Research Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

The purpose of this role is to deliver safe, high quality research nursing services within the Primary Care setting. Working within the NMC Code of Conduct and professional boundaries, the post holder will deliver health care interventions and care as defined by the parameters of the research studies and as directed by the Director of Research. The post holder will work to support relevant service development, the safe delivery and implementation of policy and procedures, and demonstrate effective professional nurse standards, advocacy and performance.

The role involves using an in depth knowledge of research protocols and their application in practice, alongside a working knowledge and compliance with the local, national and international research regulations. The Research Nurse is an independent practitioner who is supported by other clinical experts, relevant to specific research studies, and who reports and is responsible to the Director of Research and Chief Nursing Officer respectively.

The post holder will be responsible for the management, co-ordination and facilitation for a defined group of concurrent research studies, from set up to archiving, ensuring that agreed patient recruitment targets are safely achieved. This will involve direct patient contact in the recruitment, education and monitoring of patients taking part in research studies and the collection and documentation of accurate data, and will include clinical procedures.

Staff will be expected to continue to develop specialised skills and knowledge relating to the portfolio of research under their management. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly in response to a continually changing portfolio of studies.

1.Key Responsibilities

To act as a designated research study lead nurse for a cohort of studies.

Liaise with the Principal Investigators (Pls) regarding allocated research projects, using professional judgement to assess workload and capacity.

Manage, coordinate, implement and undertake delegated research studies, including managing all time lines such as first patient into study and time to target recruitment.

In collaboration with colleagues, develop and implement study plans for studies.

Responsible for the day-to-day management of delegated research studies, including problem solving, site file and document management, appropriate medical and research staff cover and skill mix for smooth running of the projects.

Actively participate in recruiting patients for research studies, liaising with other health care professional, attend clinicals to achieve this.

As part of the Research Team recruit patients eligible for research projects; providing information and support to patients involved in research projects.

To provide expert care to patients and healthy volunteers participating in research.

Act as a role model and clinical expert in research within LHG and its services to ensuring high standards of care and safety for research participants.

To provide highly specialised research advice to healthcare staff concerning the research process and studies.

Act as an ambassador for research, actively promote the value of research to clinicians, patient, service user and the wider NHS

2.Study Management

Manage, coordinate, organise and implement own caseload of research studies, working with Pls to ensure adherence to study protocol

Develop effective working partnership with CRN, Pls and other research staff, ensuring the flow of all necessary documentation and information.

Arranging clinic appointments, and coordinating investigations and procedures necessary for complex research.

Using appropriate manual and computerised systems, ensure accurate collection and maintenance of all study records. This will include the data entry of study participants onto a research study portfolio management information system.

Ensure safe use of all equipment, some of which is expensive / complex.

Reportadverseeventstoseniornursingensuringcompletionofappropriate documentation.

Inform the research team of any untoward incidents or problem areas affecting participants or staff.

When appropriate, assist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Compile information for and accurately complete study reports for delegated studies.

3.Professional Practice

Provide a high standard of nursing care within a multi professional research team.

Work with in Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to policies and procedures.

Ensure participant treatment is in accordance with clinical research protocol.

Act as patient advocate ensuring their rights are protected at all times.

Continually evaluate the quality of care given, regularly assessing the needs of the participant and effect change required to ensure their safety.

Liaise where necessary with Study Monitors to assist with internal and external Quality Assurance and Audit.

Participate in internal and external working groups to develop and share evidence based / best practice, locally, nationally and internationally.

Undertake flexible working eg Outreach research studies, working independently in other clinical areas, or for home visit.

4.Communication

The post requires excellent communication skills, being able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences such as multidisciplinary teams, service users, carers, and commercial research organisations, the public, regional and national organisations where these will be of all levels of seniority.

Facilitate effective communication of complex study information with all relevant research personnel, including: medical, nursing, administrative and pharmacy stuff at an appropriate level of understanding of the range of audiences specified.

To present research protocols to LHG staff to encourage participation.

To attend and contribute to project management group meetings for research, traveling around the country and region as required.

To keep and maintain accurate study specific records to meet audit requirements.

5.Key Working Relationships

Clinical, Nursing staff

Chief and Principal Investigators

Researchers and research staff

CRN Network colleagues

R&D departments in other NHS Trusts

Clinical Trail Support Units

Academic units attached to projects

Research ethics committees

Study coordinators/managers

NIHR CRN Coordinating Centre staff members

Commercial companies involved in research

6.Personal Development / Training

Meet NMC post-registration education and practice requirements for re registration and continued professional development.

To undertake and keep up-to-date with LHG and research mandatory training within the specified timeframe as specified by LHG

Demonstrate specialist knowledge in research area and support and encourage other staff in developing expertise and skills in this area.

Extend professional practice in skills as required by research studies.

Maintain level of clinical skills necessary to perform highly specialised procedures as required in research protocols, e.g. venepuncture, EGC

Recognise and use spontaneous and formal learning opportunities and share knowledge and experience with other staff.

Where appropriate, provide clinical supervision to junior staff, students and Allied Health Professionals.

To contribute to the Development Review process and work towards agreed personal objectives.

7.Other specific duties

The post carries a degree of autonomy with respect to the management of individual research projects. Therefore each post holder is expected to be working towards a good working knowledge of the current standards, guidelines, and principles that govern research as well as good IT skills in Microsoft applications.

This post also carries a degree of autonomy with respect to time management. The exact nature of the duties will depend on a range of factors including the nature of the research study and the qualifications and experience of the post holder.

The post holder will be required to travel throughout the services covered by the trust and on occasion, to regional and national meetings. Therefore it is essential that the post holder has access to a vehicle and have a full UK driving license.

To undertake any other duties, which may be required from time to time, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and needs of the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• NMC 1st level Registration
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Accredited Diploma Level training

Desirable

• Primary Care Nursing qualification and/or experience
• Degree in Healthcare/Nursing
• Evidence of experimental learning in Research & Development
• Clinical Supervision Training & experience
• Mentorship course or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Recent experience as Registered Nurse in a Primary Care, Community or Acute setting
• Involvement in implementing and using protocols and clinical guidelines
• Experience of managing/dealing with the public/patients
• Proactive in improving and influencing the patient care pathway/ journey
• Demonstrates the ability to manage clinical risk and has an understanding of health care governance systems
• Experience of using clinical systems & Microsoft Office software

Desirable

• Participation in quality initiatives such as clinical benchmarking
• Experience of audit and/or research
• Experience of SystemOne

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Lakeside Healthcare Group

Address

Cottingham Road

Corby

Northamptonshire

NN17 2UR

Employer's website

https://www.lakesidehealthcaregroup.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)