Senior Cardiac Research Nurse

Job content

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated Senior Research Nurse to join the Cardiovascular Research team. The post holder will work predominantly within the Oxford Heart Centr and oversee a variety of clinical research studies, ranging from observational studies to large multi-centre randomised trials.

The post holder will provide effective clinical nursing leadership, management and supervision to the nurses within Cardiovascular Research Team. The team currently consists of the Lead Research Nurse (Band 8), 8 Research Nurses, 4 research support staff. The team work together to provide a quality service for the rolling program of cardiovascular research studies, trials and projects undertaken within the OUH. The role is funded by the NIHR Thames Valley and South Midlands Research Network.You will be expected to provide a structure for professional development to develop competent and knowledgeable practitioners in research.

The post holder will need a comprehensive understanding of the research governance process, have vast specialist research nurse experiance and cardiac nursing experience.

The post is a 12 month fixed term contract due to yearly funding but is expected to be extended beyond this.

Applicants should use their applications to show explicitly how they meet the essential and (where applicable) desirable criteria listed on the person specification.

Informal visits are highly recommended prior to application.

The main objective of the Senior Cardiac Research Nurse is to support the implementation and delivery of research studies in accordance with The International Conference on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (ICH-GCP) The post-holder will work with a cohort of Cardiovascular patients and with all Chief/ Principle Investigators, ensuring each study is efficiently run, meeting all clinical, ethical and financial targets.

Provide effective clinical nursing leadership, management and supervision to the Cardiovascular Research Nurses, currently consisting of 8 experienced Research Nurses. The post holder will be expected to provide a structure for professional development to develop competent and knowledgeable practitioners in research.

Work collaboratively with Principal Investigators (PIs) and their teams, as well as other required individuals / organizations – OUH Research and Development (R&D), R&D, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the University including the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility (CCRF), Local Clinical Research Network (LCRN) for NIHR Portfolio studies.

This list of responsibilities will develop over time and as knowledge and experience to the post is established. The proportion of time devoted to each task will vary from time to time, and according to the projects and departmental activity.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Management

Provide effective leadership and management to the Cardiovascular Research Nurses

Coordinate delivery of Cardiac research studies, ensuring that there is adequate research cover and resources on a daily basis

Be involved in recruitment and selection process for the clinical research nurse team

Arrange the induction, orientation and training of new staff.

Ensure that the Directorate Appraisal Policy is implemented and maintained, as well as Statutory and Mandatory training, and monitor the performance and conduct of the team. Address any areas of concern.

Provide annual leave/sickness cover.

Proactively recognise and respond to factors which impinge upon staff morale and standards of care, liaising with the Lead Cardiac Research Nurse and PIs as appropriate.

Represent the Cardiovascular Research Team at departmental and corporate meetings and trial specific activities as required and promote the role and importance of Clinical Research Nurses as an integral part of quality research delivery.

Work as part of the Heart Centre Senior Nurse group, attending and contributing to meetings/activities that help with the smooth running of the Cardiac directorate.

Communication

Maintain and facilitate communication links with other disciplines and departments, including the Research and Development department, external commercial and non-commercial sponsors.

To demonstrate excellent communication skills at all levels, verbal, written and in presentation form.

Access, input and interpret computer data entries whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.

Demonstrate autonomy, as well as the ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary healthcare team, in identifying and meeting the needs of patients, their families and members of the Cardiac research team.

Function in a collaborative way within the multidisciplinary team to provide expertise in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of clinical research protocols

Organise and implement clinical trials and be involved in the preparation of reports for publication

Maintain accurate and legible patient records and ensure trial case report forms are completed in accordance with GCP guidelines and within appropriate timelines

Assist in the dissemination of protocol information and research results

Educate multidisciplinary team about relevant clinical trials

Attend trial specific meetings as necessary. Participate in planning, organising and implement meetings/ conferences related to research.

Planning and Organisational Skills

Co-ordinate and conduct clinical research with local investigators, for investigator led, national, international and commercial studies

Review each trial protocol and identify resource implications for the Cardiac research department and the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Be involved in the co-ordination, preparation and submission of research proposals to the local research ethics committee and the Trust Research and Development Department, as appropriate

Co-ordinate and conduct allocated clinical trials utilising knowledge in clinical trial research methodology, pharmacology and critical appraisal

Be accountable for the documentation of trial data according to relevant regulatory guidelines (GCP) and ensuring sponsorship, REC/HRA approval, Trust approval and Indemnities are in place.

Identify barriers to recruitment to trials and ensure that the research teams are aware of them. Identify and implement action/plans as required.

Facilitate the informed consent process, ensuring that quality standards are met.

Co-ordinate and monitor the care of patients on clinical trials as follows:

• Participate in identifying potential patients for trials, attending meetings and clinics as appropriate
• Evaluate eligibility of potential patients
• Participate in informed consent, randomisation, treatment allocation as stipulated in the trial protocol,
• Provide general written and verbal information to patients and families on the concept of clinical trials and detailed information regarding the objectives, scientific rationale, treatment, investigations, side effects and follow-up for individual trials.
• Participate in decision making concerning treatment of patients on clinical trials in accordance with the trial protocol
• Provide direct patient care to patients participating in clinical trials
• Ensure detailed and accurate patient records are maintained by the whole research team.
• Maintenance of comprehensive and sophisticated databases
• Participate in the recording of information into Case Report Forms

Administer trial medications including novel agents, as appropriate, according to trial protocols in conjunction with the Research Trial Lead Consultants manage resources associated with clinical trial work within a budget

Implement and maintain databases of patient cohorts for particular disease groups.

Apply critical appraisal skills in evaluating research protocols and scientific papers.

Manage emergency / crisis situations with competence, supporting the patient, their relatives and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Participate in monitoring the research income and budget with the Lead Cardiac Research Nurse/manager in order to ensure provision of a quality and cost effective research service.

Have an awareness of various income streams. Ensure the clinical research team are aware of and work within financial and budgeting guidelines

Please see attachment for full job description.