Research Nurse

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Liverpool is seeking a Research Nurse to support early phase clinical trials. This is a band 5 position with potential to progress to band 6. Candidates must be registered nurses with experience in clinical research. The role includes supporting patient assessments, treatment procedures, and ensuring compliance with clinical trial protocols, including shifts and on-call duties. Competitive benefits and opportunities for professional development are included.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Work in a leading healthcare environment

Qualifications

• Post registration experience and completion of band 5 foundation gateway competencies is essential.
• Previous experience in clinical research studies and research projects is desirable.
• Understanding of ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical trials.

Responsibilities

• Support early phase clinical trials and work closely with the operational team.
• Assist with planning, conduct, and reporting of all clinical trials under supervision.
• Maintain a high standard of patient care in line with Trust policies.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Ability to prioritise work

Meticulous attention to detail

Education

Registered Nurse with current NMC registration

Diploma in Nursing 1st Level or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job summary

The Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Clinical Research Facility (CRF) is a Phase 1 accredited unit, the first NHS trust in England and Wales to achieve this standard.

The facility undertakes and delivers clinical trials in patients and healthy volunteers with a particular emphasis on early phase research.

Patients and volunteers are seen in comfortable surroundings ultimately improving the experience for participants in Clinical Trials.

This is a band 5 Research Nurse post with the potential progression to a band 6, in accordance to Annex 20 Agenda for change.

The post holder must meet the band 6 competencies in order to move onto the Band 6 Job description.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will provide support with early phase clinical trials and work closely with the operational team.
• They will assist with all aspects of the planning, conduct and reporting of all clinical trials under supervision.
• The post holder will assist the clinicians in the assessment of patients/volunteers for eligibility for research and monitoring of their condition throughout their participation.
• To undertake participant study visits, screening clinics and clinical trial procedures including coordinating special tests in other departments.
• To carry out the collection, processing of samples according to protocol requirements.
• To carry out treatment procedures and treatment interventions, including venepuncture, cannulation, ECGs, and vital sign recording.
• To keep accurate records and prepare for audits and inspections.
• To have an understanding of clinical research including ethics and drug development.
• The post holder will ensure that all clinical research activity is ICH GCP compliant and conducted in accordance with the agreed protocols.
• The post will maintain a high standard of patient care in line with Trust and R&D policies and protocols and in accordance with the Research Governance Framework.
• The post does include shifts patterns including night shifts and weekends. The post holder will provide on call nursing cover outside of normal working hours for the CRF on occasion and by arrangement to assist and provide support to the CRF Physician on call.

About us

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.

Responsibilities

• To assist with all aspects of the planning, conduct and reporting of all clinical trials within the research speciality under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (Band 6 and above).
• To assist with the day to day management of research studies with supervision as part of a research team.
• To assist with recruitment targets under supervision of the Research Team.
• To ensure that all data is collected and managed accurately.
• To ensure that all clinical research activity is ICH GCP compliant and conducted in accordance with the agreed protocols.
• To maintain a high standard of patient care in line with Trust and R&D policies and protocols and in accordance with the Research Governance Framework.
• To assist the clinicians in the assessment of patients/volunteers for eligibility for research and monitoring of their condition throughout their participation.
• To provide on-going advice and information to patients/volunteers with regard to their participation in clinical research in order to facilitate effective informed consent.
• To assist with patient visits in accordance with study protocols, including coordinating special tests in other departments, collection of data, coding, data entry and patient support.
• To carry out treatment procedures and treatment interventions according to pre-determined protocols, including venepuncture, venous cannulation, administering of intra-venous drugs and vital sign recording.
• To carry out the collection, processing and shipping of biological specimens according to protocol requirements and follow up appropriately on alert values.
• To ensure that patient safety is paramount in all procedures that take place for trial purposes.
• To be responsible for the setting up of workbooks or other forms of capturing source data.
• To be responsible for hosting Monitoring visits including ensuring that source data and Study Master Files are up to date and complete prior to each monitoring visit.
• To assist the clinicians to report and record any adverse events as dictated by Trust and Departmental protocols.
• To ensure clinical and research documentation and record keeping is completed in a timely manner, accurately and efficiently in accordance with NMC and EU Directive (ICH GCP) Guidelines.
• To have computer skills for the handling and management of computerised data.
• To be aware of relevant medical literature, developments in clinical research methodology, monitoring and local regulatory and ethical requirements.
• To attend courses, research network meetings, conferences and study days in order to remain up to date with all relevant aspects of clinical research.
• To have an understanding to the relevance of research to health care delivery and to be aware of research problems with the speciality.
• To participate in the education and development of student nurses.
• It is anticipated that the individual post-holder will meet the following requirements of the post: an interest in the research speciality is desirable, possess computer skills, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, effective time management skills, competent in the skills of venepuncture and IV cannulation.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Registered Nurse, with current NMC registration.
• Diploma in Nursing 1st Level required or equivalent experience.

Experience (Essential)

• Ability to use a personal computer, computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office.
• Post registration experience and successful completion of band 5 foundation gateway competencies.

Desirable

• Study days on research.
• Skills in handling and management of computerised data (abstraction and coding of medical data, computer data entry, statistical analysis, report generation and data validation).
• Previous experience in clinical research studies, research projects (protocols and study documentation).
• Experience of liaison with staff at all levels in the NHS, Universities and Industry.
• An understanding of Research protocols and skills in administration of research and project management, skills in the analysis and interpretation of data.
• An understanding of ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical trials, including EU Directive on ICH GCP requirements.
• An awareness of the Health Service, R&D, the pharmaceutical industry partnership and relevant information sciences.

Knowledge (Essential)

• An understanding of the role & responsibilities of a Clinical Research Nurse.
• An awareness of the principles and practice of clinical research and/or clinical trials.

Skills (Essential)

• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise work on own initiative.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy, e.g. in the capture and validation of clinical trial data.

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 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: Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Royal Liverpool Hospital, Mount Vernon Street, Liverpool, L78YE

Employer website: https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/