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, coordination, and facilitation for a defined group of concurrent research studies, from setup 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 specialized 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.
Key Responsibilities
1. Act as a designated research study lead nurse for a cohort of studies.
2. Liaise with the Principal Investigators (PIs) regarding allocated research projects, using professional judgment to assess workload and capacity.
3. Manage, coordinate, implement and undertake delegated research studies, including managing all timelines such as first patient into study and time to target recruitment.
4. In collaboration with colleagues, develop and implement study plans for studies.
5. 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.
6. Actively participate in recruiting patients for research studies, liaising with other healthcare professionals, attend clinicals to achieve this.
7. As part of the Research Team recruit patients eligible for research projects; providing information and support to patients involved in research projects.
8. To provide expert care to patients and healthy volunteers participating in research.
9. Act as a role model and clinical expert in research within LHG and its services to ensure high standards of care and safety for research participants.
10. To provide highly specialized research advice to healthcare staff concerning the research process and studies.
11. Act as an ambassador for research, actively promote the value of research to clinicians, patients, service users, and the wider NHS.
Study Management
1. Manage, coordinate, organize, and implement own caseload of research studies, working with PIs to ensure adherence to study protocol.
2. Develop effective working partnerships with CRN, PIs, and other research staff, ensuring the flow of all necessary documentation and information.
3. Arrange clinic appointments, and coordinate investigations and procedures necessary for complex research.
4. Using appropriate manual and computerized 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.
5. Ensure safe use of all equipment, some of which is expensive/complex.
6. Report adverse events to senior nursing ensuring completion of appropriate documentation.
7. Inform the research team of any untoward incidents or problem areas affecting participants or staff.
8. When appropriate, assist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
9. Compile information for and accurately complete study reports for delegated studies.
Professional Practice
1. Provide a high standard of nursing care within a multi-professional research team.
2. Work within Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to policies and procedures.
3. Ensure participant treatment is in accordance with clinical research protocol.
4. Act as patient advocate ensuring their rights are protected at all times.
5. Continually evaluate the quality of care given, regularly assessing the needs of the participant and effecting change required to ensure their safety.
6. Liaise where necessary with Study Monitors to assist with internal and external Quality Assurance and Audit.
7. Participate in internal and external working groups to develop and share evidence-based/best practice, locally, nationally, and internationally.
8. Undertake flexible working e.g., Outreach research studies, working independently in other clinical areas, or for home visits.
Communication
1. 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 organizations, the public, regional, and national organizations where these will be of all levels of seniority.
2. Facilitate effective communication of complex study information with all relevant research personnel, including: medical, nursing, administrative, and pharmacy staff at an appropriate level of understanding of the range of audiences specified.
3. To present research protocols to LHG staff to encourage participation.
4. To attend and contribute to project management group meetings for research, traveling around the country and region as required.
5. To keep and maintain accurate study specific records to meet audit requirements.
Key Working Relationships
1. Clinical, Nursing staff
2. Chief and Principal Investigators
3. Researchers and research staff
4. CRN Network colleagues
5. R&D departments in other NHS Trusts
6. Clinical Trial Support Units
7. Academic units attached to projects
8. Research ethics committees
9. Study coordinators/managers
10. NIHR CRN Coordinating Centre staff members
11. Commercial companies involved in research
Personal Development / Training
1. Meet NMC post-registration education and practice requirements for re-registration and continued professional development.
2. To undertake and keep up-to-date with LHG and research mandatory training within the specified timeframe as specified by LHG.
3. Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the research area and support and encourage other staff in developing expertise and skills in this area.
4. Extend professional practice in skills as required by research studies.
5. Maintain level of clinical skills necessary to perform highly specialized procedures as required in research protocols, e.g., venepuncture, ECG.
6. Recognize and use spontaneous and formal learning opportunities and share knowledge and experience with other staff.
7. Where appropriate, provide clinical supervision to junior staff, students, and Allied Health Professionals.
8. To contribute to the Development Review process and work towards agreed personal objectives.
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 has 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.
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