Lead Research Nurse In Vivo Physiology Core

An exciting opportunity has arisen within The Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS) to join as a Lead Research Nurse who will be providing operational leadership and direction for the newly established Human In Vivo physiology core, which has two key aims:

• Develop and support human studies led by Clinical and Basic Scientists based in the ICS.
• Establish a national clinical research network to develop consensus protocols for human in vivo physiology techniques and provide the infrastructure to train the next generation of clinical researchers across the UK.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide operational leadership for the ICS Human In Vivo Physiology Core.
• Work with ICS research teams to ensure delivery of clinical studies, applying nursing skills to clinical research, upholding patient safety and maintaining professional standards at all times.
• Lead, mentor, manage and develop clinical research staff across the ICS, coordinating training, appraisals and staff development.
• Ensure governance and regulatory compliance is maintained at all times.

Job responsibilities:

• Bring strong clinical skills to the research environment, including phlebotomy and intravenous cannulation, be proficient in oral, intramuscular and intravenous drug administration, and proficient in the use of the centrifuge to process samples.
• Work with different ICS researchers to set up and deliver clinical studies in various fields, including Metabolism, Endocrinology, Hepatology, Cardiology, Immunology and Gastroenterology.
• Be involved in the patient pathway during their research involvement, including recruitment; inpatient stay; collection, processing and storage of samples in accordance with the Human Tissue Act; and data collection and curation in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation.
• Ensure that high standards of all documentation are maintained, with accurate, complete and up-to-date information regarding patient care kept in accordance with local standards.
• Prepare protocols, information sheets, and site file for principal investigator-led academic studies and obtain appropriate sampling as required.
• Management of relevant study databases and site files.
• Provide regular and ad-hoc information, both written and verbal, to all the study participants, which may include reports and updates.
• Provide expert subject matter advice and guidance as required to support the delivery of the studies.
• Support in the testing and evaluation of new equipment within the clinical area.
• Disseminate best practice research findings and quality improvement projects through appropriate fora (e.g. publications, attendance/presentation, peer review).
• Act as an advocate and point of contact for clinical research within the ICS.

Clinical responsibility patient care:

• Use nursing skills and knowledge to uphold patients safety in clinical research.
• Keep up to date with all relevant clinical skills and related policies, such as medication administration, infection control and sharps management.
• Willingness to undertake further training for clinical skills needed to deliver research and create training and development opportunities for clinical research nurses.
• Work with medical and research staff in dealing with patient care problems associated with research.
• Ensure working to the NMC code of conduct and up to date with nursing related practices, e.g. revalidation.

Professional Leadership & Management:

• Take operational leadership of the ICS human in vivo physiology core, providing highly visible and accessible professional leadership.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge and standards of clinical practice.
• Act as a clinical role model, demonstrating high standards of advanced clinical practice and providing support or advice to other staff when necessary.
• Contribute to the development of the Institute working practice documents, training staff on their implementation.
• Take responsibility for the supervision of junior research nurses, clinical fellows and allied health professionals within the Institute.
• Identify training and development needs of staff in line with Institute and Trust objectives.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff, and ensure all new staff receive core and departmental induction.
• Act as a coach and mentor to junior staff, ensuring that they optimise their clinical research skills and potential.
• Ensure junior staff are appraised annually, have clear objectives and a personal development plan.
• Observe and comply with policies and procedures for Health and Safety and ensure that they are correctly implemented.
• Ensure compliance with standard infection control precautions.
• Observe and continually promote equal opportunities in compliance with the ICS policies on Equality and Diversity.
• Work closely with Investigators, Fellows and Imperial Research Facilities to ensure that best practice is achieved at all times.
• Attend and when required chair multidisciplinary meetings as a representative of the Facility.
• Get involved with research engagement and patient and public involvement activities.

Clinical Governance:

• Ensure governance of human in vivo physiology core in collaboration with the ICS research governance team.
• Management of data and samples, ensuring HTA and GDPR compliance at all times.
• Have knowledge and understanding of UK systems in relation to regulatory bodies (e.g. REC, MHRA, HTA) and the NHS.
• Ensure best practice maintained at all times.

Education:

• Keep up to date with relevant statutory developments for the management of clinical research ensuring timely and effective implementation of any required changes.
• Keep up to date with research or clinical developments relevant to the research, and educate and update other staff working in the research team.
• Participate in Institute wide education programmes, study days, courses, meetings or conferences as identified in their Personal Development Plan and deemed appropriate for their professional development by their line manager.
• Participate in an annual appraisal process with their line manager.
• Contribute to the induction and orientation of new Research Nurses to the Institute.
• Take responsibility for developing and sustaining their own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in areas such as current advances in clinical research and nursing practice and to use this knowledge to maintain the highest standard of care within the Facility.
• The opportunity to undertake personal research projects or further study, in consultation with the Director, is also encouraged.

Person Specification:

• Professional Healthcare Registration with a UK Regulatory Body (NMC/ HCPC).
• Registered Nurse.
• Valid Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certificate.
• Post Graduate Degree in a relevant subject area.

Experience:

• Significant post registration experience at Band 7 or above.
• Experience in clinical research with a proven ability to recruit to research studies.
• Proven track record in clinical research, with a professional portfolio of publication and conference presentation.
• Qualified independent non-medical prescriber.
• Teaching and assessing qualification.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.