Registered Nurse - Clinical Research

Clinical Research Nurse - Oncology (Phase I Trials)

* Clinical research experience not required
* Job Description

This clinical research nurse role focuses on supporting phase I oncology clinical trials by providing direct patient care during study visits. The nurse conducts patient visits, obtains vital signs, collects and processes specimens, and ensures timely delivery of samples to the appropriate laboratories. The position emphasizes hands-on clinical work in a collaborative environment, without responsibility for regulatory documentation or patient recruitment.

The nurse uses EPIC for charting and works across multiple disease groups, sharing the workload with a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

* Conduct patient visits for phase I clinical trials, seeing approximately 5-7 patients per day across multiple studies.

* Perform patient vital sign assessments and document findings accurately in EPIC.

* Collect specimens, including blood draws, and ensure proper labeling, handling, and timely transport to the appropriate laboratory.

* Participate in pre-screening of patients as required by study protocols.

* Provide oncology-focused nursing care to patients enrolled in clinical trials, ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout visits that may range from 1 to 8 hours.

* Collaborate with the clinical research team to divide and coordinate daily patient visits and share workload across all disease groups.

* Complete clinical charting and documentation in EPIC, while not being responsible for data management, regulatory documentation, or patient recruitment activities.

* Attend required team meetings, including the Friday morning meeting, and contribute to discussions on workflow, patient care, and trial operations.

* Travel between designated cancer center locations as needed to support trial operations and patient care.

* Adhere to clinical trial protocols, institutional policies, and professional nursing standards in all aspects of patient care and specimen handling.

Essential Skills

* Current nursing license for the state of Indiana.

* Oncology nursing experience, with the ability to provide specialized care to oncology patients.

* Experience taking patient vital signs and documenting clinical assessments accurately.

* Proficiency in performing blood draws and handling specimens in a clinical setting.

* Experience pre-screening patients in a healthcare or clinical research environment.

* Familiarity with clinical research processes, particularly within oncology trials.

* Ability to use EPIC or similar electronic medical record systems for charting and documentation.

* Strong teamwork skills and the ability to share workload across multiple disease groups.

* Reliability in following clinical protocols and maintaining high standards of patient safety.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

* Oncology Nursing experience with interest in or exposure to clinical research.

* Certified chemotherapy nurse (chemotherapy certification).

* Prior clinical research experience, particularly in oncology or phase I trials, is a plus.

* Willingness to learn and develop research-specific skills, with training provided for oncology nurses transitioning into research.

* Strong organizational and time management skills to handle patient visits ranging from 1 to 8 hours.

* Effective communication skills to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and support patients throughout their visits.

Work Environment

The role is based within cancer center facilities and involves working closely with a collaborative clinical research team. The schedule consists of four 10-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday, starting at 7:00 a.m., with a required team meeting on Friday mornings from approximately 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. Time can be flexed earlier in the week to account for the partial day on Fridays.

The nurse initially works at the North Cancer Center and travels to the East Cancer Center as needed, with the expectation of eventually transitioning to the East Cancer Center full time, depending on trial ramp-up timelines. The environment is fast-paced and patient-focused, with care delivered across multiple oncology disease groups. The role uses…