Agile Research Team Nurse [CRN Y&H] (XR06)

Job responsibilities

OB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: CRN: Y&H - Agile Research Team Nurse / Practitioner

Reports to: Agile Research Team Nurse Hub Leader

Accountable to: Agile Research Team Senior Nurse (Band 7)

Band: Band 6

Unit/Department: Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire & Humber

AfC Job No: 3424

NETWORK SUMMARY

The National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) has been created

as part of the Department of Health and Social Cares R&D strategy, to provide a world-class

infrastructure for clinical trials and high-quality research in all areas of disease and clinical need

within the NHS. The Clinical Research Network Yorkshire and Humber (CRN: Y&H) is one of 15 Local

Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) in England encompassing and aims to support clinical and R&D

teams to recruit participants to NIHR portfolio studies.

The CRN Y&H includes 22 partner Trusts, 21 CCGs and multiple community, primary care, local

authority and non-NHS organisations. It provides a coordinated and efficient infrastructure of

research personnel to support patient and public recruitment into clinical research projects across

the region. The Clinical Research Network measures its effectiveness against a set of high-level

ambitions. In broad terms, these ambitions are to:

Create a research portfolio delivering across a range of health and social care providers focusing on regional population health priorities.

Improve recruitment to time and target for commercial and non-commercial studies.

Increase the CRN: Y&H profile with industry partners.

Maintain significant levels of participation in NIHR CRN portfolio studies.

Engage effectively with patients and the public in the development of the Network.

Engage with our partner organisation workforce in the delivery of network objectives.

Develop an agile workforce in order to deliver against our key strategic priorities.

The CRN: Y&H comprises five Delivery Divisions, and a number of cross cutting work-streams (e.g.

Industry Delivery, Study Support Services and Business Intelligence). The CRN: Y&H is led by a

Clinical Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO). The five

Delivery Divisions are led by Research Delivery Managers.

2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The post holder will play a key role as a member of the Agile Research Team to ensure the NIHR CRN Yorkshire & Humber provides clinical study support to various clinical specialities conducting research in NHS and other public health and social care environments.

Working closely with the Agile Research Team Nurse, Hub Leader, the post holder will take responsibility for the day to day supervision of staff , the training & development of agile staff across Yorkshire & Humber in specialist clinical or knowledge area, and the co-ordination and facilitation of concurrent research studies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Managerial:

Ensure that all activity is based on NHS and CRN policies and procedures.

Accept responsibility for the day to day management of various research studies, ensuring that the service to patients is maintained to a high standard.

Identify hazards, assess and categorise and report risks using the appropriate systems for

Risk Management.

Consult with the ART Hub Leader on key developments to ensure the efficient and effective management of CRN: Y&H resources.

Maintain efficient and effective communication with the Agile Research Team Hub Leader on issues related to staff conduct within research trials and impact on participant care.

Team Work:

Strong advocate for teamwork.

Contributes to a flexible and cohesive team to meet the needs of the Yorkshire & Humber wider region.

Able to facilitate effective Team Meetings.

Continual review and evaluation of team effectiveness.

Work with performance measures, in collaboration with the team to maintain standards of research and participant care.

Review team objectives and provide monthly feedback on team development to Agile Research Team Senior Nurses and Workforce Development Lead.

Maintain flexibility of staff between research teams.

Research Trial Set Up and Initiation:

To support the coordination, preparation and submission of research proposals for approval to coordinate with departmental managers, Trust research Governance officers, NRES administrators, HRA, CRN: Y&H Study Support Service Officers/Managers as applicable, to ensure that applications for approval are submitted in a timely and compliant manner.

To ensure that all relevant approvals are in place prior to commencing each trial.

Clinical Practice:

To have a solid understanding of the application of ICH GCP Guidelines, the EU Directive on Clinical Research and Research Governance.

To identify patients suitable for entry into clinical trials and research studies. This may include attending clinics and multidisciplinary team meetings, reviewing medical notes and inclusion/exclusion criteria.

To ensure patients / carers are provided with written information relevant to the research study and are given the opportunity to discuss the research study or clinical trial adequately at the outset and during the course of the research or clinical trial in which they are being asked to participate (i.e. informed consent).

To attend and support patients in the clinical environment for monitoring, assessment and follow up as part of research projects.

Where appropriate, to take consent from patients/participants to enter research studies.

To take relevant patient samples for clinical trials; such as blood samples to centrifuge and separate serum, package and dispatch as per defined protocols, where appropriate.

Observe patients and monitor treatment toxicity/side effects, escalating findings accordingly.

Administer trial medication, as required appropriate to professional status.

Maintain accurate patient trial documentation, complete Case Record Forms, including the use of electronic data capture systems and ensure relevant information is recorded in patients medical notes.

Ensure safety data is reported in line with required SOPs and study protocols, and report are sent in a timely manner.

To ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens, in accordance with the trial protocol and in conjunction with specialist teams.

To record and report any adverse events and serious adverse events according to trial protocol and local procedures.

Professional:

To manage allocated projects, set timescales and resolve problems. Responsibilities within a particular trial must be discussed, agreed and documented within the Study File before conducting any trial related activities.

To provide research support for individual trials being conducted within the network region. It is expected that this may involve working on more than one project at any time and in more than one clinical speciality as appropriate.

To ensure that training pertinent to the role is up to date e.g. GCP-ICH, Informed Consent as well as mandatory training as required by individual Trusts. Attend training to maintain clinical skills as appropriate.

To be flexible in approach to work as the role may require flexibility in terms of timing e.g. for specific treatments.

To work with minimal supervision and be self-directing in all areas of practice relating to the conduct of clinical trials and research studies.

To assist with the preparation and presentation of abstracts and papers for meetings, conferences and publications.

In accordance with professional codes, maintain own professional development and competence to practice whilst actively supporting others

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience at NHS AfC band 5 or equivalent either in research or nursing speciality.
• Experience in developing, implementing and following standard procedures.
• Experience of the clinical care of patients enrolled in research studies.
• Experience of undertaking or planning clinical trials.
• Demonstrable relevant CPD.
• Flexible approach to working and a desire to develop knowledge.
• Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research studies, including ICH Good Clinical Practice.
• Knowledge of current national systems and structures for the approval, management and monitoring of clinical research in the NHS.
• Knowledge of the clinical trial lifecycle including experience of the set up and performance management of clinical research studies.
• Current clinical skills.
• Good IT Skills, particularly in the use of Web applications and MS Office applications.

Desirable

• Experience of working on a portfolio of research studies within the NHS, both commercial and non-commercial research.
• Experience of HR issues.
• Professional knowledge of specialist clinical area.
• Cannulation and Phlebotomy.
• Experience in the use of Google Hub.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Be enthusiastic for the field of clinical research and a strong desire to improve patient outcomes and wellbeing through the conducting of high-quality research.
• Confident approach with the ability to instil confidence in others.
• Motivated and able to motivate and develop others.
• Logical approach to problem solving and ability to be objective.
• Highly responsive to requests for help.
• Invests time to understand the needs, priorities and goals of others they are working with.
• Mature, flexible and co-operative approach. Friendly, professional and outgoing manner. Respects confidentiality and confidences.
• Considerate of other peoples views.
• Honest, respectful and professional in all interactions.
• Listens to concerns or complaints.
• Helps others to resolve problems and address issues.
• Ensures decisions are communicated to others who need to know.
• Delivers on commitments and promises.
• Understands how their work is contributing to the wider Network strategy.
• Conveys confidence in others capabilities and promotes their success. Contributes to decisions about the future direction of the Network.

Practical Skills or Additional Requirements

Essential

• Ability to work independently and as part of a small specialist team.
• Ability to communicate difficult and sometimes challenging information both orally and in writing, both internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences.
• Ability to liaise with and develop links with colleagues in partner organisations.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and reports to a high standard.
• Strong problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritise work and to deliver results consistently to tight deadlines.
• Ability to plan, manage and deliver complex projects, involving multiple agencies and individuals and a range of tasks.
• Able to work on own initiative with limited supervision.
• Desk based, some heavy lifting (e.g. Stationery/research equipment) and travel across Trusts within the CRN: Y&H region.

Qualifications

Essential

• RN (Adult part 1) NMC Register or Health Care Professional HCPC registered or Professional knowledge of clinical research.
• Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent knowledge demonstrable experience.

Desirable

• Has undertaken, or is undertaking a course in management/ leadership.

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).