Oncology Cancer Research Nurse

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people. We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries. We welcome and encourage applications from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining a healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as part-time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.

Job Overview

The Research Nurse is a facilitator and collaborator within a team working on Commercial and NIHR portfolio studies within the Cancer Cluster. The post holder holds responsibility for the co-ordination in the recruitment, care and monitoring of research subjects at the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The recruitment, care and monitoring of research subjects is carried out in accordance with research governance and regulations. The post holder will work closely with the clinical lead in the completion of comprehensive documentation required by the Ethics Committees – local and national, for ethical review and approval of the research study. The post holder adheres to Departmental, Trust and National Institute for Health Research policies, established health professional procedures and practices.

Main Duties of the Job

• The Research Nurse plans and supports programmes for screening, recruitment, monitoring and retention of research subjects in accordance with protocol and International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Good Clinical Practice standards covering a 24-hour, 7 day service.
• The Research Nurse is responsible for the planning and implementation of protocols in accordance with research parameters as set out by the Chief and Principal Investigators.
• The Research Nurse establishes appropriate data collection systems for patient data and monitoring data, in accordance with the research protocol. This includes the creation and maintenance of databases for study progression.
• The Research Nurse maintains complete source documentation and Site Investigators File for Chief and Principal Investigators and Regulatory Bodies.
• The Research Nurse maintains liaison on a regular basis with the Chief Investigator for the duration of the study. In addition, they may be required to attend ongoing presentations and lectures to maintain knowledge base of developments within the field of the Study.
• The Research Nurse collaborates with Investigators, Regulatory Bodies and Ancillary departments.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

• To have specialist knowledge of clinical research, underpinned by degree level education and/or experience and ICH Good Clinical Practice Qualifications.
• To work within professional Guidelines relating to Code of Conduct, Confidentiality, Accountability and Scope of Professional Practice.
• To provide a high standard of evidence-based care to patients whilst attending patients in the community and within the hospital.
• To work as an autonomous practitioner having a flexible approach to workload schedules.
• To facilitate effective communication: written, verbal and electronic.
• To act as the patient’s advocate.
• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team as appropriate in the delivery of support and care to the patients.
• To co-ordinate the planning, implementation and development of protocols in accordance with research parameters as set out by the Chief and Principal Investigators.
• To have strong interpersonal communication skills, having the ability to communicate with empathy in potentially sensitive, controversial situations with patients who have given written consent to participate in the trial to become research subjects.
• Actively seeks to promote health by providing evidence-based information in a sensitive, empathetic manner.
• To have a personal duty of care in relation to the care and working knowledge of the equipment required for the research study.
• To maintain accurate records in line with professional guidelines and local policy using paper-based and electronic systems.
• Ensure that monitoring and investigations required for the study are carried out within the time schedules documented and be able to work to tight deadlines with restricted time constraints. This may involve taking blood samples, swabs, giving injections and other clinical procedures.
• Be able to propose and implement changes within own area of practice and represent the research team or service.
• To interpret medical records in order to judge whether a patient is suitable for a particular study.
• To provide evidence of recent interest/experience in research and Continuing Practice Development.
• Attend regular Research and Development departmental meetings and National Institute of Health Research meetings as required.
• To participate fully in Divisional, Directorate and Speciality meetings, teaching programmes etc.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• Have attended GCP (Good Clinical Practice Training) within the last 18 months.
• Post graduate qualification in research/clinical practice/management.

Experience and Knowledge

• At least 2 years experience working in relevant clinical service/research area at Band 5 level or above.
• Experience of facilitating clinical research studies in an acute setting.

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical skills to include venepuncture, cannulation, IV drug administration, ECG recording, ILS.
• Written and oral communications skills, including the preparation of formal reports and making presentations.
• Able to teach and facilitate small and large groups.
• Demonstrates a collaborative working style.
• Confident and competent working with IT. Good working knowledge of MS Office.
• Able to develop, and implement work programmes.

Personal Circumstances

• Car driver for community visits and working on studies across hospital sites if required.
• Ability to work flexible shift patterns 24/7.
• Ability to travel and stay overnight at conferences/training.

If the role you have applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this as part of your pre-employment checks. Please note, you will be required to repay the cost on appointment. This will be collected via a salary deduction. You can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months from your salary or as a one-off payment on commencement in post. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £25.50, Standard DBS check £25.50 and Enhanced DBS check £53.50. You are encouraged where possible, to register for the DBS update service. This is an annual registration fee of £16. By registering for the update service you will not have the additional cost of repeated disclosures. Should you withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions.