Clinical Research Nurse

Job responsibilities

Professional Responsibilities

To work within the scope of your professional code of conduct

To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness including clinical supervision.

To conduct research in accordance with relevant guidelines such as ICH GCP Guidelines, EU Clinical Trials Directive and Research Governance Framework in order to protect the research participants and quality of each study.

To attend courses, meetings and conferences as deemed relevant

To ensure that the RDN wide standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care of care to all those who come in contact with the service.

Clinical

To organise workload to ensure that the interest of the research participants are met.

To prioritise patient safety and accurate data collection in line with GCP principles

To work within and monitor the standards of care as defined in the research protocols, policies and procedures of the East of England (EoE) RRDN to ensure adherence to and delivery of high-quality service.

To contribute to the development of policies and procedures of the RRDN and within NCH&C, to ensure that clinical practice is underpinned by current best practice.

To support the safe administration of treatments and drugs given within the context of a clinical trial.

To ensure that trial specific investigations are undertaken as required by the trial protocol.

With appropriate training, to take clinical samples for studies, and ensure the processing and storage and dispatch of biological samples meets the requirements of the research protocol in order to make certain that safe handling and quality is assured.

To maintain effective communication with research participants their relatives/carers and members of the multi-disciplinary teams

To ensure data is recorded accurately and in accordance with regulatory requirements in appropriate study documentation.

Research

To ensure all projects are approved at Primary Care level and are in receipt of Research Ethical favourable opinion, before patients are approached with research projects.

To become familiar with each research protocol and its application in practice including procedures and documentation to ensure safe and accurate conduct and recording within the study.

To identify, screen and recruit eligible participants into research studies according to specific protocols and guidelines.

To co-ordinate recruitment for a local portfolio of health and social care studies across participating sites.

To provide information, education and support to clinical/non-clinical team members, regarding research studies.

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

The participant (and significant others) fully understands the nature of the research trial.

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

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

The consent form is completed accurately and filed as required.

To disseminate up to date information, protocol amendments etc to personnel working on research projects.

To be responsible for monitoring trial data/accrual in research studies and uploading to EDGE system in a timely manner.

To identify barriers to recruitment to studies and ensure that the Primary Care Research Manager is aware of them. Identify and implement action/plans as required.

Decisions and judgements

To make clinical and professional autonomous decisions on a daily basis

To provide clinical and professional advice to the multi-disciplinary team.

To make an assessment of the subjects condition to establish if necessary the appropriate action and future participation in the study.

To act in the best interest of the research participants to ensure their rights are upheld when identifying screening and recruiting participants into trials/research studies

To recognise that freedom to act is guided by precedent and clearly defined protocols and procedures and codes of conduct in accordance with CCG and EoE RRDN policies, NMC Code of Conduct, ICH GCP, Research Governance, EU Clinical Trials Directive, Mental Capacity Act, and Data Protection Act.

Communication

To liaise closely with other EoE RRDN Research Nurses and Network Facilitators within and across the localities

To liaise with key identified personnel and support services within NCH&C To provide information and education about research in the Trust and EoE RRDN and its research projects to interested parties.

To communicate with research participants, their relatives/carers and with the multi-disciplinary team involved in the provision of care associated with the research study.

To communicate effectively with all stakeholders.

To work as an effective team members with the aim of maximising participant recruitment to NIHR adopted studies within time and target.

Other

To attend Trust and EoE RRDN meetings as required

To attend meetings relating to specific research projects as necessary.

To assist with the creation of relevant Trust research training packages.

To cover duties of other Research Nurses when required.

To undertake any other duties, which may be required from time to time, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and needs of the service.

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Evidence of continuous personal and professional and academic development

Desirable

• Attended ICH GCP Training
• Aware of current legislation regarding research governance issues
• Knowledge of research design and methods: understanding of the analytical process

Other

Essential

• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle, travel is a core component of this post
• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language

Experience

Essential

• Relevant recent clinical experience at Band 5 or above
• Knowledge of running concurrent research studies with minimal supervision according to good clinical practice guidelines
• Experience of collaborating with other agencies
• Project management experience
• Working with patients/service users

Desirable

• Experience working in primary care or community setting
• Experience of running concurrent research studies with minimal supervision according to GCP

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of the requirements of ICH Good Clinical Practice; possess current GCP Certificate
• Effective listening and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to achieving objectives of RRDN. Self-motivated
• Ability to work autonomously using own initiative and as a member of a small team as well as wider multi-disciplinary team
• Able to organise, prioritise and co-ordinate work of self and others where there are conflicting demands and workload pressures

Desirable

• Ability to write reports
• Presentation and teaching skills

Communication

Essential

• Good oral and written skills
• Persuasive manner: able to establish positive working relationships with range of healthcare professionals, NHS managers and university staff

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Ability to work across boundaries
• Experience managing junior members of a team or learners in the work place

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

Essential

• Must be able to deal with the public and colleagues in a pleasant manner at all times
• Able to be calm and diplomatic under pressure
• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults

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).