RN Research Coordinator - TMCH Cancer Center

SUMMARY:

Oversees, coordinates, develops, and manages the day-to-day clinical activities for specified research trials in accordance with the research parameters established by the Principal Investigator (PI). The  RN Research Coordinator promotes good clinical practices in the conduct of investigations by possessing an in-depth knowledge of federal regulations and guidance documents for the conduct of clinical trials and human subject protection. The Research Coordinator assures compliance with protocol and regulatory requirements, by collecting, recording, and maintaining data and source documentation. The RN Coordinator will work closely with the PI’s, department members, study sponsors, and the institution, to support administration of the compliance, financial, personnel and other related aspects of all ongoing clinical studies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides leadership, direction, and oversight in developing policies and procedures, which support organizational goals and objectives related to the research program.
• Facilitate and coordinate daily clinical activities; the position plays a critical role in the conduct of all studies.
• Collaborates with the investigator to ascertain study patient eligibility for a clinical trial, including documentation of criteria specified in the protocol.
• Participates in monitoring, audit activities, SIVs, conference calls, interim assessments, protocol meetings, and email/written business correspondence. Ensures that the conduction of assigned studies is in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, Federal regulations, and institutional policies.
• Educates the patient and family regarding protocol participation, clinical condition and/or disease process.  Provides patient education regarding required study procedures.
• Assesses individual patients for physical, psychosocial, and financial factors that could impact adherence with study requirements and implement interventions as necessary. Ensures evidence-based symptom management as permitted by the protocol.
• Act as liaison between PI’s, ancillary departments, research subjects, sponsoring organizations and regulating bodies, vendors, brokers, and suppliers of products and services.
• Provides technical guidance regarding interpretation of state, federal benefits legislation, ensures organizational compliance, and submits regulatory reports as required.
• With program participants, conduct interviews, schedule participant appointments, administer surveys for research purposes, collect and aggregate data, and act as patient liaison for the PI.
• Monitors and analyzes current industry trends and issues for potential organizational impact.
• Serve as a member of the research team.
• Assist in the development of the research program and future research studies.
• Aid in the development of Standards of Practice Manual (including flow charts). Maintains required documentation including subject logs, various records, reports, study agreements, research protocols, and contracts.
• Develops contingency plans and responds to unforeseen circumstances utilizing planned resources.
• Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies, and standards.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:  Graduation from a qualified, nationally accredited nursing program. Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.

EXPERIENCE:  Three (3) years of RN experience required.  Acute care setting or infusion experience preferred. 

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION:  Current RN licensure permitting work in the State of Arizona and Basic Life Support (BLS) required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Must be a critical thinker, prioritize, and be “appropriately assertive” and able to communicate with the physician regarding study requirements, need for dose modification, and adverse event reporting.
• Communication Skills: Serves as the primary liaison with internal departments and demonstrates strong verbal and written communication abilities. Effectively conveys and synthesizes complex clinical information, ensuring it is understandable and meaningful to patients and their families.
• Document Management Skills: comfortable editing in Microsoft Word, basic reporting in Excel, converting PDFs or Word Documents in Adobe. Comfortable with PowerPoint to provide education with other Nurses. MS Office, Teams, and SharePoint. Experience with computer data entry and database management.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures such as protocols, informed consent documents, and regulatory documents.
• Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.
• Must be proactive, highly organized and able to multi-task, and have the ability to work independently, organize, prioritize and follow through with results. 
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills and able to effectively present information.   Above-average skill in the use of all Microsoft Office applications (ex: Excel, PowerPoint, etc required; familiarity with spreadsheets and statistical data is necessary (as will be related to quality improvement and tracking projects).
• Knowledge of nursing care and assessment best practices as well as related clinical components.
• Knowledge of regulations and policies as it relates to patient research, evaluation, care and information.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to work with concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, and to apply mathematical operations to solve or analyze job-related situations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure protocols.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries or complaints from patients and/or their representatives, and the general public.
• Ability to identify positive or negative variances from expected outcomes.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and adjust approaches as needed. Demonstrated compassion, integrity, and ability to work with a wide range of disciplines.
• Ability to be sympathetic, culturally sensitive, and emotionally supportive to the patient/family throughout the care continuum.
• Must maintain a positive and professional attitude through stressful situations. 
• Must be able to work in a self-directed environment, with an ability to work with teams.
• Excellent presentation skills: ability to implement professional and community-based education programs.