Bhsct Rheumatology Research Nurse Band 6 in Belfast

Advertised role location: MUSGRAVE PARK HOSPITAL
Official document: Band 6 Rheumatology Research Nurse Sept 2026 (docx)
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Rheumatology Research Nurse
LOCATION: MPH Rheumatology
BAND: 6
REPORTS TO: Rheumatology Assistant Service Manager – Lead Nurse
RESPONSIBLE TO: Rheumatology Service Manager
Job Summary / Main Purpose
The post holder will support Rheumatology clinical research, coordinating a portfolio of Rheumatology clinical trials. Working within the multi-professional team, the post holder will be responsible for screening, recruitment, care, management and follow-up of a caseload of patients taking part in clinical trials, adhering to local and national regulatory, research and professional guidelines and policies.
Main Duties I Responsibilities
Clinical research
For each of the following, the post holder will:
Contribute to the in-house protocol development stage on issues relating to patient and nursing activities, patient information, quality of life assessment and data collection.
Review and present clinical research nursing perspectives on new protocols, at Rheumatology clinical trials study review and adoption meetings in relation to issues such as design, practicality, ethics, feasibility and patient selection.
Attend multidisciplinary team meetings and/or appropriate clinics or meetings to discuss trial eligibility and identify potential trial patients.
Facilitate informed consent for clinical trials / therapies / procedures, according to guidelines and ethical and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
Co-ordinate a portfolio of clinical trials
Liaise closely with the Chief/Principal/Co-Investigators throughout the duration of each study.
Assist the Investigator in preparation of documentation for the research governance process and national Research Ethics Committee protocol approval, or site-specific assessment.
Liaise with clinical and department staff in preparation for study implementation.
In multicenter studies, liaise with the Clinical Research Associate (CRA) or Trial Co-coordinator as appropriate, and maintain on-going communication.
Attend investigator meetings, as appropriate and contribute to national and international trial education and discussion.
Develop schedules and checklists of protocol activities, screening, treatment, testing and data collection forms.
Develop protocol specific 'study packs' to facilitate recruitment.
Co-ordinate and participate in protocol initiation meetings.
Provide education to nursing/medical staff regarding new protocols and updates as required, including amendments and findings.
Collaborate effectively with research staff in other institutions (healthcare and university) in line with study protocols
Contribute to meetings with in-patient I out-patient staff to discuss research issues arising and incoming study activity.
Facilitate disease portfolio & trial review meetings with investigators.
Ensure adequate supplies of documents / equipment / laboratory supplies, for performance of the study.
Identify and track potential trial patients when appropriate.
Maintain screening logs and site records as required.
Confirm patient eligibility and assist in scheduling screening investigations.
Perform patient registration and randomisation procedures as appropriate.
Update research databases.
Ensure hospital records meet requirements for Case Report Form completion and liaise with data managers regarding further data processing, delivery and storage.
Ensure safe filing and storage of research related documentation.
Ensure safe storage of blood, tissue or other biological samples, required for the research.
Ensure maintenance of equipment required in research as appropriate.
Co-ordinate quality of life assessment, and other symptom assessment aspects of protocols as required.
Monitor patient recruitment, discuss recruitment problems / strategies with investigators and provide feedback, as appropriate, during the team meeting.
Collect / document treatment issues and notify appropriate internal and external bodies where serious adverse events or incidents arise.
Devise an appropriate appointment schedule for study participants
Facilitate and review protocol compliance at all stages of the trial.
Produce reports on patient profiles, trial recruitment and treatment issues as necessary.
Comply with, promote GCP, research governance standards for clinical trials, and maintain GCP training according to clinical trials legislation.
Facilitate CRAs during monitoring meetings as required.
Facilitate end-of study visits as required.
Assist in audit and quality assurance procedures and meetings.
Devise communication pathways, as required, for the effective co-ordination of the study, in liaison with study investigator.
Clinical Practice
Plays a key role in informed consent process including:
Provide the current approved patient information literature.
Explain study procedures, treatment and research terminology, in lay terms where possible.
Explain the risks and benefits associated with participation in the clinical trial, including the treatment, procedures, time and any inconveniences involved.
Involve the patient's family / carers as appropriate.
Explain the patients’ rights in a research setting.
Provide contact information to allow patients to ask questions and discuss options.
Assess patient understanding and capability to consent. Liaise with the investigator and, at all times, act as patient advocate.
Following written consent, assess patient's on-going wishes to continue participation in the study.
Act as an on-going primary contact and resource for the patient throughout the duration of the study intervention, and follow-up, as appropriate.
Provide easy access / contact for patients on clinical trials, by telephone, and promote regular communication.
Educate patients regarding treatments, possible side-effects, treatment compliance, and the process for reporting side-effects.
Assess the patient at each treatment visit and monitor side effects, determine appropriate steps to maximise patient safety and quality of life.
Monitor patient's well-being by telephone, as necessary.
Monitor patient test results and liaise with Investigator or clinical team, as necessary.
Assess patient care needs, referring and liaising with members of the multiprofessional team, as appropriate.
Participate in administering protocol treatments or tests, when appropriate.
Develop appropriate clinical, research, education, support and counselling skills as necessary, within the role, to meet patient and family needs, at all stages of the clinical research process and where the patient's condition I treatment I protocol / preference, or new evidence, indicates stopping study therapy is in the patient's best interest.
Ensure appropriate collection of blood / tissue / other biological samples from patients as per protocol, where these tests are not part of routine care.
Process blood / tissue / other biological samples as per protocol.
Prepare all samples for storage, shipping or posting.
Ensure safe maintenance of appropriate laboratory equipment, supplies and specimens.
Comply with hospital policies and COSHH guidelines, as appropriate.
Education, Practice and Professional Development
Contribute to the induction of new staff.
Act as mentor to less experienced staff, as required.
Act as a resource regarding a portfolio of protocols and provide education about the role of the Rheumatology Research Nurse and the clinical research process to hospital personnel and visitors to the Rheumatology department.
Provide formal and informal education sessions to nursing students and Staff on placement within the Rheumatology department
Identify educational needs and goals and identify opportunities to support these, in line with appropriate guidelines.
Expand specialist nursing knowledge in Rheumatology and clinical research.
Attend and contribute to research seminars, rounds, and staff meetings in the Service group or Trust level.
Attend national and international educational events, as appropriate, and provide evaluation and feedback to Rheumatology team.
Pursue nursing research evidence and identify relevant research questions related to patient and nursing issues, developing nursing research protocols, or practice guidelines as appropriate.
Perform or facilitate nursing research, as appropriate.
Develop conference posters and presentations, as appropriate.
Participate in annual Personal Contribution and Knowledge and Skills Framework review.
Develop reflective practice and maintain personal action plans.
Maintain training records and attendance at mandatory training sessions, as per hospital policy.
Management
Contribute to team/department meetings; facilitate teamwork, highlighting progress and/or problems and identify problem-solving approaches.
Organise work schedule and liaise with team regarding workload or any other issues.
Assist in the development of research policies / procedures / standard operating procedures.
Supervise more junior staff as necessary.
Assist meeting administration as appropriate.
Assess relevant stocks and notify when supplies, equipment or other resources are required.
Apply appropriate process in notification of incidents or faults.
Adhere to Trust policies and procedures.
General Responsibilities
Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
At all times, provide a caring service and treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
Demonstrate their commitment by regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.
Records Management
All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policy and procedure on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
Environmental Cleaning Strategy
The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.
Infection Prevention and Control
The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
This includes:-
Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately ie. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.
Values:
The Belfast Trust aims to recruit staff not only with the right skills but also with the right values to ensure the delivery of excellent patient care and experience. Staff will be expected to be committed to provide safe, effective, compassionate and person centred care by:-
Treating Everyone with Dignity and Respect
Displaying Openness and Trust
Being Accountable
Being Leading Edge
Maximising Learning and Development
By embedding the above values we will make a significant contribution to the delivery of the Trust’s Vision.
Personal Public Involvement
Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).
Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.
http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf
Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
Title of Post: Rheumatology Research Nurse
Band: Band 6
Reports To: Assistant Service Manager – Lead Nurse
Responsible To: Service Manager
ESSSENTIAL CRITERIA:
Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.
Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment
Experience / Qualifications/ Registration
Registered Nurse on Part 1 (Adult) of the live NMC Register
AND
Two years’ experience within a Rheumatology care setting.
Shortlisting by Application Form
SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:
Skills / Abilities
Must have a Full Driving License valid in the UK and have access to a car. The criteria will be waived in the case of an applicant whose disability prohibited driving but who is able to organise suitable alternative transport arrangements.
Provides evidence of past personal and professional development.
Knowledge of current changes in HPSS and awareness of the impact changes have on the acute, community and primary care environment.
Ability to manage change.
Leadership Skills.
High degree of interpersonal skills.
IT literacy
Interview
Knowledge
Have completed or willingness to complete Good Clinical Practice Certificate (GCP) within an agreed timeframe.
Shortlisting by Application Form
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted
Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment
Experience
Post-registration experience including direct experience in the coordination and delivery of clinical research trials within Rheumatology.
Shortlisting by Application Form
As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.
THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
All staff are required to comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy
HSC Values
Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role

#J-18808-Ljbffr