Senior Clinical Research Nurse

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Research and Innovation Division at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust for a Senior Clinical Research Nurse to join our Rare Tumours research delivery team. This is your chance to become part of a highly skilled and supportive team delivering a diverse portfolio of academic and commercial clinical trials for patients with neurological cancers, sarcoma and trials involving teenagers and young adults.

As a Senior Clinical Research Nurse, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating patient pathways across complex trials, ensuring the highest standards of care and compliance. We are seeking an experienced oncology professional with a proven background in clinical research nursing and managing trials involving anticancer investigational medicinal products.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional organisational, leadership, and time management skills, acting as a key point of contact for patients who are being considered for clinical trials and the wider multidisciplinary teams. If you are passionate about advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job This position involves leading and managing a group of research nurses with support from the Clinical Research Matron. Ensuring that research is conducted within the requirements of a multiregulated clinical research environment and safeguarding patient well-being are key responsibilities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, in line with The Christie values. The role requires strong motivation and the ability to work independently.

The sCRN will interact with a variety of research professionals across The Christie, including the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility, as well as across Manchester and wider networks. A proactive approach to self-development and the ability to demonstrate initiative and expertise in team development and wider training programmes are important. By utilising national frameworks for auditing patient experiences, the sCRN will ensure that patients in the Rare Tumours portfolio of studies have the best possible experience while participating in clinical research.

Additionally, the role involves raising the profile of the clinical research nurse and clinical trials within the trust by engaging in promotional events related to clinical research and contributing at local, national, and international meetings. The sCRN should demonstrate awareness and contribution to divisional, Trust, and national objectives and strategies.

An informal visit to discuss the post is highly recommended.

About us The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job responsibilities Clinical Research Co-ordination Work autonomously in all areas of practice relating to clinical research. Understand and deliver care in accordance with regulatory approved clinical research protocols. Oversee the process for obtaining NHS permissions (R&D approval) for clinical trials within team. As project lead, ensures permissions are in place prior to any patient recruitment. Undertake feasibility and risk assessments of clinical trial protocols in conjunction with Team Leader, Principal Investigator and Senior Clinical Trials Co-Ordinator Ensure all clinical trial activities are recorded in appropriate systems in a timely manner. Awareness of trial specific, regional, and national targets. Initiate new recruitment strategies for recruiting patients to clinical trials including engagement with the research network. In conjunction with Team Leader lead on the delegation of all trial related activities to research team members (clinical and administrative) and ensure compliance with SOPs and ICH/GCP. Work with team leader and sponsor companies in the preparation and negotiation offinancial contracts for individual trials. Arrange and facilitate clinical trial related meetings. In conjunction with Team Leader, oversee appropriate financial remunerations for clinicaltrial activity

Clinical Service and Professional Responsibilities Assimilation of highly complex information relating to clinical trials and communication to patients at a level appropriate to their understanding. Ensure highly sensitive information is communicated to patients, relatives, and careers regarding prognosis Responsible for the development, implementation, and review of specialist care pathwaysin conjunction with appropriate personnel. Demonstration of expert knowledge in specialist area to maintain clinical excellence. Set up processes/patient pathways in conjunction with appropriate personnel from specialist research areas to promote a cost-effective timely service for individual protocols (shared care pathways, specialist clinics, etc.). Support Team Leader in delivering divisional and trust strategic objectives includingperformance indicators and metrics. Escalation of governance issues impacting on delivery of job purpose. To act as a primary contact point for the clinical trial patients and act as adviser to other health care professionals. Responsibility for maintenance and development of professional knowledge and practiceby attending mandatory and specialist training (e.g., GCP) in accordance with local policy Ensuring care delivery standards in accordance with trial protocol, local policy, NMC Code of Practice Conduct and current best practice Development and maintenance of a high-quality service by: Overseeing the safe administration of all licensed and unlicensed medicinal products within the context of a clinical trial. Overseeing assessment and evaluation of treatment toxicities and initiation ofappropriate intervention. Contribute to development of specialist Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines Provide education and support for non-research staff in the delivery of protocol driventreatment for all patients. Participate in monitoring and audit activities within research team To carry out non-medical prescribing within scope of professional practice and in accordance with local policies and procedures and national legislation (optional and depending on clinical service needs).Personal Education, Training and Development Maintain professional development whilst evaluating own specialist knowledge and practice through a process of appraisal and personal development planning. Promote the role of the clinical research nurse as an integral part of the healthcare system. Increase and maintain awareness of current advances in cancer treatments, research and nursing practice thereby maintaining the highest standard of care for patients with cancer and implementing evidence-based care by continuing professional development. Participation in trust-wide education programs and study days. Obtain clinical supervision as appropriate. To keep up to date with departmental, Trust, UK and EU developments for the management of clinical research ensuring timely, effective implementation of changes. Attendance at team and divisional meetings.Staff Management and Development In conjunction with the team leader, provide the induction, continued supervision and management of the research teams. In conjunction with the team leader, be responsible for ensuring all members of the research nurse team undergo regular appraisal and support appropriate training and development opportunities in line with role requirements. Lead on the development of specialist study days within own research team Provide specialist education and training in relation to clinical trials to all key stakeholders. Disseminate information by attendance and /or presentations at local, national andinternational conferences/meetings Be responsible for the development of members of the research team.EU DIRECTIVE ICH/GCPAll personnel involved in clinical research have a responsibility to ensure that clinical trials are conducted in accordance with the EU Directive and ICH/GCP.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse -Currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
• First Degree or relevant experience GCP/ICH recognised recent training
• Post-graduate qualification in oncology and/or clinical research

Experience

• Relevant oncology nursing experience.
• Clinical research experience at Band 6 or other relevant experience related to specialism.
• Experience in coordinating clinical trials from initiation to closure including archiving.
• Proven evidence of service improvement.
• Experience of working autonomously and part of a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to organise and prioritise own workload.
• Experience of managing Clinical Research Teams. Experience of clinical audits both internal and external.
• Experience of writing standards operating procedures for clinical research and individual protocols.

Skills

• Highly effective communication skills. Effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries . click apply for full job details