The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Job overview

This is a key role within the Research, Development & Innovation department, supporting the safe, effective sand high quality delivery of clinical trials across the Trust. Research is recognised as core business at PAHT and this post contributes directly to enabling patients and carers to access research opportunities as part of routine clinical care.

The postholder will work as part of a flexible, Trust wide research delivery team, supporting a portfolio of commercial and non-commercial studies, across a range of specialities. The role requires close collaboration with Principal Investigators, clinical teams, sponsors, monitors, the Lead Research Nurse, RD&I colleagues, and the East of England Regional Research Delivery Network. The post will involve working across different Trust sites as/when required.

The postholder will be responsible for identifying and screening suitable patients against specific study inclusion/exclusion criteria, supporting the informed consent process and acting as a key point of contact for participants throughout their trial involvement. The role includes assessing, educating, monitoring and supporting patients and carers, while ensuring that care is delivered in line with study protocols, Trust policies and professional nursing standards.

A key part of the post is the day to day co-ordination of clinical trial activity, including undertaking protocol specific activities such as observations, venepuncture, ECG's, height and weight measurements and where appropriate, trial treatment administration. The postholder will maintain accurate source documentation and study records, report adverse events and serious adverse events within required timelines, support trial site file maintenance, contribute to feasibility activity and ensure recruitment records are complete and up to date.

The role requires a sound understanding of Good Clinical Practice, research governance, local standard operating procedures, confidentiality, data quality and patient safety. The postholder will be expected to work in accordance with the NMC code of practice and contribute to the high standards of the research departments through effective teamwork, self management and attention to detail.

The post is suited to a motivated registered nurse with at least two years post registration experience who is interested in developing or applying their research delivery skills in a dynamic NHS environment. Current or previous research experience and GCP training is desirable, although the successful candidate will be supported to develop the knowledge and confidence required to deliver research safely and effectively.

The role contributes to the wider organisation by helping to embed research as part of everyday clinical practice and supporting PAHT's ambition to improve patient outcomes, experience and access to innovative care. By delivering clinical research studies efficiently and to a high standard, the post supports Trust wide research performance, strengthens relationships with clinical specialties and external partners, and contributes to the Trust's reputation as an organisation that actively supports research, innovation and continuous improvement. The post also supports organisational sustainability by contributing to research activity, income generation, workforce development and the delivery of high quality, evidence based care across services.

The successful candidate will demonstrate PAHT's values of Patient at Heart, Everyday Excellence and Creative Collaboration by placing patients and carers at the centre of research delivery, maintaining high standards of clinical and research practice, and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to improve access to safe, ethical and high quality clinical research.

Main duties of the job

Delivery of clinical trials and research studies across PAHT
Screening, recruitment and supporting the informed consent process
Participant care, safety and experience
Study visit coordination and performing protocol specific assessments
Completion of source documentation, case report forms and audit ready records
Safety reporting for adverse events and serious adverse events
Collaborative working with PI's, clinical teams, trial Sponsors and external partners
Contributing to recruitment targets and NIHR study set-up and delivery metrics

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This is a Trust-wide role requiring flexibility to support research activity across multiple specialties and hospital sites. The post holder will work within the East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (EoE RRDN), which forms part of the NIHR Research Delivery Network and supports the delivery of health and care research across England. The role involves assessing and managing patients participating in clinical studies, recruiting and educating participants, monitoring their progress, collecting accurate data, and working closely with research teams and multidisciplinary colleagues. The post holder is expected to maintain a thorough understanding of study protocols and ensure compliance with local, national and international research regulations.

The Clinical Trials Research Nurse will identify eligible patients for research studies using study-specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and will manage an individual caseload of research participants. The role includes attending multidisciplinary team meetings and clinical sessions to support screening and recruitment activities while providing specialist research advice to clinical colleagues. The post holder will maintain accurate clinical records and undertake both routine and protocol-specific assessments, including venepuncture, ECGs, vital signs monitoring, drug administration and other study-related procedures. Responsibilities also include reporting adverse events within required timelines, coordinating the day-to-day care of research participants, managing study data in accordance with approved protocols, and acting as a key point of contact for patients throughout their participation in research.

The post holder will contribute to the management and delivery of the local clinical research portfolio, ensuring that all studies are conducted in accordance with approved protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards and research governance requirements. They will support the informed consent process by providing clear and comprehensive information to potential participants, enabling them to make informed decisions about research participation. The role involves working closely with sponsors, Clinical Research Associates, monitors and other stakeholders, providing study progress information as required. Responsibilities include maintaining Trial Master Files, managing study documentation, identifying and addressing recruitment challenges, supporting colleagues during periods of absence, completing feasibility assessments and expressions of interest, contributing to resource planning, maintaining accurate recruitment data and ensuring completed studies are archived appropriately in accordance with local requirements.

The Clinical Trials Research Nurse must ensure that study-specific systems and technology are suitable for local use and that all equipment required for research activity is appropriately calibrated and complies with study and local standards. The post holder is responsible for completing all relevant training before using any study-specific technology or equipment.

The post holder will work in accordance with Trust policies, procedures and the NMC Code, maintaining high standards of patient care and safety at all times. They will contribute to the continuous improvement of services across the Trust, uphold patient confidentiality, and ensure that patient and public feedback is appropriately sought, escalated and acted upon. The role also includes supporting complaints processes in accordance with Trust policy.

The role requires effective use of information technology and standard office equipment, alongside a high level of accuracy in documentation and data management. The post holder must be able to travel between Trust sites and may occasionally undertake home visits where required by study protocols. The position demands sustained concentration, the ability to manage competing priorities and resilience in responding to interruptions and changing workloads.

The post holder will regularly encounter situations requiring tact, diplomacy and emotional resilience. They must be able to respond professionally and sensitively to complex or emotionally demanding circumstances that may arise during the course of their duties.

* Post may close is maximum candidates reached *