Research Nurse Clinician

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Nurse Clinician (RNC) ensures successful, patient-oriented, safe and effective conduct of clinical trials at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. The RNC assists investigators in protocol activation, study accrual, clinical nursing duties, and study responsibilities.

• Protocol Activation:
  • Collaborates with the Protocol Activation office to initiate and activate new clinical trial protocols using the OnCore startup task list.
  • Prepares or reviews study tools such as binders, medication diaries, eligibility checklists and flow sheets as needed.
  • Verifies SRB, IRB, data collection plans and finance/contract approvals prior to activation.
  • Reviews protocols, collects multidisciplinary feedback to identify and resolve obstacles in collaboration with the PI.
  • Provides one‑on‑one or group protocol‑related nursing education to other disciplines.
  • Translates finalized protocol treatment plans, calendars, and billing grids into sample orders.
• Study Accrual:
  • Works with the clinical research team to ensure timely prescreening of potential subjects for available trials.
  • Reviews patient charts and medical history to confirm eligibility and obtains required source documents.
  • Follows the informed consent process, ensuring IRB‑approved consent is obtained and documented.
  • Obtains informed consent for therapeutic and non‑therapeutic studies as required.
  • Provides backup support to register consented research patients with the study sponsor and inputs data into OnCore.
  • Provides completed precertification forms and anticipates clinical information for financial counseling and billing.
• Clinical Nursing Responsibilities:
  • Acts as a link between patients and the research team.
  • Highlights challenges with protocol procedures and timelines to the team.
  • Ensures protocol‑specific orders are entered, scheduled and completed accurately.
  • Coordinates continuity of protocol‑specified procedures and treatments across disciplines/sites.
  • Co‑coordinates patient reimbursement and provides Rutgers‑issued or study‑specific Clin Cards.
  • Delivers high‑quality, compassionate oncology nursing care, coordinating with clinical, pathology, radiology, lab, surgery, and infusion services per protocol.
  • Maintains OCN certification.
  • Provides nursing assessment by phone or in person and directs patients as needed.
  • Records complete and accurate documentation for protocol visits and reconciles concomitant medications.
• Study Responsibilities:
  • Collaborates with integrated academic medical staff to coordinate timely delivery of services.
  • Grades adverse events per NCI Common Toxicity Criteria or protocol‑specific scales and provides teaching on toxicity assessment.
  • Completes Serious/Unexpected Adverse Event forms and follow‑up reports as required by sponsors and regulations.
  • Assists with deviation reporting, bio‑specimen collection and processing, and database queries.
  • Supports monitoring visits, audits, sponsor queries, and conference calls.
  • Maintains patient research records, including consent, CRFs, and source documents.

Minimum

Education and Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a license to practice in New Jersey.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing required.
• Two (2) years of oncology experience, including one (1) year in oncology research.

Certifications/Licenses:

• License to practice in New Jersey.
• Active BLS certification.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Detail oriented, excellent organizational skills, computer proficiency (OnCore, Word, Excel).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; resourceful.
• Proficient in database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Access and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Oncology Nursing Society certification (OCN or AOCN) preferred.
• Clinical Research Analyst (CRA) or Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) certification preferred.

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs.
• Competitive retirement benefits including defined contribution plans.
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable).
• Life insurance coverage.
• Employee discount programs.

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law.

As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non‑Discrimination Statement at the following web address: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./non‑discrimination‑statement.