About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and motivatedResearch Nurse to join the Haematology ResearchTeam within the Oncology and Haematology Clinical Trials Department.
The successful candidate will work as part of the Haematology Research Team, supported by the Team Lead and senior research staff. You will be involved in identifying patients suitable for entry into clinical trials by attending clinics, screening medical notes, reviewing consultant referrals, and participating in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings. You will contribute to the informed consent process, acting as a point of support for patients and their families, and assist in coordinating the research patient pathway from screening through to trial completion.
Applicants must be a registered adult nurse with evidence of continuing professional development. You should have experience of clinical research in haematology/oncology within the NHS or a strong haematology - oncology clinical background with an interest in developing research skills. You should have experience in administering SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) and be SACT certified. You will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to organise and prioritise your workload, and the confidence to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team while managing a patient caseload across several Haematology research studies.
Main duties of the job
Work autonomously to manage a caseload of complex haematology trial patients, providing duty of care and ongoing support to patients and their families throughout participation. Administer SACT (Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy) to haematology trial patients and monitor for side effects as per protocol.
Work in accordance with the Research Governance Framework, EU Clinical Trials Regulations and ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ensuring protocol compliance at all times.
Identify eligible patients by attending various Malignant Haematology clinics, screening medical notes, reviewing consultant referrals, and participating in MDT meetings.
Support the informed consent process by providing clear information and ensuring consent is obtained and documented appropriately.
Coordinate the research patient pathway from screening through to trial closure, liaising with the trial set-up team and using trial-specific prompts where required.
Maintain infection prevention and control standards, including minimising cross-infection risk and ensuring safe disposal of body fluids and blood products.
Administration of investigational medicinal products (IMPs) and monitor, document and report adverse events/side effects as per protocol.
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical and research records in medical/nursing notes and trial documentation.
About us
OHCT sits within the Haematology Directorate, the team run and manage over 200 trials at any one time and cover all solid tumours and haematological malignancy and non-malignant diseases.
We have a dedicated team running the early phase studies and part of ECMC which is based in the clinical research facility.
Job description Job responsibilities
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES Work autonomously within professional practice guidelines to manage a caseload of Haematology trial patients, ensuring a duty of care and providing support to patients and their families. Work in accordance with the Research Governance Framework, EU clinical trial requirements and ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ensuring trial protocols are adhered to at all times. Identify patients suitable for entry into Phase 1 - 3 clinical trials by attending Haematology clinics, screening medical notes, reviewing consultant referrals, and participating in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings. Participate in the informed consent process acting as a resource and support to patients and their families ensuring consent is appropriately obtained and documented. Co-ordinate the research patient pathway from screening through to trial closure, supporting trial set-up activities (e.g. documents collection, trials prompts, patient pathway) in collaboration with the set-up team where required. Administer SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) safely to trial patients and monitor for side effects. Ensures that adequate precautions are taken to minimise the risk of cross-infection in relation to the safe disposal of body fluids including blood products in line with Trust policy. Support delivery of trial treatments in collaboration with local nursing teams (including investigational medicinal products and systemic anti-cancer therapies), and monitor, document and report adverse events/side effects in accordance with the protocol. Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented in the patients medical and nursing notes. Complete trial documentation accurately, including Case Report Forms (CRFs), and support the collection, coordination and computerisation of data generated from clinical trials. Keep up to date with current practices for cannulation, phlebotomy, care of patients with Central Venous Access lines and handling and administration for cytotoxic chemotherapy. Act as a role model for excellence in haematology-based research.
Portfolio Management and Development
Assist with review of trial protocols and highlight practical, risk and resource implications to the Team Lead and relevant colleagues. Liaise with Clinical Trial Set-Up staff to support site set-up activities and contribute to feasibility discussions by highlighting patient pathway issues and potential mitigations to maintain patient safety. Support submissions and ongoing study administration as required (e.g. R&D documentation where applicable), and process amendments, ensuring information is disseminated to relevant departments. Work closely with the medical team and sponsor contacts to support coordination of on-study treatment and follow-up in line with protocol schedules. Contribute to accrual/activity reporting and provide information to support invoice generation where appropriate. Build effective working relationships across departments to support smooth trial delivery and a positive working environment. Provide education/updates to relevant clinical teams about the local portfolio and study requirements where appropriate. Participate in sharing research outputs (e.g. presentations of research activity/findings within the Trust and relevant networks) in line with service needs. Manage clinical incidents appropriately and promptly escalate/report incidents to the Research Team Leader in line with Trust processes. Maintain dialogue with the Research Team Leader regarding progress, workload and issues, attend team handover meetings, and provide cross-cover for colleagues during annual leave, study leave and sickness as required.To report to the Research Team Leader any clinical incidences Maintain a dialogue of progress with the Research Team Leader Attend weekly team handover meetings Provide cover when necessary for annual leave, study leave, sick leave.
Professional Development and Leadership
Attend the training programmes and other relevant education and training days as agreed in your development plan. Attend investigator meetings and conferences when required. Take responsibility for maintaining professional registration and ongoing development in research practice and clinical care. Represent the research team at local and national forums Contribute to service development and quality improvement within the Haematology Research Team/OHCT service. Mentor and provide day-to-day support and guidance to less experienced colleagues/students as appropriate to their role and competence (without formal line management responsibility). Participate in clinical supervision in accordance with the NMC guidelines. Work in line with Trust policies including confidentiality/information governance, infection control, risk management and health & safety requirements
Person Specification
Skills Essential
You have evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work across boundaries, integrating with multidisciplinary staff in relation to research trials. Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a small team, as well as part of the wider multidisciplinary team in relation to clinical trials Word processing, report writing and presentation skills. You will possess basic laboratory skills such as pipetting and centrifugation
Desirable
Knowledge of Trial Databases Immediate Life Support (ILS) accreditation
Experience Essential
Experience in SACT administration and management. Experience in Haematology-Oncology Research or in Haematology-Oncology setting. Experience in working across boundaries, integrating with multidisciplinary staff in relation to research trials. Awareness of changing trends within health & cancer care. Experience of mentoring and developing new or junior colleagues.
Desirable
Understanding of research methodologies including phase I - III clinical trials
Knowledge/Qualifications Essential
NMC Level One Registration - RN Adult ICH GCP & EU Clinical Trial Directive certified. Post-registration teaching qualification (e.g. 998 or mentorship course) Evidence of continuous personal, professional and academic development
Desirable
Relevant post registration 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address Guy's Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London
SE1 9RT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)