Senior Research Nurse/Coordinator - Band 6

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a Senior Research Nurse / Coordinator to join the Research Delivery Teams within our Trust Research and Innovation Department. This is an exciting opportunity to join our expanding team of staff who manage the care of patients taking part in clinical research studies. We are looking for highly motivated and dynamic candidates with experience, or an interest, in clinical research. This postholder will support oncology research projects initially but will work flexibly across multiple specialties as required. Essential research skills training will be given.
The post holder will provide specialist research knowledge, expertise and research portfolio management within a Research Delivery Team based in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and will ensure studies are led safely and efficiently while meeting local and national performance targets. Our team of specialist staff can coordinate the whole study process, from patient identification, recruitment and treatments, to follow-up care. Our registered nurses and study coordinators work alongside our data and administration staff and clinical teams across multiple specialties to deliver high-quality patient care in both in-patient and out-patient settings.
The R&I department offers opportunities for learning, development and career progression.
The Senior Research Nurse/Coordinator will provide specialist knowledge and expertise to a Research Delivery Team based within Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and research clinics within the Research Facility Centre (see job description for full details):
The post requires degree-level, or equivalent, scientific knowledge and excellent communication skills
Highly developed organisational skills with ability to multi-task
Ability to work flexible hours & travel between hospital sites as required to meet service needs
Extensive knowledge of clinical trials, including but not limited to, Research Governance and Good Clinical Practice in Research
Provide leadership for the delivery of a portfolio of studies under the direction of the Lead Research Nurse/Coordinator Ensuring that patient’s care and treatment, assessment, follow-up and data collection are coordinated according to the appropriate research protocols
Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively to a wide multidisciplinary team
Liaise with clinical specialty teams across all settings, as well as with appropriate Research & Innovation Departments, Trust support departments, external sponsors and key stakeholders
Line manage, supervise and develop junior staff
This job description is an outline only and does not contain an exhaustive list of duties; the post holder may therefore be required to undertake additional responsibilities
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust wishes to strengthen its position as a leading Research and Innovation institution. Our Trust currently supports over 100 clinical trials with many more in the pipeline and we have exciting plans to increase our research activity, our commercial partnerships and links with MedTech, and we looking for the right staff to support our growing clinical research teams.

SEE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR FULL DETAILS:

Research Study Management

• Contribute to the set-up of research studies within the wider research team. Liaise with the R&I Professional Services Team, Principal Investigators, support departments, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure a thorough feasibility process.
• Able to identify and plan strategies for recruiting patients into trials. Working with Principal Investigators to develop initiatives to increase patient involvement.
• Ensure trial protocols are followed and that trials are conducted according to the national research legislation, Research Governance Framework, R&I Standard Operating Procedures, GHNHFT policies and Good Clinical Practice.
• Lead on, and maintain an expert research knowledge of a portfolio of trials, acting as a reference point for team members, train research team and wider healthcare team to ensure safety of all trial participants, and attend multi-disciplinary meetings
• Liaise with MDT members to establish procedures for the safe set up and smooth running of clinical trials and act as a resource and contact point in matters concerning trial patients and trial protocols with all stakeholders. Assist in achieving GHNHSFT research KPIs.

Study Delivery

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of clinical trial patients, including safe administration of treatments and drugs that are given within the context of a clinical trial, as applicable to professional registration and Trust POPAM policy. Reporting of serious adverse events to all relevant personnel following the relevant SOPs.
• Assess patients as required by trial protocols and take appropriate and timely action for patients with trial related complications/toxicities. May be required to take blood and other clinical samples, and administer treatments for which training has been given, as applicable to professional registration, R&I SOPs and Trust POPAM policy.
• Responsible for the coordination of clinical trials, assist in the day to day running of the Research Delivery Teams. Take an active role in line management, recruitment and development of staff.
• Act as a key worker for patients throughout their clinical trial experience. Provide continuity of care for patients and carers throughout the trial programme. Receive informed consent and provide ongoing information, education and support to clinical trial patients and their carers.
• Ensure trial records are accurately maintained, including, but not limited to: records in nursing/medical paper and electronic notes, case report forms, trial site files. Ensure that trust procedures and policies are followed and in accordance with Good Clinical Practice and R&I SOPs. Responsible for ensuring accurate study records are maintained on EDGE (Clinical Trials IT system).

Other Duties

• Take an active role in research promotion for staff and patients. Provide teaching on clinical trials to healthcare professionals assist with educating patients and relatives about clinical trials and assist with the induction and education of new team members. To raise the profile of research and deliver research education days to members of the public.
• Assist in the development and teaching of local standard operating procedures for the trials team and contribute to quality assurance programmes in the Network and Trust.
• Provide cover for other Senior Research Nurses/Coordinators during periods of absence including sick leave, annual leave and when positions are vacant across the research delivery teams.
• Coordinate, set up and maintain Research Co-ordinator / Nurse led clinics. Act as Principal Investigator for clinical trials when appropriate.
• Provide, maintain and facilitate a high standard of clinical trial practice across a broad portfolio, developing and promoting effective channels of communication both verbally and electronically. Network with multidisciplinary team to access expert knowledge and practice to facilitate trial patient journey.

Other Duties

• Take an active role in research promotion for staff and patients. Provide teaching on clinical trials to healthcare professionals assist with educating patients and relatives about clinical trials and assist with the induction and education of new team members. To raise the profile of research and deliver research education days to members of the public.
• Assist in the development and teaching of local standard operating procedures for the trials team and contribute to quality assurance programmes in the Network and Trust.
• Provide cover for other Senior Research Nurses/Coordinators during periods of absence including sick leave, annual leave and when positions are vacant across the research delivery teams.
• Coordinate, set up and maintain Research Co-ordinator / Nurse led clinics. Act as Principal Investigator for clinical trials when appropriate.
• Provide, maintain and facilitate a high standard of clinical trial practice across a broad portfolio, developing and promoting effective channels of communication both verbally and electronically. Network with multidisciplinary team to access expert knowledge and practice to facilitate trial patient journey

Managerial Role

• Assessment and training of junior staff within the trials team, in line with identified training needs. Line management; coordinating the team, delegating duties and supporting their personal and practice development. This includes annual and performance management where necessary.
• Work closely with the Lead Research Nurse/Coordinator and Research Matrons, and the Governance & Oversight Group to monitor performance and ensure research is conducted according to current regulations.
• Take responsibility for recruiting and retaining team members in conjunction with the Lead Research Nurse/Coordinator.
• Support the induction of new staff to the research team

Professional Role

• To maintain own personal & professional development, including keeping evidence required for revalidation/professional registration accreditation
• Act as a credible clinical role model
• Practice in a confident and competent professional manne