Head Research Nurse

Provide on-going professional leadership and management for research delivery teams at UHSussex Responsible for management of the UHSussex R&I staffing departmental budget and staff establishment control, including ensuring appropriate allocation of financial resources. Ensure that expenditure is monitored against budget and maintain financial control. Responsible for ensuring that research & clinical workforce meet the Trusts obligations in compliance with ICH Good Clinical Practice in Research (GCP) and other legislation as relevant. Responsible for meeting the Trusts obligations in compliance with external audits and regulatory inspections by relevant bodies. Responsible for making recommendations, providing advice and able to prepare strategic reports/briefings for the Head of Department, steering/reference groups and others as required. Contribute to the Trust-wide strategic planning of research, identifying potential impacts on wider organisation, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary. Ensuring delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives including key performance indicators such as delivering recruitment and retention targets. Together with the Heads of Department, be responsible for ensuring the safe and effective conduct of clinical research according to best practice, national directives and legislation. Provide leadership to non-research clinical staff engaged in research to provide an assurance framework, which minimises the risk to patients and meets the requirement of the Department of Health Research Governance Framework and all other regulatory requirements. Lead on the development of new clinical procedures needed to deliver research protocols development and update of policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) as required. Budget holder and signatory; will authorise expenditure and be responsible for selecting suppliers of out-sourced research services or authorising such purchases, taking into account cost, quality, delivery time and reliability. In addition, the postholder will need to negotiate costings with commercial sponsors in conjunction with study delivery teams Maintain records of all audit and monitoring and of corrective action taken and to report findings as relevant. Together with the Deputy Head of Research (Quality & Safety) and Head Research Nurse, lead on the preparation for inspections and reviews by regulatory bodies including the MHRA and sponsors. Provide expert support and advice to clinical staff on the design and delivery of research services within their units in order to meet statutory, regulatory and Trust research quality standards. Foster strategic links with NHS, primary care, academic institutions, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The post holder will require specialist knowledge commercial contract research and the needs of the industry Maintaining strategic relationships with partners to ensure UHSussex is considered for new studies. Additionally, horizon scanning across various systems (EOI tools, ODP etc) to ensure the Trust is considering feasibility of running studies at an early stage. Co-ordinate national and international multicentre research studies, including large complex pharmaceutical clinical trials, which utilise the UHSussex staff and facilities. Initiate and develop robust systems and proportionate risk assessment and governance processes for the management of commercial research in community settings. Jointly responsible with the Head of Nursing to develop the workforce plan required to support the hub and spoke delivery model, fostering an agile workforce. Responsible for all aspects of team/departmental staff management, including staff development, appraisal, performance management, identification of training requirements, managing sickness absence and the grievance and disciplinary procedures. To support, motivate and develop staff within the team. To manage a team and drive delivery of a range of initiatives and projects. Influence, support, co-ordinate and take the initiative to obtain co-operation or agreement to alter ways of working, particularly where the need for change cannot easily be identified for example as a result of subtle changes to GCP and research governance processes. Provide leadership and standards of best practice, promoting ethical and professional practice within a multi-disciplinary network. Plan for development within UHSussex research delivery teams including identifying when new posts are required to support and expand the Trusts portfolio. Provide expert advice and leadership for the day-to-day management of research protocols, supporting clinical researchers in the implementation of their studies. Responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of patient care maintained during participation in research. With the Head of Nursing, manage the research delivery teams strategy to support effective patient care, Ensure the necessary supervision of research delivery teams and students is in place to enable compliance with UHSussex and NMC policies and code of conduct. Uphold standards of care that are consistent with recommended standards for a range of patients/volunteers including adult, maternity and childrens services.