Job overview
Would you like to be part of finding treatments for the future at the ?
As a Band 6 Mental Health Research Nurse, working in the only Mental Health CRF in the UK, you would be part of our friendly, multidisciplinary team, offering our research participants exceptional care as they follow their study journey.
A variety of research studies are currently run at The Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) in Warneford: from National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and other grant funded studies through to commercial clinical trials. Studies include observational cohort studies through to CTIMPs, covering a wide variety of disease indications from healthy volunteers to those suffering from specific conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and dementia.
This role provides opportunities to develop, gain experience and knowledge in the field of mental health and neuroscience clinical research. Clinical experience as a registered nurse and some familiarity with mental health conditions is essential, but no research experience is necessary. We have lots of training available and an extensive induction programme is offered to ensure staff build confidence and skill within the role.
Please note if you are based outside of the UK you will need to be fully qualified, have already passed your OSCE and have an NMC pin number in order to be considered for this role
Main duties of the job
The CRF has supported the development of nursing technical skills in line with study requirements, for example recent study plans have required nursing support for undertaking skin biopsies, lumbar punctures, and the intravenous delivery of study medicines, as well as sub-cut and IM injections.
The Clinical Research Nurse will work as a study coordinator on the CRF, coordinating clinical trial delivery and supporting the research service within the CRF. The post will require you to be responsible for assessing and managing of care pathways for patients and carers participating in clinical trials. This will involve the education and monitoring of trial participants and the collection and documentation of accurate data, including blood and tissue samples. The role involves using an in-depth knowledge of trial protocols and their application in practice, alongside a working knowledge of and compliance with the local, national, and international research regulations. The ability to work confidently and autonomously is essential.
Our Band 6 nurses provide support and mentoring for a range of Band 5 Research Assistants, Nurse Associate Trainees, Nurse Cadets and student nurses on placements.
Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties
Working for our organisation
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
1. Excellent opportunities for career progression
2. Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
3. 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
4. NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
5. Competitive pension scheme
6. Lease car scheme
7. Cycle to work scheme
8. Employee Assistance Programme
9. Mental Health First Aiders
10. Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
11. Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The NIHR Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility (OH CRF) was established in 2011, to support intensive research studies that are not feasible to conduct within the routine clinical care setting primarily in areas of mental health and neurosciences.
The OH CRF has been awarded more than £4 million over the next five years by the NIHR. The OH CRF is one of 28 facilities across England to benefit from nearly £161 million that has been awarded to expand early phase clinical research delivery in NHS hospitals.
OH CRF nurses have opportunities for training with the NIHR, UKCRF network, University of Oxford and many other study specific opportunities. Nurses may be able to expand their research experience by undertaking research themselves through working with leaders in the field at the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry and with nurse academics at Oxford Brookes University.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities:
Clinical
12. Coordinate the care of your own case load of clinical trial patients.
13. Work regularly as a shift coordinator (Nurse in Charge), taking responsibility for the daily coordination of the CRF, providing oversight and guidance to the CRF team and managing any organisational issues that may arise.
14. Work with the CRF Team Lead in the provision of a comprehensive clinical trial service. Including taking on lead roles and responsibilities within the CRF, to ensure effective and efficient running of the unit.
15. Ensure the safe administration of treatments (IMP) given within the context of a clinical trial, ensuring that treatment is given in accordance with protocol and local policy. This includes the administration of controlled drugs and phase I IMPs. At times, this may include dispensing IMPs.
16. Undertake clinical assessments for research studies where appropriate, including the completion of mental health assessments, cognitive assessments, standardised interviews and physical health investigations such as side effect scales, ECGs, phlebotomy and vital signs.
17. Develop and maintain clinical skills required to support studies undertaken by the CRF; these include, but are not limited to, nursing support for lumbar puncture procedures, cannulation and IV drug administration.
18. Take an active role in supervision of Student Nurses and Nurse Associate Trainees and Band 5 Nurses.
19. Ensure that trial specific investigations are undertaken as required by the research protocol.
20. Provide ongoing information, education and support to patients (and their significant others) regarding clinical trials.
21. Maintain accurate documentation of patient/visit events in nursing, medical and trial notes.
22. Review and report adverse events in line with local Trust policies, standard operating procedures, and research specific protocols.
23. Ensure referral to other specialists is made when indicated (e.g. when tests reveal abnormalities, and specialist opinion needs to be sought) to provide optimal patient care.
24. Act appropriately to record and report serious adverse events, this includes communication with the Principal Investigator and relevant local personnel and regulatory authorities.
25. Provide ongoing follow up care whilst patient is in the clinical trial.
26. Act in a way that always maintains patients’ and carers’ dignity.
27. Act as a primary contact point for the clinical trial participant.
28. Provide regular nursing support to outpatient research clinics running at the Clinical Research Facility – currently, a Bipolar Research Clinic and a Treatment Resistant Depression Research Clinic. Clinical support includes physical health assessments such as vital signs, ECGs and phlebotomy.
29. Process biological samples (including centrifuging, pipetting and transporting of samples in accordance with IATA regulations).
Research
30. Assist with the setting up of clinical trials, coordination of trial assessments, identifying pathways for participants and pathways of recruitment in accordance with experience and competency levels. Studies may include large, multi-site clinical trials.
31. Keep the Principal Investigator (PI), CRF manager and the wider study team informed of the progress of clinical trials and of any issues arising.
32. Proactively promote research and the local portfolio of studies widely across the network.
33. Work according to ICH-GCP and Research Governance standards for all aspects of work practice.
34. Foster links with, e.g., community mental teams, voluntary organisations in order to facilitate recruitment to studies.
35. Identify patients who are eligible to enter clinical trials via discussions with clinicians; and with consent, via electronic records.
36. Contribute to the management of the local portfolio of clinical trials.
37. Ensure that the clinical trial protocols are adhered to.
38. Facilitate the informed consent process as per legislation and the Mental Capacity Act.
39. Register/randomise patients into trials.
40. Ensure that clinical trial recruitment records are accurately maintained.
41. Ensure that case report forms are accurately completed, in paper and electronic format.
42. Forward case report data onwards as necessary, adhering to protocol timelines.
43. Supply data as required to internal and external collaborators and management regarding the progress of clinical trials.
44. Contribute to recruitment strategies, identifying any barriers to recruitment to trials and work proactively as part of the study team to maximise recruitment. Support and assist in the development of action plans as required.
For more details, please refer to the attached JD & PS or get in touch with us.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
45. Registered MH or Adult Nurse
46. Evidence of postgraduate training
47. Evidence of experience in mental health
Desirable criteria
48. GCP training
49. IV and phlebotomy trained
50. Mentorship qualification
51. 1st class honors undergraduate degree
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
52. Evidence of excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills
53. Well developed computer skills including experience using databases
54. Good time management and organisational skills
55. Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Desirable criteria
56. Awareness of obligatory regulations and legal requirements of NHS research
Experience
Essential criteria
57. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience
58. Clinical experience of working with people with mental and/or physical health issues and their carers
59. Evidence of continuous professional development
60. Strong desire to learn and develop clinical skills and knowledge
61. Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment
62. Experience of handling confidential data.
Desirable criteria
63. Experience of clinical trials, or of research in a healthcare setting
64. Experience of completing electronic data entry.
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
65. Self motivated
66. Flexible proactive approach to team working and skill development
67. Proven ability to work confidently and autonomously
68. Able to recognise own limitations and ask for supervision/training as required
69. All new starters have a thorough induction process, both local and Trust wide, which aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
70. Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
71. We’re advocates of flexible working and many of our roles offer a range of employment options to help you balance your work and personal life.
72. Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
73. We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
74. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values – safe, caring and excellent.
75. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
76. Oxford is a world-renowned centre of excellence for research. Oxford Health works closely with the University of Oxford department of Psychiatry and the Department of Primary care, has a Biomedical Research Centre dedicated to improving mental health and the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at the Warneford site. The Trust also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) which carries out applied research that directly impacts patient health and wellbeing