Research Nurse III, Obstetrician - Gynecologist Research Support Unit (Galveston)

Minimum Qualifications

• Registered Nurse plus five years of professional nursing experience in direct patient care or research in approved specialty area.
• Licensed by the State of Texas to practice as a Registered Nurse.

Preferred Qualifications

• Oncology research experience.
• Good written and verbal English skills and Spanish language skills are preferred.

About the Role

Coordinates and provides advanced professional nursing skills on complex research projects in a unit, clinic, or hospital involving patient related research efforts. Responsibilities include assessing, developing, implementing and evaluation a plan of nursing care in a research unit using advanced professional nursing skills requiring specialized training or experience. This job requires travel to see patients and work in other clinics.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates complex research projects that involve the supervision of research activities.
• Screens patients for protocol eligibility and participation in clinical trials.
• Participates in the coordination and monitoring of patient treatment and dispensing of study medication.
• Monitors and evaluates patient response to protocol treatment in collaboration with the physician.
• Works closely with PI, other healthcare professionals, and potential families of subjects to insure the standards of good clinical practice, IRB requirements, and state-federal regulations are being observed.
• Participates in decision making of research practice, in study design, IRB protocol submission and maintenance.
• Performs chart reviews and analyzes data when authorized by Investigators following HIPAA guidelines.
• Enters and maintains data into database.
• Assists in preparing and entering IRB protocols and proposals and monitors compliance of human subjects.
• Educates patients and assists in obtaining informed consent.
• Schedules study visits and meetings related to studies.
• Maintains education on trials and updates Investigators.
• Performs procedures related to study requirements.
• May perform the following:
  • Developing the clinical trial agreement;
  • Answering IRB stipulations to obtain final approval; documents IRB approval and contract approval.
  • Planning and design of source documents for protocol; coordinates study initiation;
  • Organizes and facilitates PI in obtaining Informed Consent from study participants and documents appropriately.
  • Completion of an initial patient assessment utilizing interview, observation, and examination.
  • Performing competent physical, pathophysiological, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, learning needs, and/or age-appropriate nursing assessment of participants.
  • Conducting in-service to floor nurses and physicians; serves as a resource to staff.
  • Identifying areas of health promotion and patient and family educational needs regarding treatment and follow-up on specific clinical research.
  • Prepare regulatory documents to be sent to the Sponsor; under direction of PI may draft various communications with Sponsor.
  • Assist the physician in protocol analysis, using computer statistical/data management packages or present data from clinical trials in publication and/or formal oral presentations.
  • Collaborate with the physician and/or protocol sponsor regarding protocol design, implementation and evaluation.
  • Provides training and guidance to research nurses and other research personnel and serves as a resource to staff.
  • Plans and participates in orientation, peer review and staff development programs.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Ensuring the return of test article/clinical supplies; reconciling study drug accountability; assisting in processing and shipping lab specimens efficiently and cost-effectively; maintaining supply inventory and equipment.

Skills

• Competent use of equipment and related supplies; and use of mechanical devices for healthcare monitoring of the patient subject.
• Basic PC skills, including word processing, report writing & e-mail skills.
• Good written and verbal English skills.
• Developing good organizational and time management skills.
• Spanish language skills may be a plus.

Working Environment

• Work environment is located in a comfortable indoor area. Conditions such as noise, odors, cramped work space and/or fumes could sometimes cause discomfort.
• Moderate to extreme physical effort may be required such as walking, standing and lifting materials, equipment, objects, and/or patients. Occasional lifting may be heavy and awkward, over 50 lbs.
• Vision, hearing, talking, and sense of touch abilities must be adequate to enable one to quickly and accurately perform tasks such as: reading small print, reading from monitoring equipment, defining details, sending and receiving clear and accurate verbal communication.
• Frequent periods of concentrated or focused attention will be needed to interpret visual, auditory, and sensory inputs.
• Alternate shift work and/or on call status may be required.
• Alertness and careful attention to detail will be required to avoid injury.
• May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, radiation, chemotherapeutic agents, and disoriented or combative patients.