Clinical Research Nurse

The post holder will play a central role across all stages of the haematology research portfolio, including feasibility assessment of new clinical trial opportunities, trial set-up and activation, patient recruitment and ongoing management, data query resolution and review of protocol amendments. You will provide a patient-centred perspective, supporting participants and the wider research team throughout the clinical trial pathway.

Working closely with the multidisciplinary team and wider services, you will ensure that patient safety and wellbeing remain central to trial delivery. You will work within applicable regulatory and governance frameworks, including ICH-GCP and Trust SOPs, and contribute to monitoring and evaluating patient experience to support consistently high standards of research care.

The role will also contribute to raising the profile of clinical research and clinical trials within the Trust and externally, including participation in research engagement and promotional activities and supporting relevant divisional, Trust and national research objectives.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong organisational and prioritisation abilities, and a high level of motivation. You will be able to work autonomously within your scope of practice while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality, innovative haematology research.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

Desirable: - Experience of working in a clinical research environment

Skills

Desirable: - Intra-venous access and cannulation skills administration of IV chemotherapy; - Good presentation skills

Knowledge

Desirable: - Knowledge of Research Ethics Committees; - Knowledge of the purpose of clinical research

VALUES

Essential: - Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

OTHER

Essential: - Maintain professional development and have an awareness of current nursing issues; - Demonstrates flexibility in working hours

Desirable: - Assertiveness