Imperial College London
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Neonatal Research Nurse
Section
Paediatrics
Department
Medicine
Grade
Agenda for Change Pay Band 6
Salary Range
£24,831 - £33,436 plus 20% Inner London Allowance (maximum £6,080) per
annum
Responsible to
Professor Neena Modi
Responsible for
Supporting clinical research activities
Duration
1 year
Location
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and other Imperial College campuses
Background and Description of Post
The Neonatal Research Unit of Imperial College Hospital is based at the Chelsea & Westminster
campus. The Unit includes the Neonatal Data Analysis Unit (NDAU), and the Newborn Clinical
Research Programme, The NDAU was established in 2006 to utilise electronic clinical data to
support service evaluations and facilitate research in neonatal medicine. The Newborn Clinical
Research Programme is focussed upon the impact of preterm birth, nutrition and other early
developmental influences upon health and wellbeing including body composition,
neurodevelopment and later metabolic outcomes. The research involves cross campus
collaborations, and the employment of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and other novel
investigative techniques.
We are seeking a committed Research Nurse to provide complementary skills and experience to
this growing research programme. We have a wide and growing portfolio of research projects
involving infants and adults and are developing new investigative modalities using state-of-the art
techniques. The appointee will contribute to the conduct of the research programme and its
continued expansion and development, and play an active role within the research group. The post
holder will participate in and assist with the co-ordination of clinical research activities involving
patients and healthy volunteers (adults, children and infants) for example those undergoing
magnetic resonance studies (imaging, spectroscopy and functional imaging) of body composition,
brain development and appetite. The post offers exemplary opportunities for career development
within a vibrant research environment a premiere UK research institution.
The programme is led by Professor Neena Modi, Section of Neonatal Medicine, within the
Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster campus in collaboration
with non-clinical colleagues on other Imperial campuses.
The work will involve liaison with parents, researchers and clinical staff Imperial College campuses
and other academic institutions and hospitals. Prior experience of working in a busy neonatal unit,
care of the newborn, and clinical, epidemiological or health service research and/or the
management of neonatal services is essential. This new post is ideal for a self-motivated person
and offers unparalleled opportunities for professional development.
This is a full-time position. The appointee will be primarily based at the Chelsea & Westminster
Hospital, London with whom the post-holder will hold an Honorary Clinical contract, Chelsea &
Westminster Hospital is a campus of Imperial College London. As a member of the Division of
Medicine, Section of Neonatal Medicine s/he will be expected to play a full and active role in the
academic life of the Neonatal Research Unit.
Key Working Relationships
Neonatal Medicine Research Co-ordinator, Neonatal Data Analysis Unit, NDAU staff, Clinical
Research Fellows, Assistants and Students, Neonatal Network Managers, Neonatal Networks,
Women’s and Children’s Directorates of NHS Trusts, Specialist Commissioners, NHS Research &
Development Managers, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health and other professional
bodies.
Key Responsibilities

Recruiting subjects for research studies

Co-ordinating and arranging research visits

Assisting with and preparing research participants for imaging studies

Measurement of height, weight and blood pressure

Obtaining clinical specimens from patients

Administration of oral glucose tolerance tests

Liaison with research teams at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and the MRC Clinical
Sciences Centre at the Hammersmith Hospital

Liaison with research participants, radiographers, clinicians, researchers and ward staff to coordinate research visit attendances

Centrifugation of plasma, aliquoting and freezing samples and organising their safe and
timely delivery to the appropriate laboratory

Administration of research questionnaires
Other duties

To undertake any necessary training and/or development

To collate and document investigations and patient results through completion of both paper
case report forms and electronic data collection systems

To attend local/international meetings, workshops and conferences as necessary

To report on progress at regular intervals, verbally and in writing

To promote team working and good professional relationships

To present findings to colleagues

To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College

To provide guidance to students and other members of the research group

To participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars

To demonstrate a willingness to work flexibly if the requirements of the project demand this

To comply with the College and Hospital safety practices and to attend courses on safety
when appropriate.

To comply with relevant College policies and regulations (eg Financial Regulations, Equal
Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Information
Systems Security Policy, Data Protection, Intellectual Property Rights, Register of Interests)
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to undertake
other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies and
regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination.
All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our Equal Opportunities in
Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and Disability Policy and all other
relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education and Qualifications
Essential

Registered Neonatal Nurse, Children’s Nurse or Midwife

Newborn Life Support Certification
Desirable

A postgraduate degree

Other vocational training in a relevant field
Knowledge and Experience
Essential

Experience of working with neonatal patients and their parents

Experience of neonatal practice in a level 3 intensive care unit at a senior nursing level

Clinical, epidemiological or health service research and/or the management of neonatal
services

Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice guidelines, EU and UK research directives and
research governance requirements
Desirable

Experience of research involving children and adults

Writing research papers

Writing grant applications

Writing research ethics applications
Skills and Abilities
Essential

Ability to obtain blood samples from infants and adults

Ability to work independently and to strict targets and timescales

Ability to recruit participants to a clinical trial in accordance with the requirements of informed
patient consent

Ability to work independently and in a team

Ability to use spreadsheets

Excellent working knowledge of using PCs, Microsoft Office (Particularly Word, Excel,
Outlook and PowerPoint) and electronic mail packages

Demonstrable administrative and organisation skills

Extremely well organised with meticulous attention to detail
Desirable

Familiarity with data management
Application Guidance
Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your application, how much
you feel you meet each of the criteria. If you need more space, please attach additional sheets to
the application form.
The recruitment monitoring section of your application will be detached and will be used only for
monitoring and audit purposes as a basis for supporting our commitment to Equal Opportunities.
An application form and full CV quoting reference number HM2010006 (Post 2) should be sent,
by the closing date of 14 February 2010, online via the Imperial College iRecruitment website.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date.
If you have any further queries, please telephone 020 8383 4575.
Thanks you for your interesting this post. We look forward to receiving your application.