Southern Adelaide Health Service
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(NON-MANAGERIAL)
Title of Position:
Research Nurse
Classification
Registered Nurse Level 1
Position Number:
Administrative Unit:
Southern Adelaide Health Service
Health Unit:
Repatriation General Hospital
Division:
Nursing & Patient Services
Department:
Endocrine Services
Position Created
Job and Person Specification Approval
……………………….………………………..
CEO or Delegate
……. / ……. / ……...
Occupant
Signature: ………………………….……..… Name: ………………….
….... / …….. / ……...
JOB SPECIFICATION
1. PREAMBLE
The Southern Adelaide Health Service (Southern Health) was established in 2004. It brought
together Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Health Services and Drug and Alcohol Services SA. It
includes Population & Primary Health Care, Southern Mental Health and Southern Child &
Adolescent Mental Health Services, and works closely with other health providers in the southern
area. Repatriation General Hospital, a public teaching hospital, formally joined Southern Health in
July 2008, further consolidating the working relationship formed over the past four years.
With an annual budget in excess of $500M, Southern Health provides care for around 330,000
people living in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide as well as providing a number of statewide services, and services to those in the regional areas.
More than 7,000 skilled staff provide high quality patient care, education, research and health
promoting services.
2. SUMMARY OF THE BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Research Nurse has responsibilities for coordination of research protocols in keeping with ICH
GCP Guidelines. (International Conference of Harmonisation – Good Clinical Practice Guidelines).
The work of the research nurse may involve patient recruitment, appointments and clinical follow
up, the collection of data, the collection of specimens and collation of test results and the
appropriate reporting of adverse events.
The Research Nurse works with the Clinical Nurse (Clinical Facilitation) Endocrine Research and
the Clinical Research Manager in the provision of high quality, cost effective research within the
Southern Adelaide Diabetes & Endocrine Services.
3. REPORTING/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS.
 Reports to the Clinical Research Manager (RN level 3).
 Accountable to the Director, Southern Adelaide Diabetes & Endocrine Services and/or Principal
Investigator.
 Works in partnership with the Clinical Nurse (Clinical Facilitation) Endocrine Research.
 Collaborative working relationship with relative medical and allied health professionals.
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4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
 Must be prepared to participate and act in accordance with the Hospital's counter disaster plan,
policies and procedures when required.
 Promote equal employment opportunity and occupational health safety and welfare policies,
practices and principles.
 Required to understand and comply with the RGH Risk Management Plan and Risk
Management and Corporate Governance Policy.
 Some interstate travel may be required.
 Job and Person Specifications are reviewed regularly as part of the ongoing Performance
Development process.
 May be required to work within other locations of the Southern Adelaide Health Service.
 Some out of hours work may be required.
 Support values consistent with the aims of the Region, including honesty, respect and integrity.
 Comply with the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the Department
of Health, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage and transfer of all personal
patient/client information within the Department and throughout its funded service providers.
5. STATEMENT OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES.
5.1 Implements and maintains the Clinical Research Study Protocol by:
 Assisting with the identification of potentially eligible patients and arranging and/or
undertaking the screening procedures for study entry.
 Maintaining clinical research data in accordance within the Good Clinical Practice
guidelines and to the satisfaction of external audit committees.
 Communicating effectively with research subjects, members of the health care team,
clinical investigators and company representatives.
 Ensuring that, prior to joining the study, eligible patients receive written information about
the study.
 Ensuring that informed written consent from patients who meet the study criteria has been
obtained.
 Participating with patient teaching to inform and prepare them, and if necessary their
relatives, for investigation and/or treatment.
 Assessing patients, recording adverse events and giving instructions as needed.
 Appropriate reporting of all adverse events.
 Co-ordinating patient appointments and clinical follow-up.
 Giving special attention to participating patients who have other conditions requiring drug
therapy to detect, record and report previously unsuspected drug interactions.
 Collecting and preparing appropriate specimens and forwarding them for laboratory
evaluation.
 Collating test results, collecting and recording relevant data for statistical purposes and
responding to requests for reports relating to the data collected.
 Monitoring by review, and follow-up, the care and progress of patients involved in the
study.
 Acting as a contact person for patient enquires.
 Ensuring that confidentiality and security of patient information is maintained.
5.2 Contributes to the effectiveness of the team by:
 Promoting a positive environment, the outcome of which is reflected in patients who are
well informed and compliant with therapies.
 Developing professional knowledge by reference to relevant literature and participating in
professional development programs.
 Contributing to the development of positive staff morale and team cohesiveness.
 Conducting all activities in a manner consistent with Occupational Health and Safety
principles.
 Maintaining flexibility in work arrangements by collaborating with other research staff to
maintain the overall research output of the unit.
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5.3 Maintains ongoing personal professional development / continuing education:
 Assumes responsibility for own professional development and maintenance of
professional knowledge and skills relevant to the area of practice. Actively participates in
own performance appraisal process.
 Identifies personal professional development and continuing education needs and
negotiates with the Endocrine Research Coordinator to arrange for these needs to be met
where possible.
 Assumes responsibility to meet the requirements of the Australian Nursing Council Inc.
(ANCI) National Competencies for the Registered Nurse in Recommended Domains.
 Assumes responsibility to meet the requirements of the ANCI Code of Professional
Conduct for Nurses in Australia (1995) and the Commissioner for Public Employment
Code of Conduct for Public Employees.
 Assumes responsibility to meet the personal requirements of the SA Nurses Act 1999.
5.4 Endocrine Procedures
 Provide back up to the Endocrine nurse primarily responsible for diagnostic tests
undertaken by the Southern Adelaide Diabetes and Endocrine Service.
 Perform endocrine blood sampling on patients according to specific protocols with
responsibility for sample handling, processing and appropriate delivery to the laboratory.
 Availability as a patient contact to respond to patient’s problems and questions.
 Provide patient education about chronic endocrine diseases.
 Compilation and documentation of procedure results.
 Appropriate documentation and observation of patients undergoing endocrine procedures.
 Liaison with referring physicians regarding standard investigation protocols.
5.4 Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination and
harassment by working in accordance with legislative requirements, the Code of
Conduct and departmental human resource policies, including the OHS&W
requirements.
DOCUMENT REVIEW RECORD
Review Date
Amendment Details
October 2009
Updated to include relevant legislative standards and act details.
April 2010
Updated and reformatted to include SAHS requirements
RNL1 - Registered Nurse – Endocrine Research
Who Performed Update
ND – N&PSS (Lesley Jeffers)
Manager, Nursing Admin
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Educational/Vocational Requirements
 Registered as a General Nurse with the Nurses Board of South Australia and holds a current
practising certificate.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
 Effective interpersonal communication skills.
 Ability to meet deadlines.
 Ability to write clear and accurate reports.
 Critical analysis skills.
 Awareness of research principles.
 Computer literacy.
Experience
 Previous experience in conducting research or clinical trials.
 Demonstrated competence in the relevant area of nursing practice in accordance with the
appropriate standards of practice.
Knowledge
 Understanding of the role of the research nurse.
 Understanding of Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare principles and procedures.
 Understanding of Quality Management principles and procedures.
DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Educational/Vocational Requirements
 Higher degree qualification in nursing or related discipline.
 Interest in Diabetes Education. (eg. Diabetes Resource Nurse) and Endocrinology.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
 Displays well developed organisational and decision making skills.
 Proven ability to work within a team.
 Proven ability to perform effectively under pressure and prioritise workloads.
Experience
 Substantial clinical experience of investigations and team orientated interaction between medical,
nursing and laboratory staff.
 Previous experience in venepuncture and cannulation.
Knowledge
 A sound knowledge of ICH Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.
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