Senior Clinical Research Nurse

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Senior Research Nurse post within the Lerner Lung & Mesothelioma Research Unit (Cross site). We are a highly regarded busy multidisciplinary team performing both clinical and research work. They will manage their own caseload of patients on clinical trials with the support of the wider research and clinical team. It is essential to have previous clinical research experience and/or Lung cancer experience. Preferably educated to degree level or equivalent, you will work within the guidelines and policies for the conduct of clinical trials, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with the principles of GCP.

The successful applicant should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently. In addition, excellent communication, administrative and IT skills and being supportive and open to new initiatives are particularly valued by the team.

Main duties of the job:

• The experienced research nurse works as a self-directed practitioner, with a key role to play in the organisation and management of clinical trials within the Trust.
• These trials may be related to anti-cancer treatment (e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, gene therapy or surgery), symptom management or some other aspect of cancer care, such as screening.
• Central to the role are the recruitment, education and monitoring of patients entering a clinical trial.
• Working closely with the principal investigator and members of the multidisciplinary team, you will support patients who choose to participate in clinical trials by providing advice and information and acting as the patients’ advocate.
• You will take responsibility for the co-ordination and management of a clinical research portfolio, collaborating with key personnel to ensure continued care and support for patients involved in clinical trials.

Working for our organisation:

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do. At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• To assess and evaluate the progress of ongoing clinical trials and research undertaken in the unit, maintaining an accurate account of the status of the projects and to regularly update the department on the status.
• To assist with the organisation and implementation of clinical trials, and liaising closely with the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate a coordinated approach to patient care.
• To ensure that proposed research projects for which the post-holder has responsibility are registered and reviewed by the Trust’s R & D department and Research Ethics Committee (REC) prior to commencement and that updates and amendments are reported in a timely fashion.
• To liaise with pharmaceutical sponsors regarding feasibility and implementation aspects of proposed clinical trials.
• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team to promote and oversee the appropriate referral and recruitment of patients to research trials within the unit for which the post holder has a designated responsibility.

Person specification:

• Post registration oncology qualification or equivalent relevant qualification
• Basic computer literacy
• Research methods education
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Competence in research orientated PC software (Access, Excel, SPSS)

Experience:

• Experience as a senior staff nurse or above working in a clinical research environment
• Experience as a senior staff nurse in oncology nursing
• Previous experience in clinical speciality of post applied for e.g. haematology, gynaecology
• Personal and Leadership Management experience
• Experience of coordinating HRA submissions

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment. Please ensure your information is accurate to avoid errors with processing your application. All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff:

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease. The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the utmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.