The Oncology and Haematology Clinical Trials (OHCT) team manages clinical trials within Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT). The team has an excellent reputation nationally and globally in providing excellent patient care and putting their safety at the core of our practice. GSTFT value research, the work we do contributes to finding new cancer treatments and improving patient’s quality of life.
As a band 5 you will have a fantastic opportunity for training and career development within the specialty of Haematology research nursing. You will be working closely with experienced research nurses, doctors and other members of the multi-disciplinary team in caring for Haematology clinical trials patients .
The role will include identifying patients suitable for clinical trials and support them and their families throughout their participation in clinical trials.
You will require:
Substantial clinical experience
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work autonomously and have good skills in time management
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Can balance clinical work and non-clinical work as per research requirements.
Can administer trial drugs (including investigational medicinal products and systemic anti-cancer therapies-SACT) safely to trial patients, monitor and report side effects as outlined in the protocol.
The post holder will be expected to manage caseload of Haematology Trial patients and have the duty of care in supporting them and their families throughout their participation in clinical trials.
The role will include identifying suitable patients for clinical trials and work autonomously within professional practice guidelines and within Research Governance Framework. The role will include administration of SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) to Haematology Trial patients.
The post holder will also provide a full administrative service to Haematology research team. They will have a pivotal role in the running of both national and international phase I, II, and III haematology clinical trials.
Responsibilities will include the creation and maintenance of site files, creating worksheets, collection and transcribing of trial data, resolving trial queries, completing case report forms and the maintenance of a database of trial activity.
As part of Kings Health Partners, the Oncology and Haematology Clinical Trials (OHCT) team is made up of seventy plus staff members consisting of Research Nurses, Clinical Research Practitioners, Data managers, Admin support team, management team and the Safety & Support Team at Guys’ and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. We work closely with the oncology and haematology medical teams to recruit patients to our trials and to ensure patients are monitored closely throughout. We have a large portfolio of Phase I, II and III trials; which are split into teams for specific tumour groups.
We also have a team dedicated to early phase trials and run weekly early phase clinics in the Clinical Research Facility. We attract commercial and non-commercial trials, ranging from interventional drug or radiotherapy trials to observational studies.
Our mission statement is ‘Improving treatment choice, clinical care and outcomes for cancer patients through innovation, dedication and excellence in clinical trials’.
Clinical research
Work autonomously within professional practice guidelines to manage a caseload of Haematology trial patients, ensuring a duty of care and providing support to patients and their families.
Identify patients suitable for entry into clinical trials by attending Haematology clinics, screening medical notes, reviewing consultant referrals, and participating in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings.
Participate in the informed consent process acting as a resource and support to patients and their families, ensuring consent is appropriately obtained and documented.
Coordinate the research patient pathway from screening through to trial closure
Administer trial drugs (including investigational medicinal products and systemic anti-cancer therapies-SACT) safely to trial patients, monitor and report side effects as outlined in the protocol.
Advise and train the local nursing team who administer trial drugs, be aware of and report any side effects as outlined in the protocol
Maintain adequate patients’ records and ensure all relevant information is documented in the patient’s medical and nursing notes
Keep up to date with current practices for cannulation, phlebotomy, care of patients with Central Venous Access lines and handling and administration for cytotoxic chemotherapy
Act as a role model for excellence in haematology-based research
Lead on a portfolio of trials and coordinate patient participation, paying particular attention to accurate data collection and transfer and version control of essential documentation.
Liaise with the clinical team to organise and ensure that trial specific investigations are undertaken according to the protocol and obtain the results
Liaise with trial pharmacy to co-ordinate the availability and dispensing of trial drugs if required
Process blood samples according to the trial-specific lab manual and organise the storage and shipment of protocol specific samples
Work in accordance with all regulatory requirements including:
local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
European Directives
Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations
Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care
Human Tissue Act
Lead on stock control and ordering of consumables
Please review job description document for full responsibilities.
