Research Nurse - Sexual Health & HIV
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced full-time band 6 Research Nurse to join the Research Team in Axess Sexual Health. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic Research Nurse with clinical research experience. They will be primarily based within the Liverpool Axess sexual health service although travel across our regional sites may be required. We are seeking to appoint someone who is highly motivated, caring and patient centred to co-ordinate and deliver trials across both the Genitourinary Medicine and HIV services.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering a portfolio of research studies, coordinating activities from set-up through to closure.
Responsibilities include participant visits, informed consent, research data collection and management, completion of eCRFs, and ensuring studies are delivered in line with protocols, regulatory requirements and ICH-GCP. The post holder will work independently to achieve recruitment, follow-up and data completion targets.
Working with investigators, clinical teams, academic collaborators and sponsors, they will support research delivery through trial visits, venepuncture and processing of clinical samples, ECGs, specimen collection and shipment, monitoring visits, and study documentation.
The service delivers commercial and non-commercial studies, including CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs, across HIV, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, genital dermatology, women's health and public health. A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is essential to ensure recruitment reflects local demographics and improves access for underrepresented groups.
The successful candidate will support patients who may experience stigma related to protected characteristics or health conditions, identify and resolve study delivery issues, work with sponsors and monitors, support study targets including time-to-target, and contribute to service development and junior staff support.
About us
NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL Group) was formed on 1 November 2024, born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our communities. We are one of the largest employers in region, with over 18,900 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services that extend to more than two million people in the North West.
We operate from five hospital sites:Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside, and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to several elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospitalprovide specialist services incardiothoracic surgery,cardiology and respiratory medicine, both in the hospital and out in the community.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year.
TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single en-suite bedrooms and mainly focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
Job responsibilities
Coordinate and deliver a portfolio of clinical research studies from study set-up through to study closure and archiving. Arrange, conduct and manage participant research visits in accordance with study protocols. Obtain informed consent from research participants and ensure ethical and regulatory compliance. Collect, record and manage research data, including completion of electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs).
Deliver research studies in line with study protocols, regulatory requirements and ICH-GCP guidelines. Work independently to achieve recruitment, participant follow-up and data completion targets within agreed timelines. Collaborate with investigators, clinical teams, academic partners, sponsors and other stakeholders to support high-quality research delivery.
Undertake participant trial procedures, including venepuncture, clinical sample collection and processing, and ECG recording. Coordinate specimen collection, handling, shipment and tracking in accordance with study requirements. Arrange, facilitate and support sponsor monitoring visits and study audits.Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date study documentation, site files and regulatory records.
Support the delivery of both commercial and non-commercial research studies, including CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs. Contribute to research studies across a range of specialities including HIV, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, genital dermatology, womens health and public health. Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in research by supporting representative participant recruitment and improving access for underrepresented groups.
Work sensitively and compassionately with patients, recognising the stigma and barriers experienced by some participant groups. Identify, escalate and resolve issues affecting study delivery, participant recruitment and retention. Liaise with sponsors and monitors to address study findings and ensure timely resolution of actions. Contribute to achieving study performance metrics, including recruitment targets and time-to-target objectives.
Support, guide and share knowledge with junior colleagues and less experienced research staff. Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the research service. Work across Axess Regional Clinic sites where necessary Education/ Qualifications/ Training Essential criteria Registered Nurse with current NMC Registration Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
Current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification Recent NHS Clinical Research Experience Experience/Skills Essential Experience of delivering clinical research studies or trials within the NHS. Experience of maintaining accurate research documentation and source data. Competence in venepuncture, ECGs and clinical sample processing. Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload across multiple studies. Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic data management systems. Desirable Experience of recruiting participants from underserved or underrepresented communities. Experience within sexual health, HIV, infectious diseases or another relevant specialty.
KNOWLEDGE Essential criteria Knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and Research Governance requirements. Understanding of clinical trial processes and research delivery pathways. Knowledge of informed consent procedures and participant safety requirements. Understanding of data protection, confidentiality and record-keeping standards. Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles in research.
Understanding of the importance of representative recruitment and equitable access to research opportunities.
Person Specification
Qualifications · Essential
RGN Current NMC registration Attendance of recent short courses and/or study days on research
Desirable
1st level degree or studying towards Research Qualifications
Experience · Essential
Demonstrable experience of patient education and counselling, e.g. providing lifestyle advice Clinical experience/qualification in venepuncture, IV cannulation Supervision of student nurses Previous experience of co-ordinating clinical research studies Experience of liaison with staff at all levels in Healthcare
Desirable
Previous experience within the research speciality Appraisal and interviewing skills
Knowledge · Essential
Knowledge of the principles and practice of clinical research and/or clinical trials Understanding of the role & responsibilities of a Clinical Research Nurse Knowledge of ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical trials, including EU Directive on ICH GCP requirements Knowledge of the Health Service, R&D, the pharmaceutical industry partnership and relevant information sciences
Skills · Essential
Ability to use a personal computer, (computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office / EDCL) Skills in administration and project management Good communication, presentational, training and interpersonal skills Ability to meet tight deadlines and cope in a highly demanding environment Ability to work independently and prioritise / own workload and to communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
Skills in handling and management of computerised data Skills required to evaluate and assist in developing new protocols Skills in the analysis and interpretation of data other
Essential
Possession of tact and sensitivity to the needs of both patients and colleagues, including a commitment to confidentiality Meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy Flexible approach to working hours
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
