Research Nurse - Community Research Team

at  Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

This is an exciting opportunity to take up an integral role in the newly developed Community Research Team as part of the Research & Innovation department in Nottingham University Hospitals.
You will be part of a service committed to taking the type of high quality clinical research you would normally expect to be undertaken in a hospital environment out into the community, giving the public access to a wider variety of clinically important and translational research within their own communities and working alongside them to develop new strategies of delivery with a greater emphasis on inclusion and diversity driven by the needs of the communities we serve.
You will work alongside a team highly experienced clinical team to organise and facilitate International and National, Commercial and Non-Commercial Clinical Trials in community facing venues throughout Nottingham.
A large part of this work will take place on our own purpose-built Mobile Research Unit, commissioned specifically with the needs of the wider community in mind and in operation since June 2023. The unit is a self-contained clinical research delivery space on wheels, built to work wherever the need is identified and intended to facilitate research access in areas of social and health deprivation in order to bring greater equality to research service provision by actively seeking those who traditionally would not have had access to this service.
The post holder will work predominantly on-board a purpose built mobile clinical facility. As such there are a number of working regulations which must be observed in addition to the standard Trust requirements. You will be required to undergo specific health and safety training to observe while on-board the unit and you will be required to work alongside the other team members to maintain the safety and standards of the unit to a high level.
While not working on board the Mobile Unit, you will work from offices within the NUH Clinical Research facilities, which may be at the Queen’s Medical Centre or City Hospital Nottingham sites. You may also, on occasion, be required to work at or visit the National Rehabilitation Centre.
You will be required to work from a number of sites around the various areas of Nottingham and potentially into the surrounding Nottinghamshire area. You will be required to use your own vehicle or public transport to reach these sites and will be required to maintain appropriate insurance for any vehicle you use in order to have your travel expenses reimbursed.
The hours of work are flexible office hours with the occasional requirement to do unsocial hours and weekend working. There will be occasions when you are working with the general public in the community where adherence to strict lone-working policy and procedure will be vital to maintaining safe working standards.
NUH is one of the most research-active hospitals in the UK.
We are already recognised as a centre of excellence for clinical research and innovation in healthcare, hosting the National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre and Nottingham Clinical Research Facility; and leading life-changing research in areas of established clinical and academic strengths. Our strong partnerships with local universities are one of the reasons NUH was chosen as the host for the new National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) at Stamford Hall.
Our collaborations with other research organisations drive the translation of research between our clinical staff and our academic partners to meet the needs of our patients. We are in the process of forming a regional NHS-academia-industry partnership which will further base our research in addressing the needs of patients locally, regionally, and nationally.
NUH has an established track record for high quality research; we are regularly in the top ten sites in England as evidenced by NIHR data.
Research-active NHS organisations are the corner-stone of clinically, academically and industrially-led research to advance understanding of disease, develop new treatments and technology and transform health.
1. Clinical
1.1. Assist research nurses/ACP’s/Clinicians in delivery of patient care to research participants.
1.2. Support and co-ordinate obtaining and processing of blood and tissue samples in the clinical setting as well as optimising recruitment via clinics and MDT’s.
1.3. Work alongside research nurses ensuring samples are collected and recorded per protocol.
1.4. Review and record treatments, adverse events, and response to treatment to relevant study documentation including source data and case report forms including electronic data entry.
1.5. Plan, prepare and participate in monitoring visits and respond to trial data queries.
2. Communication
2.1. To function as a member of the Research and Innovation Clinical Trials Team to provide dedicated clinical trials support to research teams across NUH. Working within a multi-disciplinary team, to co-ordinate a caseload of patients participating in local, national, and international clinical trials in various treatment types.
2.2. Disseminate information to consultants regarding new trials on the National Institute of Health Research trial portfolio as well as non-adopted clinical trials, to enable optimal patient recruitment.
2.3. Ensure ethics and R&D approval and indemnities are in place before recruitment of first patients to a newly set up trial. Facilitate the set-up of trials on site i.e. SSI submission via IRAS account, liaise with trial centre and other relevant staff to organise trial set-up visits.
2.4. Liaise with clinical teams to organise and ensure that trial specific investigations are undertaken as and when required, obtain the results, ensure eligibility, and randomise the patient.
2.5. Liaise with medical staff to record organise and ensure the timely administration of treatment and any necessary follow up investigations and visits.
2.6. Liaise with histopathology ensuring tissue samples are stored via Tissue Bank guidelines, organising storage and catalogue of samples kept.
2.7. To ensure effective communication with support departments to request and obtain specific trial related information. E.g. Radiology copy scans, histological status, and tissue samples.
2.8. Organise the collection, storage, and shipment of protocol specific samples. Explain, dispense, and collect patient quality of life questionnaires and diaries. Liaise with designated Pharmacist to co-ordinate the availability and dispensing of trial drugs if required.
2.9. Provide information to allow for invoices to be raised for payments where appropriate.
2.10. Contribute to and supply verbal and written information on the team’s portfolio of trials and the number of patients recruited to the R&I team, hospital/university staff, local/Network meetings, regulatory bodies etc., as required.
3. Managerial
3.1. Maintain patient’s records and accurately document data collected in case report forms and medical notes, ensuring correct storage, and maintaining confidentiality.
3.2. Actively and independently participate in trial set up including gaining relevant permissions and submitting SSI forms.
3.3. To record trial activity on data systems and plan yearly Audits on recruitment as required by the clinicians.
3.4. Forward trial data in a timely manner to the trial co-ordinating centre and liaise with their personnel, as necessary.
3.5. Attend local and national meetings and feedback to members of the team.
4. Professional
4.1. Work alongside medical and nursing staff to assist in the informed consent process by giving information to patients concerning trials and allowing them to reach a fully informed decision about participation.
4.2. To have specific and specialist knowledge of the patient pathway with regard to individual patients’ diagnosis and the treatment options that are available to them.
4.3. In discussion with the team leader, report adverse and serious adverse events to the relevant trial centre and site personnel, within the agreed timelines to ensure trial procedures and patient safety parameters are met.
4.4. Act as a contact point for the patient and their relatives. Maintaining contact with and providing ongoing information and support to the patient in a sensitive and professional manner. Refer to other specialists as required in order to provide optimal patient care.
4.5. Participate in Continued professional development and undertake additional training as required per Knowledge Skills Framework and research staff competence framework.
5. Speciality Specific
5.1. Assist in the review of trial protocols and identify resource implications for the site.
5.2. Identify patients suitable for entry into clinical trials by attending clinics and Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings.
5.3. Ensure trial protocols are adhered to and that all personnel involved in trials are aware of any changes or protocol amendments. Liaise with trial centres and relevant departments in order to promote a good working environment and ensure the smooth running of clinical trials for patients.
5.4. Work, at all times, according to regulations described in NUH Policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures, Good Clinical Research Practice and European Directive and R&I Standard Operation Procedures.
NOTE: The duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the policies, procedures, and practices of the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which the Hospital will amend from time to time. Copies are available on each Ward and Department. It is the individual’s responsibility to keep up to date with these and other policy documents.

In addition to the key job responsibilities detailed in this job description all employees at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust are expected to comply with the general duties detailed below:
Infection Control
To maintain a clean, safe environment, ensuring adherence to the Trust’s standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control.
Safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults
Nottingham University Hospitals is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment.
Information Governance
All staff have an individual responsibility for creating accurate records of their work and for making entries into and managing all NHS records effectively in line with the Health Record Keeping Policy and other Health Records and Corporate Records Management policies and procedures in order to meet the Trust’s legal, regulatory and accountability requirements .
Health and Safety
To take reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
To co-operate fully in discharging the Trust policies and procedures with regard to health and safety matters.
To immediately report to their manager any shortcomings in health and safety procedures and practice.
To report any accidents or dangerous incidents to their immediate manager and safety representative as early as possible and submit a completed accident/incident form.
To use protective clothing and equipment where provided.
Whilst the aim of the Trust is to promote a co-operative and constructive view of health and safety concerns in the organisation, all staff must be aware that a wilful or irresponsible disregard for safety matters may give rise to disciplinary proceedings.
Governance
To actively participate in governance activities to ensure that the highest standards of care and business conduct are achieved.
Health and Wellbeing
Employees are expected to take all reasonable steps to look after both their physical health and mental health. To support employees to achieve this NUH offers a wide range of health and wellbeing activities and interventions. The full programme can be viewed at on the staff intranet.
Line managers are expected to encourage and support staff to look after their health and wellbeing, including the release of staff to attend health and wellbeing activities and interventions .
General Policies Procedures and Practices
To comply with all Trust policies, procedures, and practices and to be responsible for keeping up to date with any changes to these