Clinical Research Nurse

Job summary
Please note that this post is offered as a permanent contract at 37.5 h/week.This post presents an excellent opportunity to join an established and expanding team as a Clinical Research Nurse (CRN). The Lung cancer research team is responsible for a varied portfolio of academic and commercial clinical trials.Research nursing is an exciting and developing role, supported through the R&I division it offers good education and development opportunities to ensure that staff reach their potential. Central to this role is the responsibility of assessing and managing the complex needs of patients participating in a clinical trial, working closely with the multidisciplinary team to deliver the specified treatments and coordinate the trial protocol schedule.Key responsibilities of the post include supporting the coordination of the patient's pathway through an agreed portfolio of clinical trials. Excellent communications skills in all forms are required for this role for difficult clinical conversations with patients and their families, working alongside the clinical trial coordinators to deliver quality research. A background in oncology, flexibility in working, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience in clinical research and/or oncology would be desirable.An informal discussion about the post is strongly recommended with the possibility to spend some time with the team to understand better the requirement of the role.

Main duties of the job
The CRN will be involved in every stage of the portfolio activities including feasibility reviews of new clinical trial opportunities, set-up and activation of new trials, patient recruitment and management, supporting team with data query resolution, reviewing protocol amendments, providing patient-centred insights to the research delivery team by supporting both the patients and the team through all aspects of clinical research of the Lung Cancer portfolio.With support from the team the CRN will ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the patients is maintained within the requirement of the multi-regulatory frameworks for clinical research ensuring compliance with ICH/GCP standards and Trust SOPs.By utilising national frameworks for auditing patients experience the CRN will ensure the patients in the Lung cancer disease portfolio studies will have the best possible experience whilst participating in clinical research.Raise the profile of the clinical research nurse and clinical trials within the trust by engaging in promotional events relating to clinical research with attendance and contributions at local, national and international meetings.Demonstrate awareness and contribution to divisional, Trust and national objectives and strategies.

About us
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. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job responsibilities

• 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.
• Understand the process for obtaining NHS permissions (R&D approval) for conducting clinical trials at site.
• As project lead, ensure permissions are in place prior to any patient recruitment.
• Participate in clinical trial feasibilities and risk assessments of clinical trial protocols.
• Ensure all clinical trial activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Awareness of trial specific, regional and national targets.
• Identify and implement strategies for recruiting patients to clinical trials ensuring that targets for patient recruitment are delivered.
• Delegation and oversight of research related activities to research team members (clinical and administrative) and ensure compliance with SOPs and ICH/GCP.
• Arrange and facilitate clinical trial related meetings.
• Involvement in 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 carers regarding prognosis.
• Contribute to 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.
• Demonstrate awareness of 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 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.
• Development and maintenance of a high-quality service by: Overseeing the safe administration of all licensed and unlicensed medicinal products within the context of a clinical trial.
• Overseeing assessment and evaluation of treatment toxicities and initiation of appropriate intervention.
• Contribute to development of specialist Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines.
• Provide education and support for non-research staff in the delivery of protocol driven treatment for all patients.
• Participate in monitoring and audit activities within research team.
• To carry out non-medical prescribing within scope of professional practice and in accordance with local policies and procedures and national legislation (optional and depending on clinical service needs).

Personal Education, Training and Development

• Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge and practice through a process of appraisal and personal development planning.
• Promote the role of the clinical research nurse as an integral part of the healthcare system.
• Increase and maintain awareness of current advances in cancer treatments, research and nursing practice thereby maintaining the highest standard of care for patients with cancer and implementing evidence-based care by continuing professional development.
• Participation in trust-wide education programmes and study days.
• Obtain clinical supervision as appropriate.
• To keep up to date with departmental, Trust, UK and EU developments for the management of clinical research ensuring timely, effective implementation of changes.
• Attendance at team and divisional meeting.

Staff Management and Development

• To Support the Senior Clinical Research Nurse in the induction and continued supervision of junior members of staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory compliance and legislation.
• Support the development of specialist study days within own research team.
• Assist in the provision of specialist education and training in relation to clinical trials to all key stakeholders.
• Disseminate information by attendance and /or presentations at local, national and international conferences/meetings.
• Contribute to the development of members of the research team.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered General Nurse -Currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
• First Degree or relevant clinical experience

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in oncology and/or clinical research
• GCP/ICH recognised recent training

Experience
Essential

• Experience of oncology nursing
• Experience of working autonomously and as part of a Multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to demonstrate evidence of service improvement

Desirable

• Experience of working in a clinical research environment

Skills
Essential

• Highly effective communication skills
• Advance organisational skills
• Good written and analytical skills
• Able to manage work autonomously and manage own workload
• Demonstrable IT Skills - able to use Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook

Desirable

• Intra-venous access and cannulation skills administration of IV chemotherapy
• Good presentation skills

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of the clinical trial process
• Knowledge of ICH-GCP & research governance framework
• Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policy relating to specialist area

Desirable

• Knowledge of Research Ethics Committees
• Knowledge of the purpose of clinical research

Other
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
• Maintain professional development and have an awareness of current nursing issues
• Demonstrates flexibility in working hours

Desirable

• Assertiveness

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.