Research Nurse (XR06)

The post holder will contribute actively to the conduct, coordination, and delivery of the Raspatory Research Portfolio, under the leadership of the Senior Research Nurse/Midwife/AHP. Working effectively with the immediate and broader multidisciplinary team (MDT), they will be responsible for ensuring that high standards of clinical care planning, delivery, safety, and patient satisfaction are maintained, compliant with Trust policy, study protocol requirements, local and national guidance, and legislation.

The post holder will support the Senior Research Nurse/Midwife/AHP, Principal Investigators, and associated multidisciplinary colleagues in the planning, scheduling, conduct, recruitment, patient care, support, and data collection required for all studies within the department. They will be responsible for developing their own clinical practice, maintaining competencies related to the research portfolio, and where appropriate, taking delegated responsibility for the clinical elements of studies in line with Trust policies and study protocols.

Working effectively and proactively with agreed external agencies and collaborative partners, the individual will adhere to agreed study pathways and processes to derive accurate and robust data capture and ensure pharmacovigilance is maintained. The post holder will be involved in ensuring that research undertaken within the department safeguards the wellbeing of patients and is conducted within the confines of ICH Good Clinical Practice Guidelines for Research, EU directive, UK Governance Framework, and other relevant UK legislation pertaining to the conduct and delivery of research. The post holder will act as a role model, developing the research team and ensuring effective management of the department in the absence of the Senior Research Nurse/Midwife/AHP. During exceptional times of need, they will contribute to clinical service, as agreed with the Matron for the CSU and in line with the Trust's escalation policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

1. Qualifications: Registered Nurse (Level 1 or 2) (RN Adult for adult areas, RN Child for children’s areas), Midwife or HCPC registered AHP or Clinical Research Practitioner registered to the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS), Recognised post-registration qualification in specialty, Recognised teaching/assessing qualification (desirable).
2. Experience: Significant post-registration experience, experience of computer database and administration, working with a wide range of professionals including medical, nursing, and management colleagues, experience of dealing with highly complex situations, experience of providing and receiving highly complex information.
3. Skills: Ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, time management skills, IT skills, knowledge of clinical specialty and clinical research specific issues.
4. Personal Attributes: Professional and patient focused, flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team.

CORE BEHAVIOUR AND SKILLS

1. Highly developed communication skills
2. Time management skills
3. Organisational skills
4. Research awareness
5. Leadership skills
6. Team player
7. Ability to act professionally at all times
8. Understanding and acting upon change
9. Ability to use own initiative
10. Teaching skills

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

1. Understanding of the local and national nursing research agenda
2. Understanding of relevant National Service Frameworks
3. Awareness of Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and policies
4. Understanding of organisational structures
5. Understanding of the National and local research agenda

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Leadership

1. Support the Senior Research Nurse/Midwife/AHP in providing leadership to the research team.
2. Help provide clear leadership for the multidisciplinary team ensuring standards are maintained and patient safety assured.
3. Support and inspire staff to provide efficient, effective, safe, quality care to patients.
4. Deliver a positive patient experience.
5. Promote the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams.
6. Anticipate problems and take preventative or mitigating actions, or have contingency plans available.
7. Assist in the line management of the research team, including individual and team performance, attendance, management, and workforce planning.
8. Support the Senior Research Nurse/Midwife/AHP to investigate and respond to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents, and other significant events.
9. Support the delivery of an effective, safe, quality service within budgetary envelope.
10. Raise and respond to concerns regarding risk, danger, malpractice, or wrongdoing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes.
11. Deputise for Senior Research Nurse/Midwife/AHP in their absence.

Clinical Research

1. Assist the Senior Research Nurse/Midwife/AHP with the generation, upkeep, and distribution of clinical research protocols within the CSU.
2. Take delegated responsibility for the coordination and delivery of a portfolio of clinical research studies, ensuring that participants receive high standards of patient-focused care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines, policies, and the trial protocol throughout their participation.
3. Provide ongoing advice and information to patients/volunteers regarding their participation in clinical research to facilitate effective informed consent and maintain a supportive role throughout the trial.
4. Ensure high levels of understanding in relation to the clinical and delivery of the research studies that you support.
5. Assist in the assessment of patients/volunteers for eligibility for research and monitoring of their condition throughout their participation.
6. Coordinate trial investigations, treatments, and procedures according to trial protocols and professional body the person in post belongs to.
7. Help obtain ethical and local approval for projects.
8. Liaise with, and prepare submissions for the Trust Research & Innovation department (R&I) for new clinical trials and provide annual updates of trial activity.
9. Accurately collate data on relevant trial pro-formas within a pre-determined timeframe and respond to data queries.
10. Liaise with representatives from pharmaceutical commercial companies and prepare data for monitoring by these representatives.
11. Accurately and promptly report and document Serious Adverse Events, or Reactions, to the relevant clinician, Sponsor, and authorities within the required timelines.
12. Assist in the preparation of results of research for presentation as posters or scientific presentations.
13. Perform clinical tasks when required for research purposes (included venepuncture and central line access for Registered Nurse/Midwife).
14. Process, store, and dispatch blood, urine, and other biological samples according to trial protocols and Trust policies and guidelines.
15. Assist other members of the team in providing when necessary 24-hour support and advice for Phase I, II, III, and pharmacokinetic studies.
16. For registered Nurses/Midwives: Safely administer trial medications in adherence to Trust policies and research protocols.
17. Educate patients and their carers regarding trial medications, particularly when medications require home self-administration.

Clinical Service and Professional Responsibilities

1. Work as part of the multidisciplinary team and contribute to the ongoing development of the department.
2. Maintain strong relationships and positive communication channels with other key personnel and internal and external partner departments.
3. Take an active role in education and training of various groups regarding specific trial requirements and clinical research in general.
4. Take an active role in regional research networks.
5. Act in an advisory capacity for regional or national groups if required.
6. Fulfil the requirements as directed by the registration body the person in post belongs to (for example: Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health and Care Professions Council to maintain and revalidate registration).
7. Observe the confidentiality of patient information at all times, in accordance with the Data Protection Act and local information governance policy.
8. Be conversant with cardiac arrest, major incident, and fire procedures as they relate to your local clinical area and the wider Trust.
9. Be conversant with and adhere to all clinical protocols, local departmental and Trust protocols.
10. Undertake duties on other wards or departments as and when required by service demands or patient need.
11. Be actively involved in any Patient and Public Involvement initiatives.
12. Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times.
13. Be familiar with and adhere to the LTHT safeguarding policies.
14. Actively promote and use The Leeds Improvement Method to improve quality and safety of the service.
15. Maintain an active knowledge of the Trust's clinical and research IT systems.