JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title:
Clinical Research Nurse
Institute:
National Heart and Lung Institute
Division/Section:
International Centre for Circulatory Health
Job Family and Level:
Agenda for Change, Band 6
Salary Range:
£25,783 – £34,530 per annum plus Inner London
Allowance (20% of basic salary, minimum payment of
£4,076 and maximum to £6,279)
Responsible To:
Professor Darrel Francis, Professor of Cardiology
Works closely with:
Emma Coady, Senior Clinical Studies Coordinator
Working Relationships:
Research fellows, clinical research nurses and support
staff
Contract:
Full-time and fixed-term for 12 months
Location:
St Mary’s Campus
Job Summary
You will join an established team of Clinical Research Nurses, Cardiac Physiologists
and project support staff working on a portfolio of studies within the ‘Mechanisms of
Disease’ (MoD) group at Imperial College London. You will work on three main
studies but will be expected to contribute to the portfolio of studies.
The REACH study is investigating the impact of renal denervation on
symptomatology, chemoreflex, baroreflex cardiopulmonary exercise physiology and
cardiac performance in patients with chronic heart failure compared with sham
procedure. This study is in the recruitment phase and along with the Senior Clinical
Research Nurse you will be involved in developing effective recruitment strategies
and coordinating investigations, collecting and documenting accurate data, ensuring
adherence to study protocol and that quality control measures are in place.
The SURESCAN study is an EU funded programme of research to develop bed-side
ultrasound quantification techniques. Your role will be to recruit participants and be
involved in the acquisition of data.
The BRAVO study is a randomised clinical trial of the effects of non-invasive
haemodynamic optimisation of cardiac resynchronisation devices on exercise
capacity. This study is nearing the end of the recruitment phase and is near to
reaching the target of 400 participants. You will be responsible for maintaining the
follow-up phase of this study and will work alongside an established team of cardiac
physiologists in coordinating the follow-up visits throughout 2014.
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The role involves using an in-depth knowledge of study protocols and their
application in practice, alongside a working knowledge and compliance with the local,
national and international research regulations. Along with the Senior Clinical Studies
Coordinator and other team members you will be expected to collaborate and
develop strong links with a number of study stakeholders (e.g. Principal Investigators,
co-investigators, clinicians, and cardiac technicians) in the management of your own
caseload of research participants.
The majority of the work will be at the St. Mary’s Campus but you may be required to
travel to other research sites.
Key responsibilities
Research
 To maintain the clinical management of the MoD studies and manage
timescales and resources to ensure delivery of the protocol to agreed
timetables.
 To liaise closely with the Senior Clinical Studies Coordinator and report to the
study Principal Investigator regarding the conduct and progress of the study.
 To ensure regulatory approvals (NHS Research & Development, Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Research Ethics
Committee (REC) are in place prior to commencement of the study and are
updated as appropriate.
 To be responsible for monitoring and supervision of studies to ensure the
study protocol is adhered to by the research team.
 To work with relevant NHS trusts, general practices, clinicians and NHS
managers to raise awareness and encourage participation in the MoD studies
 To ensure that all study personnel work according to International Conference
on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of
Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and
research governance standards.
 To facilitate the informed consent process in accordance with GCP and REC
guidelines.
 To work with the database manager to ensure the study database
incorporates appropriate user requirements.
 To liaise with personnel outside the NHS trusts, and Imperial College London
as necessary to assist the research process.
 To supply accrual data as required to the relevant Clinical Research Network.
 To identify barriers to recruitment to the study, develop and support action
plans as required and ensure that the Chief Investigator is aware of them
 To arrange and encourage participation in study progress meetings for coinvestigators, collaborators, participating PCTs and other study personnel.
Management
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To line manage nursing and non-nursing staff within the clinical environment.
To ensure the appropriate use of the staff and non staff budget and be aware
of the resource implications of clinical and managerial decisions.
To initiate and review clinical guidelines and standard operating procedures in
order to maintain high standards of care as defined by ICH GCP.
To ensure staff are aware of the protocols and progress of all studies.
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Leadership
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To maintain the research participants’ involvement in the study and elicit their
views and opinions to develop the portfolio of studies.
To act as a role model regarding research within Imperial College London and
Imperial College Healthcare Trust.
To proactively recognise and respond to factors which impinge upon staff
morale and standards of care.
To be able to organise own workload in accordance with other demands
To make other members of staff aware of current research and studies
ongoing in ICCH, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare
NHS Trust.
To contribute to regular team meetings and ensure that information is
communicated throughout the teams.
Clinical
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To manage a caseload of research participants visits alongside other clinical
responsibilities.
To co-ordinate the clinical and off-site caseload of the portfolio of studies
providing cover where necessary.
To undertake training in diagnostic exercise physiology testing and other
clinical assessments.
To be involved in all aspects of the REACH, BRAVO and SURESCAN studies
and identify areas for development and improvement.
To ensure study physician cover is negotiated and available for each study
where appropriate.
To audit the completion of case report forms (CRF).
To maintain systems which store and back up study data appropriately.
To ensure staff are trained in blood sample processing, storage and
movements tracked as required by the study protocol and according to trust
protocols.
To ensure quality control measures are in place for each clinical investigation.
To provide research participants with a primary point of contact for queries,
questions or support.
Professional and Educational Responsibilities
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To participate in, and contribute to, the academic programme of seminars and
staff meetings in the locality.
To act as a resource for colleagues in relation to all aspects of clinical
research.
To assist in the education and support of health care professionals to enable
them to care for research participants.
To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of cardiovascular research related
articles.
To ensure new staff are effectively orientated to the team and receive ongoing support and education.
Continue your own professional development keeping up-to-date with current
practice and maintaining Post-registration education and practice
requirements.
To maintain links with other research nurses and clinical nurse specialists
within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to share knowledge and
provide mutual support.
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To develop personal and professional knowledge through study, critical selfappraisal, clinical supervision and networking with other health professionals
locally and nationally.
Other
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To ensure that the views of research participants are effectively sought,
channelled and acted upon.
To act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of
Professional Conduct.
To maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
To observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the
key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data
Protection, Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety,
Imperial Expectations (for new leaders, managers and supervisors),
Information Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and
Smoking.
To undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set
out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities
page
(http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out
in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality
Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
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IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications:
Essential:
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Registered Nurse
To have or be willing to undertake further professional qualifications
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential:
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Experience working in a relevant clinical speciality
Experience of using research methodologies
Knowledge and/or experience of clinical trials/research
Experience of managing patient caseload
Knowledge of research governance
Awareness of resources and the ability to operate within a financial budget
Desirable:
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A sound knowledge of and experience in cardiovascular nursing
Previous management or teaching experience
Experience of patient recruitment in primary care
A knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) in the context of clinical trials
Experience of change management
Experience of clinical supervision
Experience of audit and quality initiatives
Skills and Abilities:
Essential:
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Excellent clinical skills including competence in venepuncture
Ability to work effectively and independently as well as part of the multidisciplinary team
Ability to prioritise, instruct, direct and motivate others
Good organisational and managerial skills
Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels
Computer literate
The ability to manage conflict
Methodical and accurate in the gathering and recording of data
Ability to show evidence of continuing professional development relevant to
the speciality
Ability to show evidence of teaching and mentoring
Ability to accommodate a flexible work pattern to achieve the study
requirements
Other:
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A strong sense of vision for developing the role
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