Job overview

The Research Nurse/Clinical Trials Practitioner is an autonomous specialist working within the multi-disciplinary team.  The post holder will take responsibility for the co-ordination and management of a clinical research portfolio comprising of in-house, national and international phase II and III clinical trials in oncology malignancies.

Responsibilities will include education of patients and colleagues, coordination of care of patients on trials, collection and preparation of biological samples, collection of trial data and monitoring of the expected and unexpected side effects of drugs and other treatment modalities. The post holder will be expected to develop specialized skills and knowledge relating to the conduct of clinical trials, the therapies and the relevant disease sites. The post holder will be expected to have sufficient skills to enable patients to make informed choices concerning their involvement in clinical trials by providing advice and information and acting as the patient’s advocate. 

The post is clinically based to support research in Gastrointestinal Oncology, and post holders will be expected to provide cross cover for other tumour areas.

Main duties of the job

Research
•    Coordinates and conducts in-house, commercial and non-commercial national and international phase I, II and III clinical trials..
•    Creates and maintains files of current protocols and patient information sheets/consent forms in the appropriate clinics and departments.
•    Be accountable for the documentation of trial data according to ICH GCP guidelines.
•    Applies critical appraisal skills in evaluating research protocols.
•    Ensures trial case report forms are completed in conformance with ICH GCP guidelines and within appropriate time guidelines.

Clinical
•    Demonstrates autonomy as well as the ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary healthcare team in identifying and meeting the needs of the patient and his/her family during various stages of the healthcare continuum.
•    Coordinates and monitors the care of patients on clinical trials as follows:
o    Participates in identifying potential patients for trials.
o    Evaluates eligibility of potential patients.
o    Ensures all pre-study tests are undertaken and results obtained.
o    Acts as patient advocate and assists in obtaining informed consent in the first instance and as the trial progresses/unfolds.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.  

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:  

·       University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)  

·       National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery  

·       Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital  

·       Eastman Dental Hospital  

·       Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine  

·       University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre  

·       The Hospital for Tropical Diseases  

·       University College Hospitals at Westmoreland Street  

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.  

At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.