Job Description

The Lead Nurse (Research) has a key management and leadership role in clinical governance and leadership of the research nurses and clinical trials assistants. The post holder will: Combine their leadership with the delivery of our clinical research portfolio to ensure safe and effective research practice within the organisation. Work to further develop the Research Office and its staff to support all strands of the service's ambitions, including developing and monitoring governance frameworks. Work with the Clinical Lead and Research Service Manager will actively horizon scan for both academic and commercial study opportunities.



They will ensure all studies are delivered to an outstanding level, integrating research into clinical care, developing the personnel to the highest of standards, and growing the capacity and capabilities of the primary care research team. Will be responsible for leading the delivery of high-quality research and excellent patient experience, through proactive clinical and professional leadership, and building collaborations. Provide excellent management, support, and professional development for all research staff in the service to promote recruitment and retention of skilled and motivated staff and achieve excellent performance in research studies. The role will have no budgetary responsibility; however, will be expected to contribute to innovative solutions to workforce and capacity management.



Main Duties and Responsibilities As a Lead Nurse for Research, your main duties will include: 1. Research and Patient Care Ensure that delivery of studies meets targets/KPIs including identifying and sourcing appropriate /resources Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of different research designs and methodologies and the regulatory and legal frameworks related to clinical research studies. Provide comprehensive advice and guidance on matters relating to protocol design, research ethics and governance. Lead in planning, conducting, and supervising research.



Overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the research nurses. Take the lead on developing and updating SOPs and research processes within the designated area Ensure that local policies, procedures, and best practices are followed by all members of the research team. Ensure that Good Clinical Practice & research governance standards for clinical research studies are adhered to and maintained. Develop and implement strategies to overcome barriers of recruitment to studies and ensure each study has an efficient and effective delivery plan in place, running smoothly.



Take an active and leading role in local and national forums and networks related to clinical research. Lead on a supportive internal audit programme for research studies to ensure compliance with scientific protocols, regulatory standards, and to maintain a high quality of delivering clinical research. Manage the implementation of preventative and corrective action plans arising from research audits or inspections, and in the conduct of regular informal (supportive) study spot checks to ensure regulatory standards are met. Organise/attend site selection meetings, site initiation meetings, and other relevant meetings, and capitalise on opportunities to increase the trials' success as well as build relationships and market the team/units services to sponsor contacts.



Ensure that the clinical study protocols and related study SOPs the team is working on are adhered to and that research does not deviate from them. Autonomously manage your own caseload of research studies/patients as appropriate, to maintain your clinical and research skills. Ensure the studies are run to excellent standards, including providing accurate study data in a timely manner. Manage patients/participants' pathways while they are on research studies.



Ensure the safe administration of treatments and drugs that are given within the context of a clinical research study. Build collaborative links across the Sheffield and South Yorkshire with other research clusters/units/teams/staff, taking the lead on research initiatives, projects, or programmes of work, and building the positive research culture at PCS. Promote the continued development of research awareness, research competence, and scholastic activity (e.g., writing for publishing, critical appraisal, and presenting at conferences) in the application of research into nursing practice. 2.Staff management and development Provide line management for research nursing staff and lead on developing job descriptions, recruitment, induction, appraisal, training and development and retention of research staff.



Assist the Service Manager in managing sickness and absence, disciplinary and performance issues that may arise. Comply with PCS staff management policies and procedures Develop and implement an innovative, outstanding research training and development programme to grow the capacity and capability of the Service staff, maximising staff retention and education. Ensure that regular training needs analysis for staff are undertaken, with signposting to appropriate opportunities and development and delivery of training to support patient safety and expert practice. Recognise and respond to factors which impinge upon staff morale, delivery of research and standards of care.



Investigate and influence the potential for establishing new initiatives and roles for Research Nurses, and to contribute to their development, liaising with stakeholders to create innovative opportunities. Assist the Clinical Lead to support, signpost and facilitate opportunities for research staff to develop their own research. Ensure that staff are deployed in a cost-effective way and that controls are in place to meet key workforce performance indicators on sickness absence reduction and staff retention. Contribute to the effective management of research budgets Lead by example and act as a positive role model for all staff, taking responsibility for your own professional development.



Ensure appropriate mentors are available for research staff. 3. Financial Management Assist the Service Manager in identifying research activity for invoicing Assist the Service Manager in the financial scrutiny of new studies 4. Operational and Business Management Day-to-day management of the research nurses and work plans.



Provide operational leadership for research, ensuring there is a clear framework for the delivery of high-quality care and clinical research and that best practice is maintained at all times. Liaise with external agencies and internal departments to promote and facilitate the establishment of new research studies and/ or services. Develop and implement local strategies to increase the number of commercial trials open as well as the total number of patients recruited to commercial trials. Support the development and submission of research grant applications to both commercial and non-commercial funders to grow our home-grown study portfolio.



Good Clinical Practice, Research and Clinical Governance, Health and Safety, Data Protection, Infection Control, and Ethics Prepare and deliver reports as requested. Liaise and develop excellent working relationships with stakeholders to ensure issues are resolved in a timely manner. As part of the research office and in partnership with the Clinical Lead and Service Manager, organise, lead on, and attend relevant Research Committees and forums, making recommendations on the feasibility of studies, including the level and type of resource your delivery team can provide/is required, and the financial arrangements Prepare and present data, papers, and presentations General The post holder will: Provide management cover within the Research team. Coordinate the resolution of complaints, conflicts, and issues from patients and/or staff in a timely manner in line with PCS policies To be actively involved in the development and implementation of PCS policies and procedures at the department level and reinforce their use Ensure that standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all those who come in contact with the service provided by Primary Care Sheffield.



Maintain patient/participant confidentiality at all times. Ensure that the views of consumers are effectively sought, channelled and acted upon, including the efficient actioning of the complaints procedure in accordance with the PCS policy in conjunction with the Service Manager and Clinical Lead Develop a culture that promotes equality and values diversity. The postholder must be aware of and committed to the Equality and Diversity policies of Primary Care Sheffield (as the employing organisation), comply with all the requirements of these policies and also actively promote Equality and Diversity issues relevant to the post. Ensure the principles of openness, transparency and candour are observed and upheld in all working practices.



The post holder will have, or acquire through training provided by the organisation, the appropriate level of safeguarding and knowledge, skills and practice required for the post and be aware of and comply with the organisations safeguarding protection policies and procedures. Ensure that any infection prevention and control issues are reported to the line manager/Infection Prevention and Control This job description should not be regarded as definitive. It is intended to provide the post-holder with a broad outline of their function. The post-holder may be required to undertake any other duties reasonably falling within the grade of this post.