Experience of working with patients with a neurological condition
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Southmead

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Southmead

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Neuromuscular Network Manager

Sarah Collett

sarah.collett@nbt.nhs.uk

01174141185

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

339-SAT2360-DJF

Job locations

Southmead

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Supporting documents

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