Job summary

This role is for an experienced Research Nurse or Physiotherapist with ICU experience and an interest in post-ICU rehabilitation. Directed by the Chief Investigator, Sarah Vollam and Co-investigators in the Critical Care Research Group based in the Kadoorie Centre , the post holder will be involved with all aspects of clinical research delivery for the PROgnosiS Prediction after Enhanced or CriTical care (PROSPECT) Study (PROSPECT) study and our other BRC-funded research projects. This will include, screening and recruitment of study participants, data collection and participant follow up, in addition to Trial Master File administration and research training. They will also be supported to develop academic skills, including research design, qualitative interviewing and analysis, paper writing, dissemination and Patient and Public Involvement.

The post holder will be able to work both collaboratively and independently to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable throughout all clinical study processes; and to ensure the study is managed in accordance with 'Good Clinical Practice' and 'Research Governance'.

Main duties of the job

The primary roles of the post include:

Screen and recruit research participants into the PROSPECT study and other BRC-funded studies

Providing support and information to participants involved in the research study

Organising follow up for research participants, including interviews

Recording research data and documentation accurately and in a timely manner

Embedding a culture of research participation in the clinical areas where the studies are based, working with clinical staff to ensure the integration of research activity into routine clinical care

Acting as a liaison between clinical and research teams to facilitate Good Clinical Practice

Reporting problems and issues with the research study to the appropriate person in a timely manner, and identifying solutions

Conducting and reporting systematic reviews

Conducting and analysing qualitative research

Writing papers for peer reviewed journals

Presenting research results at conferences

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustis 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. 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 description

Job responsibilities

Key working relationships

The post holder will work closely with:

Patients and carers

Research staff at the University of Oxford

Research staff within the OUHFT

Ward and clinic staff at the OUHFT

Chief and Principal Investigators, external research staff and administrators, and study sponsors,

OUHFT Research and Development Office

Knowledge, Training, and Education

The post holder will:

Acquire detailed knowledge of the study on which they are working

Acquire a clear understanding of the study and will be able to provide a brief explanation of the research to clinicians and patients, and know where to find more information

Be a positive role model in promoting the research profile with staff, patients and the public

Attend meetings locally and nationally to acquire the necessary training for specific research activities, as required

Maintain awareness of current relevant treatments and advances, and use this knowledge to maintain the highest standard of evidence based care for patients with illnesses relating to the research activity

Maintain awareness of the current clinical pathway, audits and issues affecting patient care, and use this to identify any issues which could influence the conduct of research study

Access medical records for research purposes

Conduct a thorough literature search relevant to the research project and review the evidence to inform the study.

With support, conduct qualitative interviews and analyse qualitative data

With support, write papers reporting study results for peer reviewed journals.

Undergo required training including Good Clinical Practice (GCP) equivalent, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) data collection techniques and analysis.

Clinical Responsibility

The post holder will be required to:

Provide patients/family members with comprehensive complex information in an easily understandable way concerning clinical research to facilitate the process of informed consent/consultee opinion. This may include utilising translation and interpretation services and will require tact and careful judgement of understanding.

Ensure that all patients are fully informed of the standard management as well as the research activity, the structure of the research, and the potential risks, benefits and side effects.

Be sensitive to the emotional needs of patients, and their relatives, using tact and making judgments about appropriateness of approach for research projects.

Provide support and advice to patients, relatives and staff before, during and after research activity, appreciating that they may need to understand further

Ensure that patients are assured of the voluntary nature of any research participation and their right to refuse or withdraw at any point in the study

Act as a patient advocate

Co-ordinate study procedures to maximise patient comfort and wellbeing, communicating clearly with the necessary parties as required

Collect data from medical records and complete Case Report Forms (CRFs) as required

Work within the multi-disciplinary team, promoting individualised care for patients

Maintain a confidential register of patients willing to be contacted in the future about research studies

Ensure members of the research team fulfil study requirements in accordance with the research protocol and Good Clinical Practice

Assist with administration of the study and storage of relevant documents.

Prepare reports for the funders, papers for publication and present findings at a variety of meetings and conferences.

Visit clinical ward areas to place wearable monitoring on patients, which may require occasional exposure to unpleasant conditions related to patient contact ( contact with soiled wound dressings, etc.)

Leadership and management

The post holder will be required to:

Liaise with designated staff within departments to ensure the smooth running of research study

Record and report to all pertinent authorities any serious adverse events that occur whilst patients is involved in research activity

Lead the interviewing arm of the study, including conducting qualitative interviews which require processing of complex data, considering responses during the interviews and formulating follow-up questions, and complex analysis of the data requiring frequent periods of prolonged concentration.

Follow standard operating procedures to signpost interview participants to support if they become upset or distressed during interviews.

Work at all times to regulations described in ICH, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and to the current research governance regulations in the OUH trust

Liaise with external investigators as necessary

Work with the R and D staff as appropriate

Present findings at a variety of meetings and conferences.

Liaise with PPI representatives.

Person Specification

Education, training, qualifications and experience

Essential

Hons degree in Nursing or related health subject Knowledge of research methodologies Good Clinical Practice training. NMC registration Competency in clinical skills relevant to clinical research area Competent to work under own initiative within boundaries of the role. Competency in high level of accuracy and when assessing participants and documenting research and care activities Evidence of experience of management and multidisciplinary working, as part of a research delivery team. Knowledge of duty for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults through policies, procedures and practices relevant for this role Motivated and able to articulate reasons for desire to work in specific practice area Willingness and enthusiasm towards working as part of a multi-disciplinary team in delivering research and care, as required Good organisational skills - ability to multi task and respond under pressure and able to prioritise workload Computer literate with experience of working with Microsoft Office packages Advanced keyboard skills, to ensure fluent documentation. Able to supervise non registered and less experienced staff to ensure effective research and care delivery. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with service support departments, clinical research associates, sponsor representative, R&D staff as appropriate

Desirable

Postgraduate studies at level 7 Specialist post-graduate education / qualifications, or training relevant to area of clinical practice and/or clinical research delivery Knowledge of NHS research governance and policy Human Tissue Act training Experience of qualitative research Ability to appraise documents, using analytical and problem-solving skills