Paediatric Oncology Research Sister/Charge Nurse

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

NHS discounts

35 days annual leave (pro rata)

Generous pension

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Paediatric Oncology Research Sister/Charge Nurse to lead a dedicated research team on-site in Southampton. The post emphasizes clinical leadership, research governance and strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Applicants should be experienced in nursing with paediatric or oncology exposure, and committed to advancing patient-centred research.

Qualifications

• NMC registration and degree-level education are essential.
• Experience in paediatric oncology or clinical research is desirable.
• Mentorship or teaching experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver a portfolio of paediatric oncology research studies.
• Identify and recruit patients and relatives, obtaining consent where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate data, audits and participant safety across studies.
• Collaborate with MDTs, sponsors and networks to meet recruitment targets.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Research coordination

Education

NMC registered nurse (adult/paediatric)

Degree level education

Mentorship qualification

Job description

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Paediatric Oncology Research Sister/Charge Nurse

Contract Type: Permanent

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Paediatric Nurse, or an Adult Nurse with significant paediatric experience, to join our dedicated Paediatric Oncology Research Team.

Previous oncology and research experience would be desirable but is not essential, as full support and training will be provided.

This rewarding leadership role offers the opportunity to contribute to high-quality, patient-centred research that is helping to advance paediatric cancer treatments and improve outcomes for children, young people, and their families.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the future of paediatric cancer care while leading and supporting a dedicated research team committed to delivering excellent research and improving outcomes for patients and families.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

If you are an ambitious and forward-thinking registered nurse with excellent leadership skills, a commitment to research excellence, and a desire to make a real difference to patient care, we would love to hear from you.

Please note that this is an on-site role. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to arrange an informal visit to learn more about the role, the team, and the working environment before applying.

Join us and help shape the future of paediatric oncology care through research at UHS.

To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail, please read the full job description.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver a portfolio of clinical research studies within paediatric oncology, ensuring compliance with study protocols, GCP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Identify, screen, recruit and support patients and relatives participating in research studies, obtaining informed consent or consultee agreement where appropriate.
• Collect, document and maintain accurate research data and study records to ensure data quality, audit readiness and participant safety.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, sponsors and research networks to support successful study delivery and achievement of recruitment targets.

Experience / Skills Required

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
• Clinical experience within paediatric oncology and/or research.
• Clinical experience in administering chemotherapy.
• Experience of delivering or supporting clinical research studies, including knowledge of research governance and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with patients, relatives and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple studies, prioritise workload and work independently within a fast-paced environment.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness and ability to work flexibly to meet study requirements, including working early, late or weekend working where required.
• Ability to travel between Trust sites and external meetings as required.
• Successful candidates will be required to undergo the appropriate NHS employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to maintaining clinical and research competencies.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.

Person specification

Qualifications / Training Required

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Educated to Degree level, or equivalent.
• Evidence of on-going professional / academic development.
• Mentorship qualification (or evidence of meeting the outcomes of the NMC standards)
• Clinical Skills certification relevant to role and specialty
• Extensive post registration experience, including considerable senior band 5 experience in clinical research or a relevant clinical speciality
• Knowledge and experience within a relevant / acute healthcare / NHS setting
• Understanding of personal accountability
• Logical and consistent work and career pattern
• Recent management or leadership experience
• Interest in Clinical Research.
• Knowledge of the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Knowledge of International Conference on Harmonisation/Good Clinical Practice (ICH/GCP).
• Provide evidence of teaching and supporting learners in practice.

Desirable criteria

• Specialist qualification i.e. SACT trained
• Certification Leadership or management course
• Clinical Research experience.
• Experience as an NMC / HCPC sign-off mentor or clinical practice assessor.
• Experience of leading the delivery of a clinical research project.
• Experience of being a link nurse (e.g. infection prevention, Manual handling, fire warden, etc)
• Demonstrate ability to liaise / collaborate with MDT

Benefits

• We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service.
• UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts.
• UHS employees are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata).
• We offer a generous pension scheme.