Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Research Nurse to come and work within the Cardiovascular Research team. The post holder will work as part of the Research Team, predominately within Vascular surgery, the Oxford Heart Centre and the University Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, who are involved in a wide spectrum of clinical research ranging from observational studies to early phase clinical studies and trials, to large multi-centre randomised trials. Key roles include:

• Working with Principal Investigators (PIs) and their teams to manage and co-ordinate the processes and care involved with patients participating in clinical research studies.
• Deliver study information to patients throughout the trial period, including providing advice, support and direct care to patients and their families involved in clinical research studies.
• Taking informed consent, reviewing patient's pre, during and following research studies as well as taking blood samples, ECGs and other standard cardiovascular investigations (for which training would be provided if required).
• Act as an expert source of clinical guidance to nurses and multidisciplinary colleagues regarding the impact and implications of the clinical research. Including delivering of training to those involved in the project and participate in presentations and educational sessions as required

Main duties of the job
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated Research Nurse to come and work within the Cardiovascular Research team. The post holder will work predominantly within Vascular Surgery and the Oxford Heart Centre on a variety of clinical research studies, ranging from observational studies to large multi-centre randomised trials.

The Cardiovascular Team is a team of dedicated nurses, coordinators and data coordinators who work together to provide a quality service for the rolling program of cardiovascular and vascular surgery research studies, trials and projects undertaken within the OUH.

We are looking for a registered nurse with excellent clinical and organisational skills, who is able to manage a patient caseload. They will need excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Research experience would be an advantage but not essential as training will be given.

The post holder will have ownership over a number of studies and will be the initial point of contact for patients on these studies. The post holder will be supported by the wider research team lead by the Lead Cardiac Research Nurse Manager and Principle Investigators.

The post is a 12 month fixed term contract.

The post is Ideally full time, however we will consider applicants requiring part time hours. The role is funded by The South Central Research delivery Network.

About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Job responsibilities
Co-ordinate and monitor the care of patients in clinical research studies and trials as follows:

• Act as an initial point of contact for patients on trials and studies.
• Participate in identifying potential patients for studies, which may include a variety of identification methods, for example attending MDT meetings and clinics as appropriate.
• Evaluate the eligibility of potential patients.
• Participate in informed consent, randomisation and treatment allocation as stipulated in the trial protocol.
• Provide general written and verbal information to patients and families on the concept of clinical research and detailed information regarding the objectives, scientific rationale, treatment, investigations side effects and follow-up for individual studies.
• Manage a caseload of patients. Participate in decision making concerning treatment of patients on clinical studies in accordance with the study protocol. Disseminate information to other clinical teams as appropriate.

Person Specification
Essential

• Qualifications - Registered nurse: entry on either part 1 or 12 of the NMC register
• Educated to degree level
• Significant experience and expertise within speciality of the recruiting area for the research nurse role - supplemented by specialist training to post-graduate diploma level
• Knowledge of research methodologies
• Evidence of ongoing CPD, including multi-source feedback within own professional portfolio
• Competency in clinical skills relevant to clinical research area - may include but not limited to vital sign recording, drug administration, phlebotomy/ cannulation/ECG/ cognitive assessment
• Competent to work under own initiative within boundaries of the role
• Able to proactively contribute to the education of learners, MDT colleagues and less experienced staff
• Commitment to evidencing own professional development, capabilities, and competency development
• Engage in clinical supervision where appropriate to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours
• Evidence of effective team working and team leadership (when required) as part of research delivery team
• Align to the Trust values, conducts themselves in a professional manner at all times
• Engages with tasks and stakeholders in a professional and constructive manner, evidenced by reliable delivery and respectful communication.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in delivering research and care, as required
• Maintains high standards of quality, accuracy, and professionalism in all aspects of work, and contributes constructively to maintaining a positive and reliable service.
• Organised and able to prioritise own workload
• Ability to maintain and contribute to development of standard operating procedures and research processes
• Acts as a role model in clinical research delivery nursing, evidenced by adherence to standards and support to colleagues.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with service support departments, clinical research associates, sponsor representative, R&D staff as appropriate
• Provides supervision non-registered and less experienced staff to ensure effective research and care delivery.
• Motivated and able to articulate reasons for desire to work in specific practice area
• Ability to recognise own limitations, working within scope of practice, acting on feedback linked to practice change when required
• Excellent communication skills, all channels
• Flexibility in working hours as needed for the post
• Computer literate with experience of working with Microsoft Office packages
• Advanced keyboard skills, to ensure fluent documentation

Desirable

• Specialist post-graduate education / qualifications, or training relevant to area of clinical practice and/or clinical research delivery
• Good Clinical Practice training
• Human Tissue Act training
• Informed consent training
• Knowledge of NHS research governance and policy
• Associate Principal Investigator/Principal Investigator training
• Laboratory skills
• Ability to work with a high level of attention to detail
• Ability to appraise documents, using analytical and problem-solving skills

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.
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 the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.