Please note that this post is offered as a fixed term 12 month contract at 37.5 h/week.
This Band 7 Research Nurse post has been created to act as a key partner in the delivery of the CARE-GM project which is a collaboration between the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. The project aims to increase the awareness of clinical trials for patients from ethnic minority backgrounds and increase the number of patients participating in clinical trials.

THE PROJECT HAS TWO MAIN AIMS:

Firstly, to recruit a Research Nurse to work with the Breast and Colorectal teams, by supporting the MDT and oncology clinics and increasing patient awareness and participation in clinical trials. The Research Nurse will work within the North Manchester/ Oldham areas as it is one of the more ethnically diverse areas in Greater Manchester
Secondly, the team at the GM Cancer Alliance aim to engage with the community to upskill and educate support group leads/community leaders to understand more about cancer research and how to talk to patients they support.
The post-holder will also liaise with the research team at the GM Cancer Alliance to develop the community engagement work.
This post will sit within the Breast Cancer clinical research team at The Christie and lead on this area of the project by ensuring the provision of research nurse to support in the Breast & Colorectal oncology clinics serving Oldham & North Manchester.
To work as an expert practitioner in clinical research, providing specialist advice, information, support to patients with a diagnosis of Breast or Colorectal cancer, focusing on clinical trials.
To work alongside the existing research teams
To identify cancer clinical trials that are potentially suitable for patients
To ensure all patients are screened for any potential clinical trials, including liaising with members of the multi-disciplinary team where necessary, to ensure that treatment pathways are seamless and not compromised
To work with the patient’s clinical team to provide appropriate information. This will require having a good working knowledge of the clinical trial protocols open to recruitment both locally and regionally
To discuss the principles of clinical trials to patients and their carers, with the aid of specialist materials
To attend breast & colorectal oncology clinics, MDTs and clinical trial meetings & to work closely with local research teams and CNS teams to cross cover gaps in potential participant identification
To support patients who enrol into clinical trials at The Christie NHS Trust, including liaising with appropriate internal and external departments to address any barriers (e.g. logistical, financial) to participation or continued participation
To work closely with the GM Cancer Alliance team regarding the project as a whole, including the evaluation of the intervention and the community engagement work.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
The Breast and Colorectal disease team consists of nurses and consultants with clinical trial coordination and project management support. The portfolio is driven to deliver treatment opportunities to as many patients with Breast and Colorectal cancer at The Christie as possible.
There is a close working relationship with all members of the team with a strategy to increase recruitment into these niche protocols thus offering patients more opportunities to be involved in clinical research. We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated individual to join our team, to help develop streamlined ways of cross-team working and to provide our research patients with the best possible experience.
Clinical Research Co-ordination
Work autonomously in all areas of practice relating to clinical research.
Understand and deliver care in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols.
Oversee the process for obtaining NHS permissions (R&D approval) for clinical trials within team. As project lead, ensures permissions are in place prior to any patient recruitment.
Undertake feasibility and risk assessments of clinical trial protocols in conjunction with Team Leader, Principal Investigator and Senior Clinical Trials Co-Ordinator
Ensure all clinical trial activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
Awareness of trial specific, regional, and national targets.
Initiate new recruitment strategies for recruiting patients to clinical trials including engagement with the research network
In conjunction with Team Leader lead on the delegation of all trial related activities to research team members (clinical and administrative) and ensure compliance with SOPs and ICH/GCP.
Work with team leader and sponsor companies in the preparation and negotiation of financial contracts for individual trials.
Arrange and facilitate clinical trial related meetings.
In conjunction with Team Leader, oversee appropriate financial remunerations for clinical trial activity
Clinical Service and Professional Responsibilities
Assimilation of highly complex information relating to clinical trials and communication to patients at a level appropriate to their understanding. Ensure highly sensitive information is communicated to patients, relatives, and careers regarding prognosis
Responsible for the development, implementation, and review of specialist care pathways in conjunction with appropriate personnel.
Demonstration of expert knowledge in specialist area to maintain clinical excellence.
Set up processes/patient pathways in conjunction with appropriate personnel from specialist research areas to promote a cost-effective timely service for individual protocols (shared care pathways, specialist clinics, etc.).
Support Team Leader in delivering divisional and trust strategic objectives including performance indicators and metrics.
Escalation of governance issues impacting on delivery of job purpose.
To act as a primary contact point for the clinical trial patients and act as adviser to other health care professionals.
Responsibility for maintenance and development of professional knowledge and practice by attending mandatory and specialist training (e.g., GCP) in accordance with local policy
Ensuring care delivery standards in accordance with trial protocol, local policy, NMC Code of Practice Conduct and current best practice

Please refer the Job description for details