Clinical Research Nurse - Transplant Center

Houston Methodist; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist is seeking a Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) in Houston, Texas. The CRN works independently to facilitate and coordinate clinical trial activities, ensuring patient safety and compliance with research protocols.

Candidates must possess a nursing degree, Texas RN license, and at least one year of clinical research or acute care experience. Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills are essential. This role involves significant patient interaction, education, and teamwork in the clinical research setting.

Qualifications

• One year acute care or clinical research experience.
• RN – Registered Nurse – Texas State Licensure required.
• BLS certification needed.

Responsibilities

• Support daily clinical trial activities as a CRN.
• Provide research interventions and patient education.
• Manage multiple projects across all phases of clinical research.

Skills

Therapeutic communication

Clinical problem-solving

Teamwork

Basic computer knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or higher

Tools

Hospital Information Systems

Office software

Job description

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) is a licensed clinician who works independently to support, facilitate, and coordinate daily clinical trial activities. The CRN operates at the Competent level of Benner’s model, provides direct patient care to research patients under the supervision of the Clinical Trials Manager and Principal Investigator, implements care according to the research protocol, collaborates with the Performance Improvement department, sponsors, and institution on GCP compliance, and serves as a liaison between physicians, patients, staff, and sponsors. The CRN delivers exceptional patient care while adhering to regulatory agencies and Houston Methodist standards to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or higher from an accredited school of nursing

Experience

• One year acute care or clinical research experience

Licenses and Certifications

• RN – Registered Nurse – Texas State Licensure – Texas Board of Nursing_PS_V Compact Licensure – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency)
• BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) – American Heart Association

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform essential job functions, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers in a customer‑service‑focused manner with positive language principles
• Demonstrates clinical problem‑solving and critical thinking using an analytical approach
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision, including organizing workflow and actively participating in problem solving
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team‑player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and ensures excellent customer service for patients, visitors, physicians, and co‑workers
• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems including Hospital Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents

Essential Functions

People Essential Functions

• Uses therapeutic communication, including active listening and teaching, to provide research interventions and care to clinical research patients and coordinates with the interprofessional team as written in the research protocol; contributes to teamwork by consistently responding positively to requests for assistance.
• Provides patient education regarding disease process, involves patient and family in decision‑making, consistently evaluates patient comprehension, and adapts teaching methods accordingly; advocates on patient/family’s behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns using appropriate resources.
• Facilitates onboarding and orientation for new staff in conjunction with the Clinical Trials Manager; precepts new clinical research staff in the clinical setting; uses peer‑to‑peer accountability to improve department turnover, retention, and employee engagement scores.

Service Essential Functions

• Manages multiple projects at different stages of the clinical research process (Phase 1–Phase 4).
• Coordinates pre‑site and site initiation visits; trains hospital and clinic nurses/physicians on scientific aspects and protocol requirements of research studies; attends off‑site investigator meetings.
• Provides comprehensive nursing assessments to develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate activities associated with all phases of clinical research projects; monitors safety of all research subjects and reports adverse events.
• Helps drive improvement of department patient‑satisfaction scores through peer‑to‑peer accountability to service standards.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Follows the clinical research protocol and nursing process, modifying care based on continuous evaluation of the research patient’s condition; performs nursing functions independently and collaborates with the Principal Investigator as approved by hospital administration for clinical research conduct.
• Collects, processes, and ships protocol‑required lab specimens; maintains supply and equipment inventory; maintains appropriate laboratory certification and performs study close‑out procedures including post‑study documentation, return of study materials to the sponsor, and data archiving.
• Collaborates with the Principal Investigator, Institutional Review Board (IRB), and regulatory documents for submission, ensuring compliance with local and federal regulatory standards as appropriate and required by the research protocol; follows International Council for Harmonisation/Good Clinical Practice guidelines.

Finance Essential Functions

• Assists financial analyst in developing calendar and Medicare Cost Analysis; standard of care procedures vs. research and approves study calendars for Clinical Trials Management System.
• Identifies, recruits, and consents clinical research subjects for participation in approved clinical trials; monitors enrollment goals and modifies enrollment strategies as necessary.
• Enters study‑related data into Clinical Trials Management System (CTMS) in accordance with Houston Methodist Research Institute policy.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Identifies and presents areas for innovation, efficiency, and improvement in patient‑care operations using evidence‑based practice literature; offers innovative solutions through evidence‑based practice and performance‑improvement projects and activities.
• Maintains accountability for ongoing professional growth and development; participates in unit activities; completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis.

Supplemental Requirements

• Work Attire
  • Uniform: Yes
  • Scrubs: Yes
  • Business professional: No
  • Other (department approved): No
• On Call
  • No
  • Note that employees may be required to be on call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection above.
• Travel
  • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
  • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No