Clinical Lead Research Nurse (Abramson Cancer Center)

The Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) of the University of Pennsylvania is a world leader in developing and conducting innovative clinical trials for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. The ACC Clinical Research Unit (CRU) supports disease/discipline-specific cancer programs within the ACC. This full-time Lead Clinical Research Nurse will join the Clinical and Translational Research Program for Lymphomas and Other Related Diseases in the ACC CRU, ensuring the accurate execution of research protocols in accordance with Good Clinical Practices, HIPAA, and other federal/institutional requirements while meeting obligations to patients, Principal Investigators, study teams, and sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Manager with feasibility and start-up tasks for industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials; participate in feasibility meetings and site selection visits; proactively review protocols and associated manuals; complete required clinical start-up documents; pursue corrections/clarifications as needed.
• Work closely with the Program Manager to recruit, interview, train, and develop full-time, part-time, and temporary staff; provide mentorship and supervision of research personnel.
• Assist in developing tools and organizational workflows, including standard operating procedures and guidelines for research personnel.
• Organize regular focus groups with research staff to foster continual learning and promote growth within the program.
• Conduct regular meetings with team members to review study statuses, outstanding items, or issues requiring additional guidance or troubleshooting.
• Independently coordinate all aspects of complex Phase I-IV oncology clinical trials; provide in-service and support to infusion, CHPS, or inpatient staff; participate in study- and patient-related discussions outside of usual work hours.
• Demonstrate knowledge of patient care related to hematologic malignancies, treatment, medication side effects, and short- and long-term complications.
• Act as a point-of-contact for triage, laboratory, clinic, infusion, radiology, advanced practitioners, inpatient, billing, and pharmacy when the Program Manager or research staff are unavailable or when issues require escalation.
• Serve as a point of contact for evenings, weekends, and University holidays for clinical questions or research admissions.
• Contribute to study-related meetings (e.g., SIVs, IMVs, COVs, internal audits); participate in Sponsor/CRO teleconferences; share updates/issues with study team members; mentor and support other nurses to meet staffing needs.
• Troubleshoot operational issues daily and assist with all aspects of research during absences or when workloads exceed capacity.
• Represent the Lymphoma Clinical Research Program when meeting with Medical Science Liaisons, research collaborators, and prospective donors; coordinate program development plans with Physician Leaders and the Program Manager.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, national meetings, reviewing professional publications, and benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; ensure colleagues are updated on relevant issues.
• Provide clinic support to Lymphoma Program Investigators as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Registered nurse with licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• 5 years of nursing experience, including 2-3 years of clinical research experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or a related discipline (highly preferred).
• Oncology experience (either nursing or clinical research) (highly preferred).
• Experience managing staff and the ability to support faculty with tact, confidentiality, and judgment.

Position contingent upon funding.

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits; flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition Assistance: Exceptional tuition benefits for you, your spouse, and dependent children at Penn and other institutions.
• Retirement Plans: Generous retirement plans allowing pre-tax or Roth savings through TIAA and Vanguard with a variety of investment options.
• Time Away from Work: Substantial paid time off for vacations, personal affairs, illness, or injury.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Coverage for long-term care services at home, in the community, or in a nursing facility through Genworth Financial (no proof of good health required for new hires).
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Programs and resources to support health, family, and work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Resources to advance personally and professionally.
• University Resources: Access to libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, cultural and recreational activities (many free or discounted for employees and families).
• Discounts and Special Services: Savings on arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, cellular phone plans, movie tickets, theme parks, and new cars from Ford and General Motors.
• Flexible Work Hours: Creative approaches to work hours, locations, and job structures to promote work-life balance.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Forgivable loans for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia (for closing costs or home improvements).
• Adoption Assistance: Reimbursement for qualified expenses related to the legal adoption of an eligible child (up to two adoptions per household).

Pay

Annual salary range: $74,476.00 - $105,614.00. Offers are made based on candidate qualifications, experience, skills, education, internal and market factors, and grade profile.

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Perelman School of Medicine).