Research Nurse - Band 5

NHS; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health trust in Cheltenham seeks a dynamic Research Nurse to join their Research Delivery Team. The successful candidate will manage care for patients involved in clinical studies related to oncology, stroke, and cardiovascular research. Responsibilities include patient recruitment, adhering to study protocols, and effective communication across multidisciplinary teams. Candidates must hold a nursing degree and be registered with the NMC. The role offers competitive remuneration and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career progression opportunities

Access to NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Discounts at local shops and restaurants

Qualifications

• Current NMC registration is required.
• Experience as a registered nurse is essential.
• Experience working across multiple clinical specialties is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, and organise care for research participants according to protocol.
• Coordinate and recruit patients for clinical studies.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary teams and maintain accurate trial records.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Well‑developed interpersonal skills

Ability to work independently

Flexibility in working hours

Clinical skills: venepuncture

Clinical skills: specimen collection

Clinical observations

Education

First level nursing degree/qualification

Job description

Research Nurse - Band 5

The closing date is 28 December 2025

We are looking for a Research Nurse to join the Cheltenham Research Delivery Team within our Trust Research, Innovation and Genomics Department. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team of staff who manage the care of patients taking part in Oncology/Stroke/Cardiovascular and Breast Screening clinical research studies. We are looking for highly motivated and dynamic candidates with an interest in clinical research. Essential research skills training will be given.

Our registered nurses work alongside our data and administration staff and clinical teams across multiple specialties to deliver high-quality patient care in both in-patient and out-patient settings.

The post holder will be accountable for the assessment, planning, organisation and ongoing care of research participants according to the study protocol. The role will involve all aspects of study co‑ordination and recruitment of patients to research studies. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly with all members of the research team and relevant multidisciplinary teams across a number of specialties. Workloads will be managed by the individual and not supervised.

The RIG department offers opportunities for learning, development and career progression.

Main duties of the job

The post of Research Nurse is a part of the Research Delivery Team based within Cheltenham General Hospital, with the expectation of flexible working across Gloucestershire Royal Hospital also when required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• First level nursing degree/qualification with current NMC registration
• Appropriate experience as a registered nurse
• Strong organisational skills and work on own initiative
• Able to line manage, train and develop staff
• Well‑developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively to a wide multidisciplinary team and patients.
• Ability to work independently and be an excellent team player.
• Ability to work flexible hours & travel between hospital sites as required to meet service needs.
• Adaptability to ensure achievement of objectives within constantly changing environments.
• Clinical skills: venepuncture, specimen collection, clinical observations and assessments.

This job description is an outline only and does not contain an exhaustive list of duties; the post holder may therefore be required to undertake additional responsibilities.

About us

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we do not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on‑site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust wishes to strengthen its position as a leading Research, Innovation and Genomics institution. Our Trust currently supports over 100 clinical trials across multiple specialities and we are looking for the right staff to support our clinical research teams.

Job responsibilities

Feasibility and Study set‑up

• Contribute to the set‑up of research studies within the wider research team. Liaise with the RIG Professional Services Team, Principal Investigators, support departments, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure a thorough feasibility process.
• Identify and plan strategies for recruiting patients into trials. Work with Principal Investigators to develop initiatives to increase patient involvement.

Support

• Assist in the selection and recruitment of participants in compliance with study inclusion / exclusion criteria. Receive informed consent and provide ongoing information, education and support to clinical trial patients (and their carers).
• Assist in achieving NIHR High Level Objectives and GHNHSFT Key Performance Indicators for patient recruitment, speed and quality of research.
• Liaise with multi‑disciplinary team members to teach and demonstrate procedures for the safe and smooth running of clinical trials and act as a training resource to other members of the clinical team and a contact point in matters concerning trial patients and trial protocols.
• Line‑manage, train, supervise and develop junior members of the team, acting as a role model.
• Act as a supervisor for students as applicable to professional registration.

Study Delivery / Monitoring

• Good knowledge of clinical trials, including, but not limited to: Research Governance Framework, Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Trials.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of clinical trial patients, including safe administration of treatments and drugs that are given within the context of a clinical trial, as applicable to professional registration and Trust POPAM policy. Report serious adverse events to all relevant personnel, following the relevant Standard Operating Procedures. Assess patients as required by trial protocols and take appropriate and timely action for patients experiencing adverse events, where appropriate.
• Perform trial‑specific clinical observations and assessments as mandated by trial protocol. Conduct venepuncture, test urine samples and administer treatments for which training has been given, as applicable to professional registration, RIG Standard Operating Procedures and Trust POPAM policy. Request internal monitoring reports for locally sponsored/hosted studies and action them as required. Respond to externally sponsored monitoring reports in a timely manner.
• Ensure trial protocols are followed and that trials are conducted according to the Research Governance Framework Procedures, RIG Standard Operating Procedures and Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP).

Maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors

• Comply with Trust policies and guidelines.
• Ensure trial records are accurately maintained, including, but not limited to: records in nursing/medical electronic and paper notes, case report forms and trial site files. Adhere to requirements to protect confidentiality. Maintain study records on EDGE (Clinical Trials IT system).

Other Duties

• Support the embedding of clinical research within our Trust. Contribute to strategies that inform Trust staff of current clinical trial activity/progress.
• Respond to change in line with the needs of service provision, working flexibly within the delivery team.
• Identify own learning needs and proactively seek educational and training opportunities to develop and maintain competency.

Communications and Working Relationships

The post‑holder will be expected to communicate with a variety of stakeholders at all levels including but not limited to National Clinical Trials Units, Pharmaceutical companies, and other research Sponsor organisations, Clinical Research Network staff, researchers, support service staff and clinicians both within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and beyond.

Physical Effort and Working Conditions

• Travelling between Cheltenham General & Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals. Occasional community or home visits to patients.
• 50% of time spent working in clinical areas (talking to patients, taking blood, testing urine samples and administering some treatments as applicable).
• 50% of time spent working in an open plan office.
• Physical effort is not strenuous, occasional lifting of boxes of A4 paper, A4 files and similar (up to 5 kg), and transporting these to other sites.
• The post involves a combination of sitting, standing and walking.
• There is a regular need to use a computer.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First level nursing degree/qualification with current NMC registration

Experience

• Appropriate experience as a registered nurse.
• Experience of working across multiple clinical specialties or settings.

Knowledge / Skills

• Strong organisational skills with ability to multi‑task, prioritise and work on own initiative.
• Well‑developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively to a wide multidisciplinary team and patients.
• Able to line manage, train and develop staff.
• Ability to work flexible hours & travel between hospital/research sites as required to meet service needs.
• Clinical skills: venepuncture, specimen collection, clinical observations and assessments.

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.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year (pro rata if part time)