Job overview
The Alzheimer’s Society UK Dementia Trials Network (UKDTN) Lead Clinical Research Nurse has a key leadership and management role at a senior level within Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH).
Working in partnership with the GMMH Clinical Research Delivery Manager, the local UK Dementia Trials Network (UKDTN) Principal Investigator Dr Ross Dunne, local and national UKDTN and Alzheimer’s Society funded staff and the wider clinical and research infrastructure the post-holder will lead the delivery and growth of early phase dementia clinical trials across Greater Manchester.
Liaising with clinical investigators and both commercial and non-commercial sponsors the post holder will oversee the management and delivery of early phase dementia trial protocols and will be involved in ensuring that the research undertaken safeguards the well-being of the patients and is conducted within research governance legislation and Trust policies for Research. The post holder will also be responsible for directly managing and supporting patients on early phase dementia clinical trials.
Main duties of the job
Work closely with the R&I Trial Manager to facilitate the development, implementation, set-up and progress of early phase dementia clinical research studies, ensuring that studies are run in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the Research Governance Framework / UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research.
Has extensive knowledge of the GMMH strategic objectives, the local R&D landscape and research specific guidelines Good Clinical Practice, Research Governance and EU Clinical Trials Directives.
Lead on the development and execution of relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensuring these are updated as required.
Lead on the development of research protocols as required.
Ensure all study documentation is developed in order to accurately record research activity raise concerns and seek to address incomplete, inaccurate or misleading documentation.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
1. Pay Enhancements
2. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
3. Excellent pension
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Salary sacrifice car scheme
6. Wellbeing programme
7. fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. Registered nurse - currently registered with the NMC
9. Masters in healthcare subject or substantial equivalent experience
10. Teaching and Assessing Award (Mentorship)
Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Current Good Clinical Practice certificate
12. Good understanding of research governance guidance and legislation
13. Understanding of evidence based practice
14. Understanding of: Clinical Research in a Mental Health Trust and how delivery is organised, HRA and NHS R&D landscape, NIHR Local Clinical Research Networks, The Mental Health landscape and how care is organised
Desirable criteria
15. Understands “Systems Leadership”
Experience
Essential criteria
16. Significant Post Registration nursing experience
17. Experience of working in Mental Health and Dementia settings or equivalent experience in providing care for patients diagnosed with MCI / dementia / neurodegenerative conditions
18. Experience of conducting clinical research across a range of study designs in dementia / mental health / neurodegeneration or early phase.
19. Significant experience in co-ordinating clinical trials from initiation to closure including archiving.
20. Experience of managing teams
21. Evidence of some leadership experience in a research context, leading to innovation in practice
22. Experience of working autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
23. Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
24. Wide range of clinical experience and skills
Desirable criteria
25. Experience in the administration of rating scales commonly used in dementia and Mental Health clinical trials or studies
26. Experience of clinical audits both internal and external including MHRA, FDA or Sponsor audits
27. Experience of writing standard operating procedures for clinical research and individual protocols.
28. Willing to undertake further clinical training as required such as venepuncture, cannulation, IV drug administration.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
29. Highly effective communication skills
30. Effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries
31. Ability to work towards local targets, meet tight deadlines and cope in a highly demanding environment
32. Significant involvement in informed consent process within scope of professional practice.
33. Co-ordinates care pathway for patients and carers participating in clinical research
34. Manages, assesses and supports the physical and psychological needs of the patient and carer
35. Training and leadership skills
36. Demonstrable IT Skills able to use Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and use of databases
Desirable criteria
37. Good presentation skills
Other requirements
Essential criteria
38. Evidence of on-going professional development
39. Demonstrates interest in research
40. Creative & Flexible approach to working hours
41. Able to travel independently across multiple sites
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.