Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Research Midwife

This job is now closed

Job summary

Join a small friendly department committed to developing and retaining its members of staff to maintain and further cultivate a high performing, cohesive team, the members of which enjoy coming to work and feel valued.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join us as a research midwife based at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. We are seeking an enthusiastic, hardworking and energetic midwife who ideally has experience in both maternity practice and clinical research as band 6. You will be part of a dynamic team driving forward research across the trust; helping to promote and run research in the maternity department. You will be fully supported by the R&D team and the Principal Investigator.

The successful candidate should be well organised, be able to manage their time effectively and be able to work independently on the research trials being run in the department. You may be required to work on research in other departments or across the Trust to cover annual or sick leave as your work load permits

Main duties of the job

In the research role you will work with the principal investigator and research and development from set up to closure of both commercial and non-commercial clinical trials, all in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP). You will be responsible for assessing and managing the care pathways of patients and carers participating in research studies while ensuring good communication with other members of the Department, R&D and RDN. You will have responsibility for the delivery of direct and indirect care within your own caseload, working collaboratively with members of multi-disciplinary research teams whilst always complying with GCP.

You will need a good clinical knowledge of midwifery practice with a desire to learn in order to work effectively. This knowledge is key to ensure that the patients feel well cared for and supported during their research journey. The successful candidate will have a full range of clinical skills, including venepuncture, foetal monitoring and recording and basic interpretation, sample testing as well as vital signs recording and taking appropriate action as required.

You will be well supported through your research work by the department as the role involves using an in-depth knowledge of clinical trial protocols and their application in practice. You will need a working knowledge of the local, national and international research regulations to ensure effective running of studies in compliance with research governance.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted

21 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Job share

Reference number

418-CORP9993-EH

Job locations

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

Lewsey Road,

Luton

LU4 0DZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

To work autonomously to manage own caseload of research studies, maintaining effective communication with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals to ensure high quality service delivery.

To ensure that investigations are undertaken as required by the trial protocol to establish eligibility and safety to enter the trial and continued safety after enrolment.

To act as a resource and support to patients and carers, explaining practical aspects of research studies and working with clinical teams to map patient pathways as required.

To arrange collection of samples required by the protocol, ensure safe and appropriate storage and dispatch of specimens in compliance with Trust guidelines and collaboration with local laboratory staff.

To maintain comprehensive patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented contemporaneously in the patients healthcare records.

To be responsible for accurate and timely completion of case report forms (CRFs).

To monitor participants for toxicity/side effects and ensure that changes to treatment are effected as required by the research study protocol.

Record and report any adverse events that occur whilst the patient is in the research study to the relevant personnel and through the Trust reporting system, acting as required.

Report and record all serious adverse events, within the required time period, that occur whilst the patient is in the research study to the local Principal Investigator, research study personnel, as required and through the Trust reporting system.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

To ensure that research study recruitment records are accurately maintained and data contemporaneously recorded in healthcare records.

To maintain study site files and documentation.

To liaise with Trust support services as required by the research protocol to ensure safe and smooth running of the study.

To access appropriate computer systems in order to retrieve relevant information.

To ensure that research studies are effectively archived as required in compliance with GCP principles, trust policies and study requirements.

To provide information as required for the raising of invoices related to research studies

To provide support for research colleagues and attend meetings relevant to the post.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

To act as a resource for colleagues in relation to research studies.

To assist in the education of all relevant health care professionals to enable them to care for research study patients.

To keep all appropriate staff informed of the progress of research studies.

To keep up-to-date on research related topics in general and as appropriate to caseload and interest.

To assist in the preparation of posters for meetings and conferences both local and external to the Trust.

To assist with the education and training portfolio of the R&D Department; delivering training sessions on research and research related topics as required.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT

To contribute to the management of the local portfolio of research studies and assist in the identification of research studies for introduction to research teams.

To maintain and expand understanding of research governance and the implication for research.

To identify patients eligible to enter research studies, registering and randomising patients into clinical trials as required, completing pre-study tests where necessary.

To facilitate the informed consent process ensuring the following is accounted for:

The patient (and significant others if appropriate) fully understand the nature of the research study.

The patient is aware that entry into the trial is voluntary and they can withdraw at any point without prejudice.

The patient is aware of any extra procedures required by the trial.

The consent form is completed accurately and filed as required.

To be responsible for the collection and inputting of research study data in a timely manner including screening of potential patients for clinical trials and evaluating eligibility.

To assist the clinical service and wider research team with the production of a research participant recruitment and retention strategy for each assigned research study.

To be flexible and adaptable to help out with other research departments as required and as own trial burden permits.

To accurately record data on trial pro-forma, co-ordinate monitoring visits from sponsors and respond promptly to data queries.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Work within the NMC Code of Conduct and scope of professional conduct.

Be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with re-validation requirements.

Maintain 100% compliance with NMC rules for midwives, mandatory and Trust training requirements.

Conduct the research in accordance with the relevant guidelines e.g. GCP Guidelines, Clinical Trials Regulations, UK policy framework for health and social care research and the study protocol in order to protect the research participants and the quality of the data of each study.

Adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

To safeguard interest of patients by liaison with relevant trial personnel and contribution to trial design and protocol and ensure compliance with research guidelines.

To observe the confidentiality of participant information at all times, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.