The main purpose of the Research Nurse/Clinical Studies Officer (RN/CSO) is to achieve maximum recruitment, patient compliance, and produce high quality data in accordance with protocols and guidelines. The role combines an interesting and challenging mix of quality patient contact and research activities. It presents an excellent opportunity for both job satisfaction and career development.

The main duty of the research nurse entails the day-to-day running of a portfolio of clinical trials. This involves:

• Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with all groups of staff involved directly or indirectly with clinical research.
• Attending multi–disciplinary meetings, an appropriate clinics, to screen and recruit new participation, and to act as a resource to members of the MDT.
• The screening of patients’ data to identify potential patients for trials.
• Contributing to the informed consent process and recruitment of suitable patients.
• Providing information regarding trial procedures and follow–up throughout the trial.
• Co–ordinating arrangements required for patients undergoing specialist investigations, consistent with protocol guidelines.
• Performing trial required procedures as per trial/study protocol.
• Monitoring and ensuring participants wellbeing.
• Reporting and recording any adverse events and/or serious adverse events that occur whilst the patient is in the clinical trial/study.
• To refer to other specialists as required in order to provide optimal care of the trial participant.
• Collecting and accurately recording comprehensive data with meticulous attention to detail.
• Identifying barriers to recruitment.

Although working as part of a multi–disciplinary team, a large percentage of the RN/CSO’s time is spent working independently. This requires the research nurse to be self–motivated, capable of coping under pressure and to have the aptitude to priorities workload and work with competing demands and deadlines with proven excellent organisational skills.

The portfolio of trials within our Network is ever changing. Consequently, the RN/CSO needs to be able to cope with change and enjoy regularly meeting new challenges. There is also a need for commitment of professional development with regular attendance on UKCRN and other research related study days and national trial meetings. This can involve travel to London and sometime further afield, including occasional trips abroad. Furthermore, with South Coast DeNDRoN there is a need to be both flexible and resourceful as it may be necessary to cover colleagues in their absence, including travelling to different hospitals throughout the Network.