James Paget Healthcare Nhs Trust

Imperial College London

Job Description

Job Title: Research Nurse

Centre: Translational Neurosciences

Division: Brain Sciences

Department: Medicine

Job Family & Level: Agenda for Change, Band 7

Salary Range: £30,460 - £40,157 per annum plus 20% Inner London Allowance (maximum £6,217) per annum

Responsible to: Professor Praveen Anand

Location: Hammersmith Campus

Duration: Full-time, fixed-term until 26 June 2013

Project title: DRGNET - Enabling access to human dorsal root ganglia (sensory ganglia) for pain research

Summary of the Post

Current treatment for chronic nerve pain is not effective, we need to treat around 4 patients before even one patient has 50% pain relief, and the drugs have major side-effects. Advancing the treatment of neuropathic (nerve) pain would be facilitated by studies of human sensory neurons (nerves), cultured from sensory ganglia (DRG, dorsal root ganglia). We therefore now propose to establish ethical harvesting of human DRG from organ transplant donors by via the National Organ Retrieval Service (NORS). This post is to help seek necessary approvals and set up the collection and study of human sensory ganglia (DRG). The study is funded by NC3Rs, with support from the Medical Research Council, UK.

This post would support the Principal Investigator’s team in seeking national and local approvals, and help the Specialist Nurses – Organ Donation (SN-ODs) facilitating the DRG study. While some previous experience of the procedures would be helpful this will not be necessary, as training and guidance will be provided. The role of this post will include:

 helping with Ethics and local research approvals  liaising with NHS Trusts and the local Designated Individual where the DRGs would be retrieved.  working with the local Designated Individual to ensure the appropriate governance framework is in place as requires by the HTA  support to the SN-ODs taking consent for this study  Liaise with the NORS teams where appropriate  Provide feedback to all parties involved on the progress of the study We are looking for a highly motivated research nurse who can interact with the clinical teams and administrators.

The post holder will be required to ensure that the study is conducted according to current national law; local guidelines and procedures; following the principles of good clinical practice (GCP).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Management

 To assist in the development and maintenance of robust communication strategies with appropriate stakeholders.  To assist in the coordination and day to day management of the study.  Maintain appropriate standards for administration, recording and storage of all study documentation.

Communication

 To act as a primary point of contact for investigators in the study.  Establish and maintain good communications between health care professionals and administrators.  Disseminate data to the various stake holders involved in the study.

Professional

 Practice in accordance with the NMC or other professional body’s code of professional conduct.  Remain up to date professionally as outlined by the NMC or other professional body.  Adhere to Trust and Directorate policies, procedures, standards and protocols; the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act.

Research

 To assist with all audits and inspections as required by regulatory bodies.  Maintain files of protocols and consent forms.  Be accountable for the documentation of study data according to GCP guidelines.  Assist in the development and maintenance of databases as appropriate.  Ensure report forms are completed in conformance with GCP guidelines and within appropriate time guidelines.

Professional Development

 Demonstrate self-direction in facilitating continuing education and acquiring related experience.  Maintain own professional development in conjunction with the objectives of the Service and those identified at Performance and Development Review. General

 To take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure.  To comply with Trust’s policies for personal and patient safety and for prevention of healthcare- associated infection; this includes a requirement for rigorous and consistent compliance with Trust policies for hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps.  To be aware of and adhere to all College’s policies and procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act.  To maintain confidentiality at all times.

 Staff will also be expected to abide by the relevant code of professional practice relating to their discipline.

As this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a satisfactory (standard/enhanced/enhanced for regulated activity) Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required for the successful candidate. Further information about the DBS disclosure process can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs/ or by telephoning 0870 90 90 811. You may also wish to view the College’s policy statements on the Recruitment and Employment of Ex-Offenders and the Secure Storage, Use, Retention & Disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure Information.

To observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data Protection, Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety, Imperial Expectations (for new leaders, managers and supervisors), Information Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and Smoking. To undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities page (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).

Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

 Registered Nurse or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

 Proven post registration/qualification experience  Experience of explaining complex concepts to patients in a clear and simplified manner  Proven effectiveness as working as part of a multidisciplinary team  Proven evidence of professional development  Demonstrable understanding of the importance of audit/quality

Desirable

 Specialist knowledge in HTA  Knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines  Previous research/project experience  Knowledge of ethics in relation to research processes  Understanding of informed consent  Experience working as a preceptor/facilitator

Skills and Abilities

Essential

 Ability to encourage others to participate in research  Ability to facilitate collaborative working relationships  Ability to work under own initiative  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written  Excellent organisational/time management skills  Ability to prioritise own workload  Proven ability to work effectively under pressure  Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team  Ability to take charge and delegate duties  Accurate document presentation and attention to detail  Computer literate

Personal Attributes

 Enthusiastic and self motivated with a keen interest in the clinical area  Good persuasive and motivational skills  Assertive and confident  Diplomatic  Willingness to work flexible hours on occasion Application Guidance

Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your application, how much you feel you meet each of the criteria. If you need more space, please attach additional sheets to the application form.

The recruitment monitoring section of your application will be detached and will be used only for monitoring and audit purposes as a basis for supporting our commitment to Equal Opportunities.

An application form and full CV quoting reference number HM2013024 should be sent online via the Imperial College iRecruitment website.

Short listed candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date.

Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.