Overview
This is a secondment post open to qualified midwives or nurses, responsible for operational research delivery within Women's and Children’s Services, maximising recruitment into research studies within the Trust. The post involves leading research studies, establishing study feasibility, pre-trial setup, recruitment of participants, education and monitoring of research patients, and the collection and documentation of accurate data. The post holder will ensure that any research undertaken safeguards the wellbeing of participants and is conducted to Good Clinical Practice.
Interviews will be held in person at Watford General Hospital on 1 October 2025. Prior to the interview you will be invited to a pre-interview Excel-based assessment (29 September 2025) conducted remotely via MS Teams. Please ensure you have access to a computer with MS Excel and Teams. We will contact you on the email provided to arrange the pre-interview assessment.
Core hours are Monday to Friday, with occasional requirements for working outside core hours based on service needs.
Main duties of the job
* Clinical activities to be performed initially under supervision, with increasing autonomy and independent working.
* Attend multidisciplinary team meetings, identifying patients eligible for clinical trials; assist with recruitment of patients to clinical trials using trial eligibility criteria for studies in maternity.
* Assist in the smooth running of clinics by obtaining results and scans prior to appointments; book investigations as directed by medical, nursing, midwifery staff and clinical trial assistants.
* Assist patients with quality of life and other questionnaires as necessary; deal with telephone queries from patients and carers with support of the research nurse/midwife; refer queries to other team members as required.
* Be involved in the administration of experimental and/or unlicensed intravenous investigational medicinal products.
* Perform phlebotomy, including cord blood extractions and heel prick testing; assist in safe handling, storage and shipping of bloods, histology specimens and other bodily fluids for research purposes.
* Learn to become the patient’s guide and advocate through the decision-making process involved in trial participation.
About Us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and updates to theatres at St Albans City Hospital, we are expanding and modernising services. We value staff wellbeing and development, innovation in clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together; values: empowered, compassionate, professional, inclusive. We offer flexible working options to support work-life balance. For more information on flexible working, visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful.
Details
Date posted: 10 September 2025
Pay: Band 6; £40,617 to £48,778 per year inc HCA
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference: 360-E-10506
Location: Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0HB
Job Description and Responsibilities (summary)
* Understand policies and legislation relating to clinical trials; prepare for external inspections (e.g., MHRA) and internal audits.
* Register/randomise patients into trial protocols; extract data from patient case notes and transfer to trial Case Report Forms.
* Assist in data collection, database maintenance, and filing/storage of trial data sheets; send data to Clinical Trials Units as appropriate.
* Support delivery and management of clinical trials; maintain channels of communication to ensure policies and SOPs are understood and followed.
* Liaise with clinical trials units and attend unit meetings and seminars; ensure safeguarding training to Level 3 is adequate.
* Facilitate informed consent, liaise with trial personnel outside the hospital as necessary, and coordinate care for your caseload of participants.
* Ensure recruitment records are maintained and staff are informed of progress; travel to other sites as needed.
Person Specification
Essential
* Registered Nurse/Registered Midwife with NMC Pin
* Level 3 safeguarding
* Preceptorship competition
Desirable
* GCP training with understanding of Research Governance/ICH-GCP
* Knowledge of evidence-based practice; interest in research; venepuncture and cannulation including cord blood extractions and neonatal heel prick testing
Experience
* Essential: Post-registration NHS experience in an acute or research setting
* Desirable: Experience in a clinical research environment; participant recruitment from diverse backgrounds; teaching/mentoring junior staff
Other
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check required; this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (exceptions). UK Skilled Worker sponsorship information applies; applicants should refer to UK Visas and Immigration guidance. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
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