Clinical Research Nurse

Job summary

We are seeking a committed and enthusiastic Band 6 Clinical Research Nurse to work on a diverse portfolio of studies that aim to understand how to protect people against respiratory viral infections, within the Section of Adult Infectious Diseases as part of Professor Chris Chiu's research group (www.imperial.ac.uk/people/c.chiu). Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronaviruses (CoV) are major causes of severe disease worldwide. They occur both seasonally and, as with SARS-CoV-2,

Main duties of the job

You will work with Professor Chris Chiu, the Lead Nurse and team of Research Nurses to recruit participants to these world-leading experimental medicine and patient-facing studies. These unique studies will require you to screen and enrol volunteers; assist with virus inoculation; monitor participants during their subsequent in-patient stay in the quarantine facility; obtain clinical samples, including by phlebotomy and assisting with bronchoscopy; and accurately record and enter clinical data.

About us

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact. Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world's toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact. As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you'll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network. This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you'll join us at Imperial.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are seeking a committed and enthusiastic Band 6 Research Nurse to assist with a growing and evolving portfolio of studies that aim to understand how to protect people against respiratory viral infection.

Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronaviruses (CoV) are major causes of severe disease worldwide. They occur both seasonally and, as with SARS-CoV-2, may be responsible for devastating pandemics. There remain many unanswered questions about why some people develop severe disease while others do not when infected with the same virus. Better understanding of these differences will lead directly to improvements in the development of more effective vaccines and treatments.

You will work with Professor Chris Chiu, the lead research nurse, band 6 clinical research nurses, a clinical fellow and other key members of the multi-disciplinary group to recruit participants to these world-leading experimental medicine and patient-facing studies. These include human infection challenge studies, in which healthy volunteers are infected with RSV, influenza or SARS-CoV-2 and their immune responses over the course of infection. This is measured by regular blood collection, nasal samples and on occasion bronchoscopy procedures.

These unique studies will require you to work collaboratively to screen and enrol volunteers; assist with virus inoculation; monitor participants during their subsequent in-patient stay in the quarantine facility; obtain clinical samples, including by phlebotomy and assisting with bronchoscopy; and accurately record and enter clinical data. You will be joining a well-established, friendly and diverse team of Research Nurses, and will be supported directly by the team's Band 7 Clinical Research Nurse to develop your knowledge and skills required to effectively deliver the specialist study portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical /Research:

Study implementation

• To participate in advertising for and recruitment of volunteers and patients suitable for clinical studies of viral lung disease.
• To screen the volunteers and patients against the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• To obtain clinical histories and samples following enrolment. o To carry out and/or assist with clinical procedures within studies including: phlebotomy, nasal sampling, and bronchoscopy.
• To support research bronchoscopies and therefore willing/available to intermittently attend 7am lists at Hammersmith or up to a maximum of twice a week.
• To instruct and educate participants on study procedures. o To collect and record clinical data from patients by developing and updating databases.
• To maintain accurate documentation of study events in research/medical notes.
• To help with participant care while they are in clinical studies and liaise with study physicians as appropriate.
• To provide research participants with a point of contact for queries, questions or support.
• To help identify, record and report any adverse events. o To contribute to monitoring recruitment progress to ensure compliance with and adherence to the project plan and to identify, evaluate and rectify problems.
• To help maintain data and case report files (paper based and electronic) relating to clinical trials in accordance with GCP (Good Clinical Practice).
• To maintain participants' confidentiality according to the Data Protection Act and GDPR.

Development and maintenance of optimal processes.

• To ensure data are stored and backed up appropriately. o To help develop strategies to identify patients for clinical studies. o To participate in writing standard operation procedures for clinical trial procedures.

General research activities

• To work collaboratively with the other research teams working on respiratory infection.
• To participate in and contribute to relevant academic events.
• To provide support for clinical research study colleagues in their absence.

Communication:

• The overall efficient day-to-day delivery of the study ensuring the timely recruitment of study participants and data entry.
• To contribute to regular and ad hoc information, both written and verbal, provided to study participants, funders and sponsors, to include reports, updates and guidance.
• To communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• To manage own time and case load independently.
• To take part in public involvement and engagement activities as requested by line manager.

Personal Education, Training and Development:

To keep up-to-date with national and international standards and legislation on management of clinical research, ensuring effective implementation of changes.

To attend training courses, departmental and study meetings as appropriate.

Continue your own professional development keeping updated with current practice.

• To remain updated and current on the professional register of the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of respiratory infection research.

Other Responsibilities:

To undertake routine administrative tasks related to the study, as required.

Any other duties commensurate with a Band 6 post as directed by the Line Manager.

You will also comply with all relevant College policies

Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct.

To always maintain patient confidentiality.

Clinical Responsibilities

This is an Agenda for Change post; as such, your NHS career progression and pension can continue. The post holder will hold an honorary clinical contract with the appropriate NHS Trust/s and will be expected to take clinical responsibilities appropriate to their level of experience and expertise.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of up-to-date professional development.
• Previous bronchoscopy assistance experience.

Desirable

• Experience in respiratory medicine or infection
• Background in clinical practice and clinical research
• Previous research experience

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (minimum 2 years post experience in a relevant area.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Imperial College London

Address

Du Cane Road London

London

W12 0NN

Employer's website

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)