Job overview
The function of a clinical research nurse is to support a portfolio of cardiovascular clinical studies in Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals. You will be responsible for assessing and managing the care pathways for patients and carers participating in clinical trials, be directly involved in the recruitment, education and monitoring of trial patients and in the collection and documentation of accurate data.
You will be responsible for providing research nurse support for cardiovascular research studies within the Trust. As a cardiovascular research nurse, you will be allocated to specific clinical trials, however you will also be expected to be flexible and on occasion may have to work on other studies, based on your caseload and capacity to take on extra work. As well as working with clinical investigators, you will also work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary care teams involved in the management of clinical trial patients on studies to which you are assigned.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will:
Assist senior research staff in the day-to-day running of research projects, caring for research patients, and liaising with other departments and external agencies.
Obtain informed consent for research projects, including genetic research, ensuring the following is accounted for:
1. The patient (and significant others) fully understand the nature of the clinical trial.
2. The patient is aware that entry into the trial is voluntary and they can withdraw at any point without prejudice.
3. The patient is aware of any extra procedures required by the trial.
4. The consent form is completed accurately and filed as required.
Collect and process blood and other samples from patients for research projects.
Working for our organisation
The post holder will be working closely with key Professors and Investigators on a new novel study. Our research programme is at the heart of everything we do at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and plays a vital role in helping us to consolidate and grow on our position as one of the UK’s leading research Trusts.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post-holder will:
5. Assist senior research staff in the day-to-day running of research projects, caring for research patients, and liaising with other departments and external agencies.
6. Obtain informed consent for research projects, including genetic research, ensuring the following is accounted for:
7. The patient (and significant others) fully understand the nature of the clinical trial.
8. The patient is aware that entry into the trial is voluntary and they can withdraw at any point without prejudice.
9. The patient is aware of any extra procedures required by the trial.
10. The consent form is completed accurately and filed as required.
11. Collect and process blood and other samples from patients for research projects.
12. Maintain and regularly update databases on patients records and outcomes, including associated administrative tasks such as writing to patients or their medical teams
13. Assist in the management, coordination, organisation and implementation of basic science and clinical trial protocols in accordance with International Conference on Harmonisation/ Good Clinical Practice (ICH/GCP). This would be for both non-commercial and commercial studies
14. Use appropriate manual and computerized systems, and ensure accurate collection and maintenance of all study records, including the backing up of data.
15. Supervise and assist in the development of local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
16. Facilitate effective communication of complex study information with all relevant research personnel, including medical, nursing, administrative, and pharmacy staff.
17. Identify strategies and take responsibility for the recruitment of patients into clinical studies at the RBHT to which you are allocated.
18. Identify barriers to recruitment to trials and ensure that the site PI and Research Office are made aware of them. Identify and implement action/plans as required.
19. Ensure that clinical trial protocols are adhered to.
20. Ensure that you and the teams on the clinical trials to which you are assigned are working according to GCP, HTA, and research governance standards for clinical trials.
21. Supply data as required to the RBHT Research Office and the North-West London CRN regarding progress of clinical trials.
Responsibility for Clinical Care
The post-holder will:
22. Provide a high standard of nursing care within a multi-professional research team.
23. Co-ordinate the care of your own case load of clinical trial patients.
24. Work within Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to RBH&FT policies and procedures.
25. Ensure the smooth planning, implementing and running of research studies.
26. Ensure participant treatment is in accordance with clinical research protocols.
27. Act as patient advocate ensuring their rights are protected at all times.
28. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings, and appropriate clinics, to screen and recruit new patients, and to act as a resource to the members of the MDT.
Ensure the safe administration of treatments and drugs given within the context of a clinical trial.
Ensure that trial specific investigations are undertaken as required by the trial protocol, in order to establish eligibility and safety to enter the trial.
Maintain accurate documentation of patient events in nursing/medical notes.
Report and record serious adverse events that occur whilst the patient is in the clinical trial to the trial co-coordinator/PI and relevant local personnel
Provide ongoing information, education and support to patients (and their significant others) regarding clinical trials.
Continually evaluate the quality of care given, regularly assessing the needs of the participant and effect change required to ensure their safety.
Participate in internal and external working groups to develop and share evidence based/best practice, locally, nationally and internationally.
Assist in planning staff rotas and ensuring cover for planned/annual leave within the team as delegated.
Be prepared to work flexibly to provide a comprehensive research service to participants.
Liaise with Study monitors to assist with internal and external Quality Assurance and Audit.
Contribute towards the development of the nursing team, assisting in implementing policies, cascading information and delivering training as required.
Please review job description document for full responsibilities.
Person specification
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
29. Registered Nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
30. With relevant post graduate experience or training course in mentorship
31. Evidence of on-going professional development.
Desirable criteria
32. Specialist qualification. Educated to or working towards Degree level.
33. Recognised qualification in teaching and mentorship
EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
34. •Significant relevant post registration experience
35. •Knowledge of current issues within acute health care
36. •Understanding of personal accountability.
37. •Logical and consistent work and career pattern.
38. •Recent NHS experience
39. •Clinical Research experience
Desirable criteria
40. •Knowledge of Research Governance Framework (RGF), International Conference on Harmonisation/Good Clinical Practice (ICH/GCP)
41. •Recent management experience
42. •Experience of working in a acute clinical setting
43. •Experience of respiratory nursing
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential criteria
44. •Ability to work independently assessing and treating patients participating in research.
45. •Excellent interpersonal, communication, organization and time management skills.
46. •Able to use initiative.
47. •Able to prioritise and deliver agreed objectives
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential criteria
48. •Ability to deal with stressful situations.
49. •Assertive.
50. •Able to lead, motivate, delegate and be a good team player within a multidisciplinary team.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential criteria
51. •Flexibility
52. •Able to work flexible hours including shifts and occasional weekend work.
53. •Ability to move and handle patients and equipment.
54. •Demonstrates clarity in use of English language.
55. •Appropriately completed application form.
Desirable criteria
56. Proven ability to manage change
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.