Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team with an international reputation for looking after children with rare genetic diseases.
Focussed on developing new therapies for disorders of the skeleton, we run ground-breaking clinical trials using precision medications. We are proud to adopt holistic care for our patients, advocating for the children and their families too, helping them navigate this complex and innovative research space in improving their medical care outcomes.
This is an unrivalled chance to learn new skills in a unique medical field, practise high-quality nursing and be part of an energetic team, dedicated to helping infants and young people with rare diseases.
Main duties of the job
As a Paediatric Research Nurse, you will play a key role in coordinating and delivering a genetic portfolio of research studies including. This expanding portfolio, consists of a number of observational, phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials involving investigational medicinal product studies (CTIMPs). You will be responsible for the holistic nursing care of children / young people and their families on existing and new clinical trials and contribute to the assessment and management of care pathways for patients participating in clinical studies.
As a skilled communicator, the successful candidate, must also possess excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills and be able to act as an ambassador for promoting research utilisation and best practice.
The normal working hours for the post is Monday - Friday 9am- 5pm although the post holder may need to be flexible to accommodate patient visits and assessments outside of these hours when required.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
Dr Melita Irving has led the paediatric genetics team for several years, during which time she has helped establish whole exome sequencing as a diagnostic genetic test, and set up dedicated multidisciplinary clinics in skeletal dysplasia, achondroplasia-hypochondroplasia and dental genetics, including KBG syndrome. As a key opinion leader and expert in clinical trials in rare diseases of the skeleton, Melita holds a number of national and international positions of responsibility.
Our trials portfolio covers various commercial and non-commercial trials covering various skeletal dysplasia conditions and biologic treatments. We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Comprehensive information is provided on the role and requirements within job description and person specification.
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
1. Understanding of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality issues
2. Understanding of professional and current issues in children’s nursing.
3. Knowledge of clinical governance and improvement agenda
Desirable criteria
4. Knowledge of research governance and regulations (ICH/GCP and EU Directives
5. Knowledge of ethical and legal constraints of clinical research.
Previous experience
Essential criteria
6. Extensive experience of working within an acute paediatric ward environment as a qualified nurse with previous acute NHS experience
7. Experience of handling clinical incidents and complaints
8. Previous experience of research and audit
Desirable criteria
9. Experience of staff management and development
10. Venepuncture and cannulation trained
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. NMC Registered Nurse (Child)
12. Must be a holder of current paediatric immediate life support qualification
13. Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
14. GCP accreditation
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.