Research Nurse/Midwife/Physiotherapist

This role is for an experienced Research Nurse, Midwife or Physiotherapist with ICU experience and an interest in post-ICU rehabilitation. Directed by the Chief Investigator, Sarah Vollam, and Co-investigators in the Critical Care Research Group based in the Kadoorie Centre, the post holder will be involved with all aspects of clinical research delivery for the PROgnosiS Prediction after Enhanced or CriTical care (PROSPECT) study and other BRC-funded research projects. This will include:

• Screening and recruitment of study participants
• Data collection and participant follow-up
• Trial Master File administration and research training

The post holder will also be supported to develop academic skills, including:

• Research design
• Qualitative interviewing and analysis
• Paper writing
• Dissemination and Patient and Public Involvement

The post holder will be able to work both collaboratively and independently to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable throughout all clinical study processes; and to ensure the study is managed in accordance with ‘Good Clinical Practice’ and ‘Research Governance’.

The primary roles of the post include:

• Screening and recruiting research participants into the PROSPECT study and other BRC-funded studies
• Providing support and information to participants involved in the research study
• Organising follow-up for research participants, including interviews
• Recording research data and documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• Embedding a culture of research participation in the clinical areas where the studies are based, working with clinical staff to ensure the integration of research activity into routine clinical care
• Acting as a liaison between clinical and research teams to facilitate Good Clinical Practice
• Reporting problems and issues with the research study to the appropriate person in a timely manner, and identifying solutions
• Conducting and reporting systematic reviews
• Conducting and analysing qualitative research
• Writing papers for peer-reviewed journals
• Presenting research results at conferences

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards, and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues, and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement, and excellence.
These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family.

In 2023, NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles.
Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.
If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Key working relationships

The post holder will work closely with:

• Patients and carers
• Research staff at the University of Oxford
• Research staff within the OUHFT
• Ward and clinic staff at the OUHFT
• Chief and Principal Investigators, external research staff, and administrators, and study sponsors
• OUHFT Research and Development Office

Knowledge, Training, and Education

The post holder will:

• Acquire detailed knowledge of the study on which they are working
• Acquire a clear understanding of the study and will be able to provide a brief explanation of the research to clinicians and patients, and know where to find more information
• Be a positive role model in promoting the research profile with staff, patients, and the public
• Attend meetings locally and nationally to acquire the necessary training for specific research activities, as required
• Maintain awareness of current relevant treatments and advances, and use this knowledge to maintain the highest standard of evidence-based care for patients with illnesses relating to the research activity
• Maintain awareness of the current clinical pathway, audits, and issues affecting patient care, and use this to identify any issues which could influence the conduct of the research study
• Access medical records for research purposes
• Conduct a thorough literature search relevant to the research project and review the evidence to inform the study.
• With support, conduct qualitative interviews and analyse qualitative data
• With support, write papers reporting study results for peer-reviewed journals
• Undergo required training including Good Clinical Practice (GCP) equivalent, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) data collection techniques, and analysis.

Clinical Responsibility

The post holder will be required to:

• Provide patients/family members with comprehensive complex information in an easily understandable way concerning clinical research to facilitate the process of informed consent/consultee opinion. This may include utilising translation and interpretation services and will require tact and careful judgement of understanding.
• Ensure that all patients are fully informed of the standard management as well as the research activity, the structure of the research, and the potential risks, benefits, and side effects.
• Be sensitive to the emotional needs of patients and their relatives, using tact and making judgments about the appropriateness of approach for research projects.
• Provide support and advice to patients, relatives, and staff before, during, and after research activity, appreciating that they may need to understand further.
• Ensure that patients are assured of the voluntary nature of any research participation and their right to refuse or withdraw at any point in the study.
• Act as a patient advocate.
• Co-ordinate study procedures to maximise patient comfort and wellbeing, communicating clearly with the necessary parties as required.
• Collect data from medical records and complete Case Report Forms (CRFs) as required.
• Work within the multi-disciplinary team, promoting individualised care for patients.
• Maintain a confidential register of patients willing to be contacted in the future about research studies.
• Ensure members of the research team fulfil study requirements in accordance with the research protocol and Good Clinical Practice.
• Assist with the administration of the study and storage of relevant documents.
• Prepare reports for the funders, papers for publication, and present findings at a variety of meetings and conferences.
• Visit clinical ward areas to place wearable monitoring on patients, which may require occasional exposure to unpleasant conditions related to patient contact (e.g. contact with soiled wound dressings, etc.).

Leadership and Management

The post holder will be required to:

• Liaise with designated staff within departments to ensure the smooth running of the research study.
• Record and report to all pertinent authorities any serious adverse events that occur while patients are involved in research activity.
• Lead the interviewing arm of the study, including conducting qualitative interviews which require processing of complex data, considering responses during the interviews and formulating follow-up questions, and complex analysis of the data requiring frequent periods of prolonged concentration.
• Follow standard operating procedures to signpost interview participants to support if they become upset or distressed during interviews.
• Work at all times to regulations described in ICH, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and to the current research governance regulations in the OUH trust.
• Liaise with external investigators as necessary.
• Work with the R and D staff as appropriate.
• Present findings at a variety of meetings and conferences.
• Liaise with PPI representatives.