Research Nurse- Central Research Team

Job responsibilities

Key Working Relationships:

Ward/Department staff, Principal Investigators, Patients and their relatives/ carers/ significant other, Staff in other departments across Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Pharmacy, Pathology and Radiology, Research & Development Directorate Team, including research delivery staff, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Research Consortium, Clinical Trials Units/Academic Sponsors, Pharmaceutical companies/Clinical Research Organisations, West Midlands Clinical Research Network.

Risk Assessment:

This post involves manual handling activities, exposure to bodily fluids and exposure to high noise levels. It may also involve exposure to challenging behaviour. The post requires standard keyboard use, sitting for periods at a computer and screen, travel between Trust sites.

Job Purpose:

We are committed to supporting research that is relevant and accessible to our patients via our Trusts research strategy. Through clinical research we can assess the efficacy of new medication, diagnostics, and treatment regimes. This helps to build the evidence for new approaches to improve patient care.

This post will be based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, with some cross site working. They will enable patients to take part in clinical trials locally. The postholder is responsible for assessing and managing the care pathways for patients and carers participating in commercial research. This will involve establishing study feasibility, pre-trial set-up activities, recruitment of participants, education and monitoring of research patients and the collection and documentation of accurate data. The role involves using an in-depth knowledge of research protocols and their application in practice, alongside a working knowledge and compliance with the local, national and international research regulations. The post holder will work collaboratively with all research stakeholders (e.g. Principal Investigators, clinicians, academics and Research Networks) in the management of their own caseload and the supervision of junior staff. They will be required to work across sites and on studies in other specialty areas as required.

Key Duties:

Clinical - Research:

• Supporting consultant medical staff and the Research Team with research projects

• Ensure that informed consent is obtained according to ethical and legal guidelines as part of the risk management process for Research Governance and ICH-GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice), including receiving informed consent for studies where appropriate

• To ensure patients and their families are given appropriate oral and written information regarding planned care and the disease process

• Evaluate patient eligibility for clinical trials entry, co-ordinating pre-study tests, obtaining results and arranging appropriate appointments according to the trial protocol

• Identify barriers to recruitment and develop action plans to overcome these with the Research Team

• Organise relevant investigations in research studies

• Responsibility for ascertaining from patients whether adverse or serious adverse events have occurred and reporting these appropriately as part of the risk management process for Research Governance

• Ensure patients are randomised and allocated treatment in accordance with the clinical trial protocol.

• Collect any samples required as part of the clinical trial and ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens, including processing as required

• Support the administration of trial drugs as required, be aware of, and report any unusual side effects, as per local policy and protocol requirements

• Provide continuity of care for patients and their carers throughout the trial programme

• Review patients independently and with supervision to initiate changes in management of care in accordance with trial protocol

• To work with other members of the Research Nurse Team to provide an expert nurse led service for patients in clinical trials, to improve quality of life

• Responsible for the entry of data on paper/electronic case report forms (CRFs) for all studies and ensuring trials are conducted according to the relevant regulations and SOPs

• Responsible for ensuring the data is submitted to research sponsors within the timescales required by the Sponsors

• Regular liaison with the Sponsor relating to the studies

• Implement and adhere to the principles of ICH-GCP

• Act as a role model for excellence in research

Education/Research:

• To participate in, and contribute to, the academic programme of seminars and staff meetings in the locality.

• Instruct individual patients and/or carers in specialised procedures and requirements of their participation in research projects

• To share knowledge and expertise with peers

• To demonstrate a continuous process of professional and personal changes in professional practice

• To comply with all statutory, Trust, Research and Development Directorate policies and procedures and to take an active role in the development of such policies and procedures

Clinical Governance:

• Maintain up to date knowledge of information, procedures and developments

• To ensure the efficient actioning of the complaints procedure in accordance with the Trust policy in conjunction with the Head of Research Operations

• To understand and adhere to Trust policies and procedures

• To ensure that research is performed in an environment that complies with Health and Safety standards

• Data Protection

Professional Accountability:

• To adhere to relevant Professional Code/s of Conduct

• To adhere to revalidation requirements by attending study days/lectures to maintain professional development for all qualified staff

• To undertake research within the ICH-GCP and Research Governance standards

Vision and Values:

The Trust aims to provide local services for local people. It has developed its vision to reflect this commitment.

To continue to be the major provider of acute/specialist services for the people of Worcestershire (and wider) with a strong reputation for providing outstanding, high quality, reliable, accessible and integrated healthcare for local people.

Driving this commitment are the Trust-wide signature behaviours:

• Do what we say we will do

• No delay, every day

• We listen, we learn, we lead

• Work together, celebrate together

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Degree Level in a science and/or a Nursing qualification

Other requirements

Essential

• The post holder will be required to work flexibly across clinical specialties and Trust locations in the county

Experience

Essential

• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft office and Electronic Data Capture
• Excellent communication skills at all levels

Desirable

• 2 years experience working within Clinical Trials in the NHS
• ICH-GCP certificate

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Able to work across multiple teams
• Confident, consistent
• Flexible, punctual and reliable
• Enthusiastic & assertive
• Demonstrates attention to detail
• Confident working independently and able to effectively manage time and workload
• Able to delegate work effectively

Desirable

• Responds well to change & innovation

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

• Able to use own initiative
• Calm able to prioritise and able to make decisions appropriately
• Effective communicator with patients and the multidisciplinary teams
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• High standard of IT skills
• Phlebotomy skills
• Strong organisational skills

Desirable

• Teaching and assessing qualification
• Advanced communication skills
• Good understanding of governance and legislation in healthcare research

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).