Research Nurse

Uhleicester; Leicester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is seeking a Research Nurse to support the safe delivery of clinical trials within the Leicester facility. The role involves screening, recruitment, data collection, and ensuring study procedures comply with ICH-GCP guidelines.

The post requires advanced nursing skills including venepuncture, cannulation, IV/oral drug administration, spirometry, and vital signs monitoring, with responsibility for high standards of patient care and trial governance.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
• Experience with clinical trials or research nursing is desirable.
• Proven ability to screen and recruit participants and collect study data.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior skilled nursing care to support safe running of research studies.
• Ensure approvals to proceed and oversee scope of trials.
• Conduct data collection and entry and manage adverse events reporting.

Skills

Venepuncture

Cannulation

IV drug administration

Spirometry

Vital signs

Basic Life Support

Education

NMC Registered Nurse

Job description

Go back University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Research Nurse

The closing date is 12 November 2026

The appointee's main responsibilities will include providing senior skilled nursing care to ensure the safe and efficient running of research studies within the designated facility. This includes ensuring the research has full approval to proceed; screening and recruiting participants, collecting data and data entry. The appointee will also identify barriers to recruitment and assist in finding solutions to overcome these.

The role requires the development and maintenance of clinical practice skills and competencies including venepuncture, cannulation, IV and oral drug administration, Spirometry, small airways testing, bronchial provocation testing, analysis of blood samples, vital signs measurements, Basic Life Support and other advanced skills as required for specific studies.

The post holder will provide the highest standards of patient care in line with research protocols and will ensure that such research safeguards the well-being of the patients and is conducted within ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines for research.

To work alongside Principle Investigators and the research team to assist in the delivery of a high quality research service of clinical expertise, professional advice, support, guidance and education to the multi-professional team, patients and carers within the research service.

Main duties of the job

Organisation of any necessary tests and investigations as detailed within the protocol.

Sample preparation (e.g. blood, urine, tissue and faecal samples): retrieval, centrifuging, pipetting, slide making and preparation for storage, liaising with the hospital and external laboratories when appropriate.

Undertaking high risk clinical duties (advanced therapies)

Maintaining logs of stored samples and freezer temperatures.

Maintaining adequate stock levels of sample kits.

Organising the logistical aspects of diagnostic specimens, packaging, and shipment, including handling of dry ice.

Organising and completing follow up assessments including toxicity, Quality of Life assessments and telephone assessments.

Resolving data queries raised by sponsoring organisations

Archiving all study related material including patient's notes after study closure.

Reporting and submitting of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) from this site within stipulated timeframes to sponsor organisations and the Research and Innovation Office.

Tracking Serious Unexpected Event reporting

Maintaining and updating study specific site files.

Notifying General Practitioners of their patient's involvement in a clinical trial.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Job responsibilities

1 Manages a personal caseload of clinical trials and patients independently with minimal supervision/mentoring from Principle Investigators/senior research nurses/team leaders.

2 Provide highly specialist nursing management for an individual client caseload delivering care in a variety of settings; outpatient clinics, on hospital wards and over the telephone.

3 Support the Lead Investigator in delivering the funded study protocol and supporting the service associated budget.

4 To ensure relevant approvals are in place prior to commencing each trial.

5 To ensure all work is undertaken in line with the research protocol, ICH-GCP and Research Governance guidelines.

6 To act as one of the primary points of contact for clinical trials patients.

1 To educate other staff as to the responsibilities of the role and function of the research nurse and disseminate information on specific studies.

2 Observe patients and monitor treatment/toxicity side effects; escalating findings accordingly.

3 To maintain Professional Accountability for nursing research practice at all times

4 Identifies, screens and recruits patients for the clinical trial using agreed protocols in accordance with ICH-GCP and Research Governance

5 Provides education and support for patients in research trials

6 Work with the lead clinician to evaluate clinical trial proposals, identifying potential patient populations and evaluating cost implications of the trial.

7 Participate in set-up/initiation/monitoring visits, site audits and study close-down meetings carried out by sponsoring organisations and regulatory authorities.

Provide on-going audit reports as required by the trial protocols and Research & Innovation department/ethics committee.

9 Responsible for resolving data queries raised by sponsoring organisations.

1 Demonstrates commitment to the role of patient advocate for patients considering or participating in clinical trials.

1 To provide mentorship and supervision for other research professionals and staff within and outside the department.

1 Act as a resource for ward based nurses wishing to undertake research once competencies have been achieved.

1 Responsible for assisting with the completion of study costing templates along with assisting with invoicing and the recovery of income for commercial research as per financial contract agreement.

1 Act as a role model for excellence in research.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

• Registered Nurse on appropriate part of the register with current NMC Registration
• Evidence of on-going professional development
• Experience in clinical specialty
• Willing to undertake any necessary training relevant to the post
• Evidence of specialist training or willingness to undertake additional specialist/academic training

Experience

• Minimum 12 months Clinical research experience
• Understanding of research design and methodology
• Knowledge of the clinical trial lifecycle, including experience of the set up and performance management of clinical research studies
• Knowledge of good clinical practice and GDPR

Communication and relationship skills

• Proven verbal communication skills with different staff groups
• Ability to work independently and as part of a specialist team

Analytical and Judgement skills

• Ability to problem solve
• Recognition of own limitations

Skills

• Ability to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate patient care
• Clinical skills including ECG and Venepuncture
• Trained in administration of intravenous therapies
• Experience in undertaking spirometry assessments including small airway testing
• Ability to provide clear clinical leadership
• Ability to evaluate patient eligibility for entry into clinical trials against defined protocols
• Ability to manage own clinical case load
• Ability to educate and support colleagues, patients and carers
• Knowledge of professional codes of conduct, protocols and standards
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritise work and to deliver results consistently to deadlines

Planning and organisation skills

• Highly motivated
• Flexible approach to working, including ability to work on-call, weekends or evenings where appropriate
• Assertive, confident and diplomatic
• Able to use initiative
• Professional manner

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high-quality care and interactions with others

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

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.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust