Clinical Nurse Specialist – Deputy Research Facilitator

Clinical Nurse Specialist – Deputy Research Facilitator NHS AfC:
Band 7

Main area Research & Innovation Grade NHS AfC:
Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (part of a secondment opportunity) Hours

• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

Site The Dudley Group NHS FT Town Dudley Salary £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 02/07/2026 23:59

To assist the CNS Lead Research Facilitator to increase research engagement of Clinical Nurse Specialists across the Black Country region.

The post holder will assist in the coordination of a Black Country Clinical Nurse Specialist‑Led Research Model to promote a research culture and increase involvement. The post will provide:

• Clinical and research leadership support
• Increase CNS research involvement across organisations
• Facilitating research support, education/training sessions for Clinical Nurse Specialists.
• Undertake project scoping activities and data collection, identifying key stakeholders, to support project development and improvement initiatives.
• Assist with developing a framework/toolkit to enable CNSs to become involved in research.
• Explore different models to evaluate the impact and outputs from the programme.
• Assist with completing a final detailed report for the funding body and research organisations, on completion of the term of the post.
• Present the overall findings of the final report.

The post holder will support leadership and strategic development of clinical research activity across the Black Country, providing advice to Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and acting as a key liaison between clinical teams, Research & Innovation departments, and study investigators. They will contribute to the development of research strategies, service improvement plans, and regional programmes, while representing the Trusts in relevant forums and supporting the coordination of research working groups and staff champion initiatives.

The role includes ensuring awareness of research governance requirements, supporting compliance, and acting as an escalation point for research‑related issues. The post holder will also identify and promote suitable research opportunities, contribute to senior research meetings, and foster a positive research culture among CNS teams. Responsibilities further include preparing reports for senior management and relevant networks, while upholding organisational values of care, respect, and responsibility.

Additional duties may be required in line with the level of responsibility, and the role will be reviewed as service needs evolve.

• Provide advice and support for Clinical Nurse Specialist’s involvement in research across the Black Country.
• Act as a key liaison between clinical teams, Research Departments and Principal/Chief Investigators.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of research strategies and service improvement plans.
• Represent the Black Country Trusts at appropriate local and national research forums.
• Contribute to regional research programmes e.g. West Midlands Commercial Research Delivery Centre (WMCRDC).
• Co‑ordinate and maintain a Clinical Nurse Specialist Research Working Group set up across the Black Country Trusts.
• Lead staff Research Champion Groups, as required.

Awareness of research governance and liaise with the R&I Governance Team as required.

• Act as an escalation point for Clinical Nurse Specialist’s clinical research‑related issues.
• Contribute to Research department Senior Team meetings/forums as required.
• Search for appropriate studies for Clinical Nurse Specialist’s involvement; liaise with Research & Innovation teams to engage with existing studies.

• Promote a culture of research within the Clinical Nurse Specialist’s staff group across the Black Country region.

• Prepare reports for senior management, Trust committees and Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN).

The post holder will:

• Care: Listen, be respectful and treat others with compassion and kindness.
• Respect: Behave…