Senior Research Nurse

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 6/7 Clinical Research Nurse/Senior Research Nurse (depending on experience) within the Clinical Trials Unit Urology Chelsea (CTUUC). The team specialises in prostate, bladder, and urothelial cancers. The post holder will be working with a highly regarded busy multidisciplinary team performing both clinical and research work who are seen as pioneers in managing urological cancer treatments. The post holder will manage their own caseload of patients on clinical trials with the support of the wider research and clinical team. As senior research nurse you will be expected to deputise in the absence of the Lead Research Nurse Uro-Oncology if required. It is essential to have previous clinical research experience with advantage of urological cancer experience as well. Preferably educated to degree level or equivalent, you will work within the guidelines and policies for the conduct of clinical trials, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with the principles of GCP. The successful applicant should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently. In addition, excellent communication, administrative and IT skills and being supportive and open to new initiatives are particularly valued by the team. The successful candidate will be required to work as a self-directed practitioner and have the skills to motivate others.

Main duties of the job

The experienced research nurse works as a self-directed practitioner, with a key role to play in the organisation and management of clinical trials within the Trust. These trials may be related to anti-cancer treatment (e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, gene therapy or surgery), symptom management or some other aspect of cancer care, such as screening. Central to the role are the recruitment, education and monitoring of patients entering a clinical trial. Working closely with the principal investigator and members of the multidisciplinary team, s/he will support patients who choose to participate in clinical trials by providing advice and information and acting as the patients' advocate. S/he will take responsibility for the co-ordination and management of a clinical research portfolio, collaborating with key personnel to ensure continued care and support for patients involved in clinical trials.

The post holder will support more junior research nurses, assisting them to develop their clinical research skills thorough education and training. Further responsibility will include monitoring and raising the standard of nursing input within the team.

The opportunity to undertake personal research projects or further study, in consultation with the lead medical investigator and Senior Nurse, Clinical Trials, is also encouraged.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits and learning and development opportunities. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Date posted

11 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,036 to £55,049 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-CR124561

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information please refer to the Job Description/Person Specification

Research (Clinical Research)

To assess and evaluate the progress of on-going clinical trials and research undertaken in the unit, maintaining an accurate account of the status of the projects and to regularly update the department on the status.

To assist with the organisation and implementation of clinical trials, and liaising closely with the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate a co-ordinated approach to patient care.

To ensure that proposed research projects for which the post-holder has responsibility are registered and reviewed by the Trusts R & D department and Research Ethics Committee (REC) prior to commencement and that updates and amendments are reported in a timely fashion.

To liaise with pharmaceutical sponsors regarding feasibility and implementation aspects of proposed clinical trials.

To liaise with the multidisciplinary team to promote and oversee the appropriate referral and recruitment of patients to research trials within the unit for which the post holder has a designated responsibility.

To ensure that all ICH GCP required documentation is kept in a clearly trackable system and is stored in an appropriate manner for the appropriate length of time.

To establish and maintain good channels of communication within the research team, with other departments within the Trust and with other relevant organisations including non-commercial bodies and pharmaceutical sponsors.

To safeguard the integrity of the trial by ensuring compliance with ICH GCP guidelines.

To be able to work unsupervised in all areas of practice related to clinical research trials.

To co-ordinate arrangements required for patients undergoing specialist investigations as part of the research protocol.

To assess the patient prior to trial treatment, monitor the patient receiving trial treatment and follow the patient up on completion of trial treatment as required by the protocol.

To collect and accurately record data in accordance with the requirements of the trial protocol.

To manage several concurrent research studies.

To disseminate research data by preparing and presenting posters or research papers for presentation at meetings, conferences and publication.

To participate in the design and preparation of research protocols, patient information sheets and other documentation associated with clinical trials, ensuring that these are reviewed and updated as required.

To contribute to the development of clinical and research policies and procedures and to monitor and review them.

Clinical Responsibility patient care

To provide advice and information to patients/volunteers with regard to their participation in clinical research in order to facilitate effective informed consent, ensuring the patient (or where appropriate the parent/ guardian or next of kin) fully understands the nature of the clinical trial, of voluntary entry to the clinical trial and freedom to withdraw at any time without prejudice to treatment.

To act as a support for patients and relatives throughout the trial, providing information as well as physical, spiritual and emotional support where necessary, and referring to other healthcare professionals where appropriate.

To assist the medical team in the assessment of patients/volunteers and monitoring their condition throughout their participation in the clinical trial.

To establish and maintain good working relationships with supporting clinical services.

To monitor treatment toxicity and/or side effects and to take appropriate action to reduce the effects of treatment as necessary.

To report and record any adverse events and serious adverse events that occur whilst the patient is being treated on a clinical trial.

To work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team and to contribute to the ongoing development of the clinical unit by acting as a role model for staff in areas related to clinical trials.

To ensure the safe administration of all treatments and drugs that are given within the context of a clinical trial.

To work within the NMC Code of Conduct and within your individual scope of professional conduct.

To inform the principal investigator of any changes that would affect patient care or have implications on resources.

To attend out-patients clinics, ward rounds and meetings as required in order to facilitate patient care and maintenance of trials.