Research Sister/Charge Nurse (Motor Neurone Disease Association)
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dedicated and specialised research nursing team as a Senior Band 7 nurse providing leadership and expertise within the field of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Research. The post holder will manage and coordinate clinical research projects involving patients diagnosed with MND.
As a key part of the team, the Research Sister/Charge Nurse will assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care for patients in line with clinical trial protocols, laboratory manuals and all relevant regulatory standards. They will work with the larger research team to develop and deliver recruitment targets and strategies, ensure research safeguards are in place, represent the MND team at national and international meetings, and liaise with Professors, the Research Matron and wider research staff to deliver high‑quality care within available resources.
Main duties of the job
- Ensure that everyone diagnosed with MND has access to support and the opportunity to take part in clinical research.
- Support people with MND to navigate the research trial process, providing information about current MND clinical research and trials, identifying eligible participants, explaining procedures, and supporting applications and ongoing involvement.
- Proactively lead and develop a person‑centred MND research service as part of a MND research nurse network.
- Drive collaborative opportunities within the MDT team, working closely with care coordinators and other MDT members to enhance care delivery and align with latest research insights.
- Champion the diverse needs of people living with MND by facilitating inclusion and collaboration, coordinating care of people living with MND on trials and studies, and ensuring effective communication between Care Centre/Networks and research teams.
Working for our organisation
The Trust values and respects all its staff and the community it serves. It is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides benefits and support for employees’ professional development and personal well‑being. Working in partnership with the University of Sheffield’s Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust receives NIHR funding for a broad portfolio of research activity, including early‑phase clinical trials facilitated through the Sheffield NIHR Clinical Research Facility.
This vacancy is advertised on a fixed‑term contract basis for a period of 4 years due to the post being externally funded. The fixed‑term contract status will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust’s legal obligations and the ongoing source of funding.
Please note all existing NHS staff will only be considered on a second‑mission basis. This must first be agreed with your current line manager.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details regarding this post, please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents. In your application, clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
- Registered General Nurse – Adult with valid NMC registration.
- Completed the national practice assessor training or equivalent teaching and assessing qualification for those with ENB998 or equivalent demonstrable teaching and assessing experience.
- Extensive evidence of continuous professional development, including postgraduate qualifications and/or academic research qualifications.
- First degree or evidence of working towards one (demonstrating graduate attributes).
- Possess or be working towards an MSc in Clinical Research or a health/biological related subject. Or demonstrable significant experience working at an equivalent senior level.
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
Experience
- Extensive experience at Junior Sister/Charge Nurse or above in a broad range of clinical settings, including clinical research environment or demonstrable equivalent.
- Experience of managing multiple competing projects to time and target, within research or other relevant fields.
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop a professional team.
- Experience of managing and delivering high‑quality patient care and promoting continuous improvement to service delivery.
- Strong IT skills, competent in standard PC packages (e.g. Microsoft Office or equivalent) and databases.
- Experience obtaining informed consent.
- Experience of delivering early‑phase research studies.
Skills and Knowledge
- Good understanding of the local and national strategic context of NHS research.
- Experience of managing systems and processes to comply with local and national targets/frameworks.
- Ability to communicate effectively, including active listening, writing, and verbal communication with individuals and groups.
- Advanced organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at various stages of development and organisation.
- Excellent performance management skills. Ability to appraise junior staff through performance review.
- Highly developed leadership skills with excellent interpersonal skills – ability to form positive relationships at all levels.
- Ability to manage a complex workload under pressure and prioritise to meet deadlines.
- Persuasion and influencing skills – ability to present ideas and proposals effectively.
- Ability to present and receive complex, sensitive information to and for patients and groups of healthcare staff.
Personal Qualities
- Integrity – Cares about and knows the importance of doing the right thing and making a difference. Possesses a straight‑talking and honest, whilst being diplomatic, communication style.
- Ownership – Loves being in charge/control and takes full responsibility for the running of their clinical area. Driven to get things done to ensure that both they and their team achieve. Sets very high standards for themselves, their team and clinical area.
- Delivery – Loves to be in control and on top of everything that is going on in their clinical area. Likes to be ‘hands on’ in the delivery of patient care in their department. Thrives on having lots going on and rises to the challenge of constantly switching between different activities and issues. Possesses a ‘can‑do positive’ approach to problems and will keep going when things are tough. Has the drive and resilience to see projects through despite challenges along the way. Able to think ahead, anticipate issues before they arise, plan accordingly and be confident in own decision making.
- Relating – Gets a buzz out of developing others and takes great satisfaction from seeing their staff achieve and progress. Picks up on other people’s needs sensing when something is wrong, calm under pressure. Good at explaining things in simple and straightforward ways that others find easy to understand.
Please note that in order to comply with the UK Government’s rules on Skilled Worker sponsorship, any applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements or concessions on salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa will not be eligible to receive sponsorship from the Trust. Please keep this in mind when submitting your application. Further details on these concessions and who qualifies for them can be found here.
The Trust is committed to its obligations in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and we positively encourage applications from all sections of the community.
Job Share applicants are welcome for all full‑time posts unless indicated but cannot be guaranteed. In addition for Fixed Term Contracts, internal secondments may be considered, please seek the approval of your current line manager before applying for the position.
All employment with the Trust is subject to a number of NHS Employment Checks being met to a satisfactory standard, including verification of identity, eligibility to work in the United Kingdom, references and qualifications in addition to professional registration, a disclosure and barring records check and occupational health check if these are deemed to be a requirement for the position to be undertaken.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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