Job overview
Join a small friendly department committed to developing and retaining its members of staff to maintain and further cultivate a high performing, cohesive team, the members of which enjoy coming to work and feel valued.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join us as a Neurology Research Nurse at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. We are seeking an enthusiastic, hardworking and energetic nurse who has experience in neurology nursing at either senior band 5 or band 6. You will be part of a dynamic team driving forward research across the trust; helping to promote and run research in the neurology department. You will be fully supported by the R&D team and the Principal Investigators.
The successful candidate should be well organised, be able to manage their time effectively and have the mental agility to successfully switch between trials, sometimes at short notice as the trials demand.
If you are interested in a secondment opportunity please speak to your Line Manager first and visit your Trust's Secondment Policy.
Main duties of the job
In the Research Nurse role you will work with the current Research Nurse and principal investigators with time split equally between an Multiple sclerosis study and other neurology studies. You will be responsible for assessing and managing the care pathways of patients and carers participating in research studies in accordance with Good Clinical Practice Principles. You will have responsibility for the delivery of direct and indirect care within your own caseload, working collaboratively with members of multi-disciplinary research teams whilst always complying with GCP.
You will need a good clinical knowledge with a desire to learn in order to work effectively. This knowledge will be key to ensure that the patients feel well cared for and supported during their research journey. The successful candidate will have a good grounding in neurology, including Multiple Sclerosis. A full range of clinical skills, including venepuncture, ECG recording, sample testing as well as basic vital signs recording and height and mass measurement will be required.
You will be well supported through your research work by both the Neurology and the Research and Development departments as the role involves using an in-depth knowledge of clinical trial protocols and their application in practice. You will need a working knowledge of the local, national and international research regulations to ensure effective running of studies to research governance standards.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To work autonomously to manage own caseload of research studies, maintaining effective communication with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals to ensure high quality service delivery.
2. To ensure that research study specific investigations are undertaken as required by the trial protocol in order to establish eligibility and safety to enter the trial.
3. To act as a resource and support to patients and carers, explaining practical aspects of research studies and working with clinical teams to map patient pathways as required.
4. To arrange collection of samples required as part of the research study and ensure safe and appropriate storage of specimens in conjunction with local support services staff.
5. To maintain adequate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented in the patient’s healthcare records.
6. To be responsible for accurate and timely completion of case report forms (CRFs).
7. To monitor participants for toxicity/side effects and ensure that changes to treatment are effected as required by the research study protocol.
8. Record and report any adverse events that occur whilst the patient is in the research study to the relevant personnel and through the Trust reporting system, acting as required.
9. Report and record all serious adverse events, within the required time period, that occur whilst the patient is in the research study to the local Principal Investigator, research study personnel as required and through the Trust reporting system.
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
10. To ensure that research study recruitment records are accurately maintained and data contemporaneously recorded in healthcare records.
11. To maintain study site files and documentation.
12. To liaise with Trust support services as required by the research protocol to ensure safe and smooth running of the study.
13. To access appropriate computer systems in order to retrieve relevant information.
14. To ensure that research studies are archived as required in compliance with GCP principles and trust policies.
15. To provide information as required for the raising of invoices related to research studies.
16. To provide support for research colleagues and attend meetings relevant to the post.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
17. To act as a resource for colleagues in relation to research studies.
18. To assist in the education of all relevant health care professionals to enable them to care for research study patients.
19. To keep all appropriate staff informed of the progress of research studies.
20. To keep up-to-date on research related topics in general and as appropriate to caseload and interest.
21. To assist in the preparation of posters for meetings and conferences both locally and at other events as required.
22. To assist with the education and training portfolio of the R&D Department delivering training sessions on research and research related topics as required.
RESEARCH AND AUDIT
23. To contribute to the management of the local portfolio of research studies and assist in the identification of research studies for introduction to research teams.
24. To maintain and expand understanding of research governance and the implication to research.
25. To identify patients eligible to enter research studies, registering and randomising patients into clinical trials as required completing pre-study tests where necessary.
26. To facilitate the informed consent process ensuring the following is accounted for:
ØThe patient (and significant others) fully understand the nature of the research study.
ØThe patient is aware that entry into the trial is voluntary and they can withdraw at any point without prejudice.
ØThe patient is aware of any extra procedures required by the trial.
ØThe consent form is completed accurately and filed as required.
·To be responsible for the forwarding of research study data in a timely manner including screening of potential patients for clinical trials and evaluating eligibility.
·To assist the clinical service and wider research team with the production of a research participant recruitment and retention strategy for each assigned research study.
·To accurately record data on trial pro-forma, co-ordinate monitoring visits from sponsoring companies and respond promptly to data queries.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
27. Work within the NMC Code of Conduct and scope of professional conduct.
28. Be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with re-validation requirements.
29. Conduct the research in accordance with the relevant guidelines e.g. GCP Guidelines, the study protocol and UK policy framework for health and social care research in order to protect the research participants and the quality of each study.
30. To safeguard interest of patients by liaison with relevant trial personnel and contribution to trial design and protocol and ensure compliance with research guidelines.
31. To observe the confidentiality of participant information at all times, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
32. Registered General Nurse
33. Valid GCP certification
Desirable criteria
34. Graduate Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
35. The relevant experience working in Neurology
Desirable criteria
36. Experience of caring for patients involved in clinical trials.
37. Experience in administering and monitoring trial medications.
38. Experience in setting up, recruiting to, closing down and archiving clinical trials
39. Experience of teaching, supervising and mentoring junior staff.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
40. A good knowledge of: 1)clinical trials process 2)neurology pathways 3)regulatory clinical research frameworks
41. Knowledge of the data protection Act (2018) and implications for confidentiality.
Desirable criteria
42. Sound knowledge of neurology treatment/therapy and practice in the standard setting.
43. Knowledge and use of the local portfolio management system - EDGE
Skills
Essential criteria
44. Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office applications
45. Capable of working with high degree of autonomy.
46. Excellent communication skills to all levels of staff and patients.
47. Capable of working effectively within different multidisciplinary teams.
48. Accurate, legible contemporaneous documentation skills including data collection and entry
49. Excellent time management
50. Proficiency in clinical observations
Desirable criteria
51. Knowledge and use of clinical computer applications e.g ICE iPM etc.
52. Venepuncture
53. Basic laboratory skills (Preparing samples e.g. Centrifuging and separating into aliquots, slide preparation.)
Other
Essential criteria
54. Excellent team player
55. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with all people relevant to their work.
56. Ability to be proactive in problem solving and take initiative with an awareness of own limitations.
57. Mental agility to competently switch between studies, sometimes at short notice.
58. Meticulous attention to detail
59. Ability to work to precise protocols and deadlines
60. Work under pressure
61. Ability to make decisions, prioritise, organise and manage.
62. Able to rapidly absorb and respond to complex information.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.